I have a rear Bontrager Race Lite wheel that went back to Bontrager to be replaced on warranty after 9,500 trouble free miles (they have a five year warranty), and was planning on paying the difference in retail value to take back a Race X Lite rear wheel from the factory in return. Then I would have a Race X Lite wheel on the rear of this bike and a plain Race Lite wheel on the front.
If the Race Lite on the front ever wears out, I will probably replace it with a Race X Lite, but in the meantime, I will have not have a set of perfectly matched wheels. Is there anything inherently inefficient about mixing and matching wheels (or tires), or is the reason more people don't do it simply an aesthetic/bling thing? 😕
I have a rear Bontrager Race Lite wheel that went back to Bontrager to be replaced on warranty after 9,500 trouble free miles (they have a five year warranty), and was planning on paying the difference in retail value to take back a Race X Lite rear wheel from the factory in return. Then I would have a Race X Lite wheel on the rear of this bike and a plain Race Lite wheel on the front.
If the Race Lite on the front ever wears out, I will probably replace it with a Race X Lite, but in the meantime, I will have not have a set of perfectly matched wheels. Is there anything inherently inefficient about mixing and matching wheels (or tires), or is the reason more people don't do it simply an aesthetic/bling thing? 😕
I have a rear Bontrager Race Lite wheel that went back to Bontrager to be replaced on warranty after 9,500 trouble free miles (they have a five year warranty), and was planning on paying the difference in retail value to take back a Race X Lite rear wheel from the factory in return. Then I would have a Race X Lite wheel on the rear of this bike and a plain Race Lite wheel on the front.
If the Race Lite on the front ever wears out, I will probably replace it with a Race X Lite, but in the meantime, I will have not have a set of perfectly matched wheels. Is there anything inherently inefficient about mixing and matching wheels (or tires), or is the reason more people don't do it simply an aesthetic/bling thing? 😕
My main commuter bikes have different numbers and different weights of spokes front and rear. I always thought that was usual.
My main commuter bikes have different numbers and different weights of spokes front and rear. I always thought that was usual.
Yes, that is usual; there are usually differences front and rear. By "perfectly matched" wheels, I mean the same wheel model with similar paint and decals, not necessarily same number of spokes, rim height, etcetera.
Yes, that is usual; there are usually differences front and rear. By "perfectly matched" wheels, I mean the same wheel model with similar paint and decals, not necessarily same number of spokes, rim height, etcetera.
As the other poster says, that is only vanity. When I race I run different wheels and pressures/tyres/treads front and rear, sometimes even different sized wheels altogether.
Also many retailers sell a matched set of wheels at a better price than what you would pay if you were to buy each wheel separately, so it is not all vanity. Sometimes it is plain economics.
Also many retailers sell a matched set of wheels at a better price than what you would pay if you were to buy each wheel separately, so it is not all vanity. Sometimes it is plain economics.
Fair point, but if all you needed was one wheel, as in the OP's case, there would be little reason to pay more for a whole wheelset instead of just the one wheel, unless cosmesis (or in the very uncommon circumstance, a very specific function e.g. an aero one) is an issue for you.
About 5 years ago I cracked a couple of rear CXP33s, so I replaced all the rears with 30mm deep rims (originally, CXP30s, now DTRR 1.2s) and kept the CXP33s and Open Pros on the front. Doesn't bother me. I've noticed some of the manufacturers have copied me by making wheelsets with different depth front and rear rims 🙂
