If you ride a road bike, you'll eventually end up with carbon wheels. They're lightweight, high-performance, and look cool. Many people dream of wheels that have it all. However, carbon wheels are very expensive. Some can cost over 500,000 yen for a front and rear set. Therefore, it's a purchase where failure is not an option. When buying carbon wheels, clarify your criteria and purpose, then purchase the optimal ones. This time, we'll focus on how to choose carbon wheels.

1. How to choose carbon wheels

Now, let's explain the points to look for when choosing carbon wheels, divided into several categories. No matter which carbon wheels you buy, if you first pick out and compare the following information, you'll be able to choose the ones that suit you best.

① Weight

The biggest change when upgrading from aluminum to carbon wheels is "weight." While aluminum wheels typically weigh between 1600g and 1800g for a front and rear set, carbon wheels are even lighter, with more and more wheels weighing under 1500g. The ICAN AERO40 wheelset, weighing only 1314g for both front and rear, is one such example. Lightness is very effective for road bikes; it provides an advantage in hill climbs, and a lighter rim allows for quick starts and smooth acceleration. Since it's the most straightforward spec, start by checking the weight to see how light it is.

② Rim Height

Rim height, or the height of the rim, affects performance. Carbon wheels have rim heights ranging from about 30mm to 80mm, and you choose based on your purpose. Deep-rim carbon wheels, which have a high rim height, improve aerodynamic performance and help maintain speed in a straight line. On the other hand, the increased surface area when viewed from the side means they can be affected by crosswinds, but recent models have shapes that mitigate this. Also, a taller rim means more material, increasing weight. Therefore, if you're looking for an upgrade for hill climbing, you'll choose a lower rim height to prioritize lightness.

③ Stiffness

While also influenced by spoke types, you should also consider the overall balance of stiffness in the wheel. If the stiffness is high, you'll get better response when you pedal, giving you a sensation of accelerating powerfully. Of course, high stiffness puts more strain on your legs, so if you're looking for comfort, it's better not to choose overly stiff wheels.

④ Brake System

Road bikes use two types of brake systems: "caliper" and "disc." When choosing carbon wheels, you must select them to match the brakes on your bike. Also, for carbon wheels, if you consider that caliper brakes can wear down the rim, it would be better to choose disc brakes.

⑤ Budget

Carbon wheels vary widely in price. There are some that can be purchased for around 60,000 yen, and others that easily exceed 500,000 yen. First, determine how much budget you have set and what specifications you need to meet within that budget. This will make choosing wheels smoother.

⑥ Purpose

It's also important to choose carbon wheels based on your purpose for riding a road bike. If you're aiming for races and want to ride faster, aerodynamic performance and stiffness are crucial. If hill climbing is your main focus, you'll prioritize lightness. If you want to ride comfortably on long rides, balanced wheels are best, rather than overly sharp ones. First, clarify what your riding goals are, then compare the items above.

2. Summary

We've put together a guide for purchasing carbon wheels. When choosing carbon wheels, it's a good idea to clarify these factors and then compare them across different products. Carbon wheels are an expensive purchase, but once you experience their high performance, you'll surely be glad you bought them. When purchasing carbon wheels, please refer to this article.