Carbon Bling Temptation

SteveA said:

I have been tempted by carbon bling.

I don't race although I do the occasional long ride. Mostly I commute.
My good road bike is more than 'raceable' with a good combination of
light but sturdy bits on it. I have been tempted by a purveyor of
carbon bling. Carbon bling wheels. Brand new, landed in Australia
from NZ for A$506.89 the pair. 38mm aero rims. 20/24 spokes.

The children need to eat more than I need these wheels. They weigh
1700g (the wheels, not the children) which is not much different to my
current good wheels. I don't race. I am a big rider (over 100kg) and
I put stress on components including wheels. But, Lord, I have been
tempted.

I am not sure of the reputation of the manufacturer of these wheels.
Would they stand up to my riding? Purchase could lead to divorce or at
the least spousal abuse. But, Lord, I have still been tempted.

I have looked upon an image of these wheels on the internet and my
desire has been inflamed.

But I am being strong and saying "get behind me, temptation".

If anyone else is interested in being tempted, look here -
http://www.torpedo7.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

and

http://tinyurl.com/mqd7w

Steve("ohhh, the temptation"😉A

That's it, spread a little tempatation around.

Grrr.

Tam*thou shalt not give into temptation, but only because thou finally
realised that a L'una costs the same as thou proposed trip to Africa*

Wheels are one place where I would suggest that you really are wasting
your money to have carbon for a commuter.

Wheels are essentially a disposable item, commuting is usually harsher
than racing.

By all means have a good bike for commuting if that floats your boat
but don't get too stupid with the wheels.

PiledHIgher

SteveA:

Quoted message said:

Carbon bling wheels. Brand new, landed in Australia from NZ for A$506.89 >the pair. 38mm aero rims. 20/24 spokes.They weigh 1700g

Have a look at the article on wheels on www.torelli.com - these wheels
might be more visual bling than anything real. Beware of the practice
of wrapping metal in carbon to con people into thinking it's "carbon".

As a big rider, you might be better off getting a pair of 36 hole Mavic
Open Pros built up on nice hubs with DT Comp spokes - or something like
that. Ask your LBS.

Donga

SteveA said:

I have been tempted by carbon bling.

I don't race although I do the occasional long ride. Mostly I commute.
My good road bike is more than 'raceable' with a good combination of
light but sturdy bits on it. I have been tempted by a purveyor of
carbon bling. Carbon bling wheels. Brand new, landed in Australia
from NZ for A$506.89 the pair. 38mm aero rims. 20/24 spokes.

The children need to eat more than I need these wheels. They weigh
1700g (the wheels, not the children) which is not much different to my
current good wheels. I don't race. I am a big rider (over 100kg) and
I put stress on components including wheels. But, Lord, I have been
tempted.

<snip>

Sounds cheap for carbon wheels.

But surely you can get a pair of built up wheels (Mavic rims +
Ultegra/DA hubs) that would be about the same weight as that pair of
carbon wheels?

SteveA said:

I have been tempted by carbon bling.

I don't race although I do the occasional long ride. Mostly I commute.
My good road bike is more than 'raceable' with a good combination of
light but sturdy bits on it. I have been tempted by a purveyor of
carbon bling. Carbon bling wheels. Brand new, landed in Australia
from NZ for A$506.89 the pair. 38mm aero rims. 20/24 spokes.

The children need to eat more than I need these wheels. They weigh
1700g (the wheels, not the children) which is not much different to my
current good wheels. I don't race. I am a big rider (over 100kg) and
I put stress on components including wheels. But, Lord, I have been
tempted.

1700g is heavy. A rim that's less than 50mm is not giving you any
significant aero advantages, but will give you a harsher ride and you
pay also in weight.

As someone who started at around your weight, I'd be using DT RR1.1 or
Mavic Open Pros (32 spoke is plenty), 2 cross or 3 cross, with 105 or
ultegra hubs. No worries ... and plenty light enough. If you want
really nice, get the DT hubs 🙂

Quoted message said:

I am not sure of the reputation of the manufacturer of these wheels.
Would they stand up to my riding? Purchase could lead to divorce or at
the least spousal abuse. But, Lord, I have still been tempted.

I have looked upon an image of these wheels on the internet and my
desire has been inflamed.

But I am being strong and saying "get behind me, temptation".

If anyone else is interested in being tempted, look here -
http://www.torpedo7.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

and

http://tinyurl.com/mqd7w

They're a carbon faired alloy rim by the look of it.
Look fast, but heavy, low spoke count so will possibly struggle with
your weight and be harsh.

Don't 🙂

Donga said:

SteveA:

Quoted message said:

Carbon bling wheels. Brand new, landed in Australia from NZ for A$506.89 >the pair. 38mm aero rims. 20/24 spokes.They weigh 1700g

Have a look at the article on wheels on www.torelli.com - these wheels
might be more visual bling than anything real. Beware of the practice
of wrapping metal in carbon to con people into thinking it's "carbon".

As a big rider, you might be better off getting a pair of 36 hole Mavic
Open Pros built up on nice hubs with DT Comp spokes - or something like
that. Ask your LBS.

Donga

My "real" wheels on the good roady are hand built using DTSwiss hubs with 32 DTSwiss spokes and Ritchey OCS 27/28mm rims - purrrrfect for a big fella.

I am on Torpedo 7's email list and the Token carbon wheels popped up in my email this morning. I'm not really tempted, for all the reasons I lightheartedly listed, but its always fun to share these things.

SteveA

Tamyka Bell said:

Quoted message said:

Tam*thou shalt not give into temptation, but only because thou finally
realised that a L'una costs the same as thou proposed trip to Africa*

victmb have a custom PINK specialised epic for sale.. I am glad there is no pic online to drool over..... sigh...... one new bike a year is enough, isn't it??

SteveA:

Quoted message said:

My "real" wheels on the good roady are hand built using DTSwiss hubs
with 32 DTSwiss spokes and Ritchey OCS 27/28mm rims - purrrrfect for a
big fella

Nice...and you're tempted by a flash of carbon? Mate, you're anybody's!
;-)

Donga

SteveA said:

The children need to eat more than I need these wheels. They weigh
1700g (the wheels, not the children) which is not much different to my
current good wheels. I don't race. I am a big rider (over 100kg) and
I put stress on components including wheels. But, Lord, I have been
tempted.

By a modest carbon fairing on heavy, and possibly fragile, alloy
wheels? Nah, [censored]-poor temptation. Stick with food and riding when
you should be spending quality time with your in-laws :-)

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw

Donga said:

SteveA:

Quoted message said:

My "real" wheels on the good roady are hand built using DTSwiss hubs
with 32 DTSwiss spokes and Ritchey OCS 27/28mm rims - purrrrfect for a
big fella

Nice...and you're tempted by a flash of carbon? Mate, you're anybody's!
;-)

Donga

Looking at carbon things like those wheels is an attractive time waster when you are supposed to be looking through about 20 files of documents in order to gather evidence to say "bugger off" to the receiver of a company that is trying to get $25,000 out of your client.

SteveA

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SteveA said:

Looking at carbon things like those wheels is an attractive time waster when you are supposed to be looking through about 20 files of documents in order to gather evidence to say "bugger off" to the receiver of a company that is trying to get $25,000 out of your client.

SteveA

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Stop making lawyering sound so damn sexy. We'll all want to do it. Just tell them to bugger off now. Its only if they don't bugger off that you'll need to waste time finding evidence😄

Don't waste your money on that rubbish, at 100kgs those carbon wheels
wouldn't last.. and they aren't that light

Get some real wheels..

e.g.

DT Swiss
RR 1450
This high-end roadrace wheel consists of the best, lightest and
perfectly matched DT Swiss components. This wheel is handbuilt and
trued to exact tolerances. Each wheel passes throug a strict final
control which represents our high expectations of quality. The total
weight is 1450g per set (without quick release).

Non carbon, lighter and stronger than those wheels you are looking at,
but twice the cost 🙂