In the battle against the clock, in time trials and triathlons, aerodynamically optimised wheels are among the most popular tuning measures. We know from practical experience and from many wind tunnel tests and tests on cycle race tracks that fast wheels are really cutting it. There is a simple correlation: as the rim height increases, every rim shape becomes faster. Wheels with rims at least 70 millimetres high are therefore generally used for time trials.
In a road race, such high wheels can also make sense, depending on the wind situation and the route. It is true that the high rim rings offer the wind more lateral contact surface, which makes steering more difficult in the crowded field of racers. However, almost all manufacturers are now countering this with wider rims that improve handling in crosswinds. Well-rounded rim bases are also in vogue, as these have proven to be aerodynamically advantageous.
The test results of these wheels can be found below as a PDF download:
Wheelsets:
- 3T Mercurio 80 Ltd
- AX Lightness Stream 80 Aero
- Bontrager Aeolus 7 D3 Clincher
- Campagnolo Bullet Ultra 80
- Citec 8000 CX Carbon
- Corima Up S
- FFWD F9R Tubular
- HED Jet 9 FR Clincher
- Lighteight long-distance route
- Mavic CXR 80
- Shimano Dura-Ace C75
- Veltec Speed 8.0 Clincher
- Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher
Combinations with disc wheels:
- Lightweight trunk road/motorway
- HED Jet 9 FR Clincher/Jet Disc CL Stallion
- Zipp 808/Super-9 Carbon Clincher
Here we offer you photos of all tested wheels (click on the thumbnails to enlarge):
The graphical representation of the aero tests can be found in our picture gallery:
Our photo gallery gives you an impression of the work in the wind tunnel:
Downloads:
download
