Aero wheels are very popular. They look sharp and deliver measurably more speed. They are mandatory in time trials, recommended in all other competitions - and so popular that hardly anyone wants to do without the sound and look, even on a training lap or a relaxed weekend ride. However, high rim rings also have two handicaps: they weigh more and they are more difficult to control in crosswinds than wheels with flat rims. If the wind is gusting or passing cars are swirling the air, you will involuntarily ride in serpentine lines with aero wheels and have to grip the handlebars tighter because the front wheel in particular has a significant influence on the handling.
Of course, many manufacturers also offer their wheels with lower rims - but this is also less fast (and stylish). So which rim height offers the best compromise between aerodynamics and riding behaviour? And is it really only the height that matters, or does the shape of the rim also play a role?
To answer these questions, five major manufacturers each compete with three wheels of different heights. And because the market is full of unknown, comparatively cheap wheel brands, we have added two affordable sets from direct importers and a do-it-yourself kit to the test field. We also tested the 58 Aero wheelset from Reynolds, whose rim has a completely different shape to other aero rims.
The first test takes place in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad. We test the wheels in our reference bike with an aluminium round tube frame, which we use for all tests of this type for better comparability. Because our rider dummy can pedal, the airflow around the wheels is very realistic. Thanks to a new test setup - with an additional balance under the front wheel suspension - we can also measure the influence of crosswinds for the first time, i.e. the forces that the rider feels in the steering when the wind hits the wheel at an angle.
The entire article with the test results of these aerodynamic wheels can be found below as a PDF download:
- Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra Two
- Campa/Fulcrum Racing Quattro
- Campagnolo Bora One 50
- DT Swiss RC 28 Spline C Mon Chasseral
- DT Swiss RC 38 Spline C
- DT Swiss RRC 65 Dicut C
- Mavic Ksyrium Pro Exalith SL
- Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon SL C
- Mavic CXR Ultimate 60 C
- Shimano Dura-Ace C24 CL
- Shimano Dura-Ace C35
- Shimano Dura-Ace C50
- Zipp 202 Firecrest
- Zipp 303 Firecrest
- Zipp 404 Firecrest
- Reynolds 58 Aero
- Self-build: Kinlin XC 279/Bitex
- Lambda Racing CC 50/60
- Slowbuild Wheels CC 38
The measurements in the wind tunnel:
Downloads:
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