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High carbon rims are like the sails of a road bike. They can even convert crosswinds into propulsion and are the first choice when it comes to maximum speed on flat to undulating terrain. If you want to make up valuable seconds in a competition, you can't avoid aero wheels with high rims. They also make a huge difference to the look of the racer - even an inconspicuous frame becomes an eye-catcher when fitted with these tyres.
Having recently tested attractively priced aero wheels with rims up to 55 millimetres high and prices up to € 1,200 (TOUR 4/2021), we now want to know how much faster the best of the best are. We invited six brands that have presented new designs in the past year. Their rims are between 55 and 62 millimetres high. The fact that the manufacturers are pulling out all the stops here is reflected in the prices of the wheels, which range from €2,000 to €3,600: in addition to complicated hub technology and ceramic bearings, they also contain expensive carbon fibres and resins, which allow for particularly high - and therefore aerodynamic -, light and stable rims.
More comfort and more speed
It is noticeable that the rims have become even wider compared to their predecessor models. The outer rim rings now measure up to 33 millimetres, while the inner rim widths have increased to just under 24 millimetres (Zipp). Suitable tyres should be at least 25 millimetres wide, but 28 or 30 millimetre wide tyres also fit perfectly on these rims. For aerodynamic reasons, the rim should ideally be slightly wider than the mounted tyre. Wider rims in turn increase the scope to run the tyres at lower pressure and thus improve the driving dynamics: if the tyre is wider, it transmits the steering commands perfectly to the road even with less air pressure, but at the same time provides better suspension. More comfort? Yes. But also more speed. On bumpy roads, the tyres with better suspension roll faster. The cobbled classic Paris-Roubaix was won in 2021 with 30 and 32 mm tubeless tyres - and with particularly low air pressures: winner Sonny Colbrelli rode 32 mm tyres with 3.8 and 3.4 bar, while Lizzie Deignan was the fastest in the women's race with 30 mm tyres and admitted after the race that she had inflated them to just 2.3 bar.
But even beyond the extreme pavés, wide tyres are often the better choice: even a normal country road, which is no longer completely smooth, draws energy from the legs with every rumble. On the other hand, during our test rides with the extra-wide Zipp rims, we glided over brittle roads as if on velvet paws - under a 70 kg rider with 4.5 to 5 bar in the 25 mm tubeless tyre; this is the upper limit of what the hookless rim can tolerate. Heavier riders should therefore opt for wider tyres with more volume, otherwise they would exceed the pressure limit of the hookless rim.
Wide - and aerodynamic?
Which brings us to the second trend topic: All rims are tubeless-ready, meaning they can be ridden without a tube using sealant. As tubeless tyres can be ridden at lower pressures and are still very puncture-resistant, they are the logical choice in view of the ever-widening rims. A rethink is also emerging in professional cycling. After the positive experiences with tubeless tyres in the 2021 racing season, tubular tyres are likely to be phased out in their last bastion in the near future.
What does the increasing rim width mean for the air resistance of the wheel? Shouldn't it increase because the frontal area of the wheel increases? We tested the aerodynamics in the GST wind tunnel, as always with our pedalling dummy as the rider. The result: despite wider rims, we measured a tad less drag for the new wheels. DT Swiss came out on top with the ARC 1100 Dicut 62 model, but the front runners are so close together that Shimano and Bontrager are on a par in terms of measurement accuracy. Vision and Zipp follow a good watt behind and Campagnolo, the "slowest" bike in the test, is two watts behind DT Swiss.
Obviously, the aerodynamics of the wheels have largely been exhausted. The progress and differences in handling are more striking: the new rim profiles combine speed better with good crosswind stability, gusts pull less on the front wheel. Bontrager has the best set-up. DT Swiss, Shimano and Zipp have also improved their profiles in terms of wind stability and are in the midfield. Vision and Campagnolo follow slightly behind. Important to know: Even the best of the high rims react more strongly to gusts than flat rims. After all, there is no sailing effect without corresponding forces. If you want to sail, you have to learn to counteract crosswinds with the handlebars.
The question remains as to whether 55 or 60 millimetre high rims offer relevant advantages compared to lower rims. We therefore also tested the Dura-Ace wheel with a rim height of 50 millimetres and the Vision rim with a rim height of 45 millimetres. Both ranked two and five watts behind the taller models in the aero rating, which takes into account all measurements across different angles of attack. However, a look at the air resistance curve shows that they are almost on a par at low angles of attack (high speed, low crosswind); the lower overall air resistance of the high wheels is mainly due to sailing effects at large angles of attack, i.e. strong crosswinds. The high rims only provide a relevant advantage in strong winds.
Problem: Crosswind
The flatter models sail worse, but are more stable in crosswinds; 15 millimetres less height halves the steering torque for Vision. For racing, this means that at high speeds and correspondingly smaller angles of attack, the wheel with a 45 millimetre rim is only minimally slower (0.8 watts) than the one with a 60 millimetre rim. When gusts occur, they have less effect on the steering. For road races with a tightly packed peloton, the 45-millimetre rim is therefore the better and more universal solution. The 45 mm rims are also less stressful in road traffic, as they are less likely to spin out when, for example, lorries cause violent air turbulence when overtaking. Time trialists, especially triathletes, benefit more from the 60 mm "sails", as they also experience larger angles of attack depending on the course and can therefore utilise the sail effect better.
In terms of construction and mechanics, the differences between the wheels in the test field are minimal. 24 spokes are set, the stiffness values are all in the green zone, the designs are restrained. In terms of weight, however, Zipp clearly sets itself apart from the rest of the field: 1,380 grams at a rim height of 55 millimetres is quite an announcement. This is mainly made possible by an obviously lighter rim, as our inertia measurements prove. However, Zipp has paid dearly for the rim diet. 3,600 euros is the top price - for that you could easily get four sets of Leeze CC50 wheels, which won the test in TOUR 4/2021 (one watt slower than Zipp, more stable in crosswinds, 300 grams heavier).
In the overall ranking, Bontrager came out on top in this test with very well-tuned aerodynamics and took the test victory in the 60-millimetre class.
All aero road bike wheels in the TOUR test:
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 62
- Price per set:2,498 Euro
- Width x height / inside width: 33 x 62 / 23 millimetres
- Spokes (front/rear): Blade spokes, non-cranked 24/24
- tubeless compatible / freewheelyes / Shimano, SRAM XDR
- Scope of deliveryTubeless and normal rim tape, TL valve
- Weight limit / guarantee*no specification / for life; CR (Crash Replacement)
Facit: Very good aerodynamics. The wide rim with large internal dimensions creates a good compromise between speed and handling - the best set-up in the test field. Comparatively light for the rim height.
Campagnolo WTO Ultra 60
- Price per set: 3,149 Euro
- Width x height / inside width: 26.5 x 60 / 21 millimetres
- Spokes (front/rear): Blade spokes, non-cranked 24/24
- tubeless compatible / freewheelyes / Campagnolo, Shimano, SRAM XDR
- Scope of deliveryTubeless valves, nipple clamps, bags
- Weight limit / guarantee*120 kg system weight
Facit: Fast, but not as stable in crosswinds as the wider competitors - this lowers the grade. Many good details worth seeing: carbon hub body, adjustable ceramic hybrid bearings, closed rim base.
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Dicut DB 62
- Price per set: 2,389 Euro >> available here
- Width x height / inside width: 30 x 62 / 20 millimetres
- Spokes (front/rear): Blade spokes, non-cranked 24/24
- tubeless compatible / freewheelyes / Shimano, SRAM XDR
- Scope of deliveryTL rim tape, TL valves, bags, 2 freewheels
- Weight limit / guarantee*110 kg system weight / for life; CR (Crash Replacement)
ConclusionVery fast, with a bulbous profile and moderate inside width. Internal nipples for reduced rotational drag. Medium crosswind stability, relatively heavy rims, ceramic hybrid bearings. Matt finish.
Shimano Dura-Ace C60
- Price per set: 1,999 Euro >> available here
- Width x height / inside width: 28 x 60 / 21 millimetres
- Spokes (front/rear): Blade spokes, non-cranked 24/24
- tubeless compatible / freewheelyes / Shimano
- Scope of deliveryTL rim tape, TL valves
- Weight limit / guarantee*: not specified
ConclusionVery fast and with medium crosswind stability. The adjustable cone bearings are typical for Shimano. Good stiffness, no frills. Matt finish. Cheapest wheelset in the test.
Vision Metron 60
- Price per set: 2,058 Euro
- Width x height / inside width33 x 60 / 21 millimetres
- Spokes (front/rear): Blade spokes, non-cranked 24/24
- tubeless compatible / freewheelyes / Shimano, SRAM XDR
- Scope of deliveryTL rim tape, TL valves, wheel bag
- Weight limit / guarantee*no specification / for life; CR (Crash Replacement)
ConclusionWide rim, but normal inner dimension of 21 millimetres. Fast, but not as stable in the wind as the best in class. Stiffness values and weight are mediocre, which lowers the grade somewhat.
ZIPP 454 NSW
- Price per set:3,599 Euro
- Width x height / inside width28 x 55 / 23.6 millimetres
- Spokes (front/rear): Blade spokes 24/24
- tubeless compatible / freewheelyes / Shimano, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo
- Scope of deliveryTL rim tape, TL valves
- Weight limit / guarantee*115 kg driver / for life; CR (Crash Replacement)
ConclusionVery light set with large inner width and hookless rim, limited to 5 bar pressure - useful from 28 millimetre tyres. Very good aerodynamics, medium crosswind stability. Expensive.
All the technical details, the complete test and the individual ratings of the aero wheels can be downloaded below for 2.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has its price. That's why we guarantee independence and objectivity. The TOUR tests are based on standardised and reproducible test procedures, which we always disclose. TOUR articles can be bought - TOUR test victories cannot!
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