Hello, this is ICAN. "I heard that changing wheels is a good way to upgrade, but is it really true?" "I don't really understand wheels." "Which is more durable, aluminum or carbon?" This article will answer these questions. It will explain the basic structure of road bike aluminum wheels, including hubs and rims, in an easy-to-understand manner. By the time you finish reading this article, you should be good friends with wheels.

Reasons why road bike aluminum wheels cannot beat carbon

There are two reasons why aluminum wheels cannot beat carbon wheels: "age-related deterioration" and "metal fatigue due to impact." Let's briefly explain.

 

Reason 1 why aluminum wheels can't win: Age-related deterioration

Unlike other metals and materials, aluminum wheels can break due to age-related deterioration. Furthermore, bicycle wheels and frames can sometimes break unnoticed due to rust. Since aluminum is a metal, this is unavoidable.

 

Reason 2 why aluminum wheels can't win: Metal fatigue due to impact

Another unique characteristic of aluminum is that wheels can break due to metal fatigue caused by impacts. Even if you are careful about how you use your bicycle daily, reasons such as slight bumps in the road or applying too much force when pedaling can contribute to this. This is why aluminum wheels cannot beat carbon wheels. However, aluminum wheels can last for 10 years with normal use. So, as long as you don't dig up an old bicycle you used to ride, there should be no problem.

 

Wheel structure

From here, we will briefly explain the structure of a wheel. Broadly speaking, a wheel consists of four parts: "hub," "spokes," "nipples," and "rim." If you're not very familiar with bicycles yet, it won't hurt to read on.

 

Wheel part 1: Hub

The hub is the rotating axle in the center of the bicycle. Incidentally, ready-made road bikes, like those found in bike shops, come with durable hubs from the start, so there's no need to replace them. It's rare for a hub to break. In other words, by the time a hub breaks, the road bike's wheels will have broken first. Also, replacing the hub allows you to switch from rim brakes to disc brakes (and vice versa). So, if you're serious about riding, try replacing the hub. However, there's a caveat here: if you replace the hub, you'll also need to replace the rim, spokes, and hub that I'll introduce next. This is because you'll need to find spokes and a rim that match the hub.

Wheel part 2: Spokes

Spokes are those prominent rods on bicycle wheels. Spokes are quite important parts, as they connect to the road bike's hub and rim (the white part attached to the tire). However, there are many types of spokes, so I won't explain them here.

Wheel part 3: Nipples

Nipples on road bikes and the like are the parts connected to the spokes. They are the parts next to the valve where you put air in. Also, any nipple will do as long as it fits the spoke.

 

Wheel part 4: Rim

The rim is where the brakes are applied. It's the metal part attached to the tire. Since the rim allows you to brake, regular cleaning of the rim is essential. There are several types: "clincher rims," "tubular rims," "aero rims," "DH rims," "disc rims," and "tubeless rims." The aerodynamic resistance of a road bike changes depending on the type, so it's a good idea to know which type is best for you.

 

Wheel parts

Now let's look at the parts used to secure the wheel to the frame. There are "quick release" and "thru-axle," and you should choose according to your intended use.

 

Quick release: Easy to attach and detach from the frame

A quick-release mechanism allows for easy attachment and detachment from the frame by flipping a lever or moving it vertically. However, like the thru-axle we'll discuss next, their ease of removal can lead to theft incidents. So, if you're concerned about theft, quick-release or thru-axle might not be the best choice. That said, these types are very useful for maintenance, so they're quite good.

Thru-axle: Increased rigidity

Thru-axles, which are parts that can be attached and detached from the frame, allow for even stronger fastening than quick releases. While they are slightly heavier than quick releases, their rigidity makes the weight difference negligible. This is because increased rigidity improves handling, allowing you to achieve higher speeds.

High rim (rim height)

As briefly explained earlier, the rim is an essential part for braking, and the higher the rim, the more it can reduce air resistance. By the way, a high rim is called a high-profile rim and is also known as a deep rim. A deep rim shortens the length of the spokes, thereby reducing air resistance. Furthermore, it becomes easier to maintain high speeds when riding at 40 km/h and above, and the speed reduction is smaller. However, the effect of air resistance might not be noticeable unless you can comfortably ride at 30 km/h. So, first, improve your riding ability, and then choose a road bike wheel with a deep rim. Also, a deep rim is generally considered to be 50mm or more, a mid-height rim is 35mm to 50mm, and a low-height rim is up to 35mm (there is no fixed definition).

For hill climbing, choose based on "lightness" and "rigidity"

If you're going to do hill climbing, you should choose wheels based on their "lightness" and "rigidity." Hill climbing is essentially mountain climbing, so if your wheels aren't light, it will be very tough. Your energy will be drained. Also, when riding during hill climbing, there might be branches and trees on the road in some places, so considering falls in such situations, it's better to have wheels with high rigidity. Therefore, considering only these two points when choosing road bike wheels will help you manage risk.

 

【New Release】27C-TLR Front and Rear Set Black Learn more

The "27C-TLR Front and Rear Set Black" is our new product. Its weight is 1660g, making it quite lightweight for aluminum wheels. The rim height is 27mm, so it's considered a low-profile rim. These road bike wheels are recommended for both beginner and intermediate road bike riders. If you're a hill climber who wants to experience smooth, professional-level riding, give these a try.

 

Summary

That concludes "Reasons why aluminum wheels cannot beat carbon" and "Wheel structure." Most people who buy aluminum wheels are probably beginners. So, just having a basic understanding of wheel structure will be useful during maintenance.

 

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