General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Chinese wheels Rss Feed  
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2015-09-07 11:47 AM


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Subject: Chinese wheels
I have been shopping for wheels. After looking on forums concerning the cheaper chinese wheels, I saw that all of the comments concern manufacturing process, alleged patent infringements, quality, etc. That's all good, but the real question...

Are any of these wheels fast?


2015-09-07 12:06 PM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
maybe... depends on who they got the design from.

Probably on par with a Deep V on the average.
2015-09-08 10:58 PM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
The most important variable is who is riding the bike they're on.
2015-09-08 11:50 PM
in reply to: Whato

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Originally posted by Whato The most important variable is who is riding the bike they're on.

^^ Gold

2015-09-09 6:26 AM
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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
that's a variable in regards to equipment?

I don't follow, I didn't see anywhere in the OP's post where he asked about his physical potential, just whether Chinese wheels were fast...

Edited by Leegoocrap 2015-09-09 6:28 AM
2015-09-09 7:16 AM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Well they're not box rims so they can't be "slow"!  Now if you after the fastest wheel yo need to consider yaw angles & tires.  Today's tires are wider and match up well with the wider rims while providing lower Crr.  But if you want the fastest wheel at 0 yaw angle instead all yaw's up to say 20* then even my old Felt TTR2 40mm wheels with fast Conti SS 20c tires are rockets in the wind tunnel and smooth roads.

If you want deep wheels that have some handling benefits in cross winds then design matters. It was mentioned on the other site that the newer U shape designs have improvements on this, IIRC it was something along the lines that a modern 60mm U shape handles similar to a 40mm Hybrid toroidal V shape of the past.

Hard to beat FLO wheels today, but for all out best cost the Chinese wheels can't be beat.



2015-09-09 8:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
deleted because I didn't read the actual question so my reply didn't make sense

Edited by amalgamate 2015-09-09 8:50 AM
2015-09-09 8:53 AM
in reply to: Leegoocrap

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Originally posted by Leegoocrap that's a variable in regards to equipment? I don't follow, I didn't see anywhere in the OP's post where he asked about his physical potential, just whether Chinese wheels were fast...

OK, then I'll go with....."it depends" 

2015-09-10 8:56 PM
in reply to: Left Brain


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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
I bought some 88mms from Light Bicycle. They weren't bad. Reasonably quick. I ended up buckling the rim on the front when I hit something in the road.I was surprised at how easily damaged it was. No idea if this would happen with a "genuine" wheel. Front was a bin job, so I gave it away and sold the rear. Thought about getting some more from China, but they're not dirt cheap and there were a few other issues e.g if you have a warranty problem it's a PITA to get sorted out. I originally paid $600 (Australian) for them and managed to pick up some 2nd hand Zipps 1080/808 for $900 which had only been used 4 times. So really, for me, the difference of $300 isn't worth it. Speed wise, the Zipps are definitely faster, how much by, I don't know. But I guess there's a bit more to design than just the shape. I guess I'm stating the obvious here, but a Chinese 88mm is not equal to the Zipp equivalent. I wouldn't say buying Chinese is a bad idea, but personally I'd explore the 2nd hand market first. A lot of gear is only used for races and you can pick up some really good kit for a bargain. Additionally if you choose to sell it later a Zipp is going to move quicker and retain its value more than a Chinese replica wheel.
2015-09-11 10:37 AM
in reply to: zedzded

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
I would recommend that you search Ebay after the big ironman races the next few weeks. If you look and wait you can find Zipp 808's around 400-500 each used. I bought a set of those wheels and there where fast (not as fast as the zipps) but under heavy braking they did not dissipate heat well and ended deforming in the middle of a race. I ended up throwing out the wheels after less than 1 season and replaced them with used zipps
2015-09-11 4:23 PM
in reply to: #5139158


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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
I'm looking at 88mm Yoeleo wheels. They come with ceramic bearings, 6 Pawl Straight Pull hubs, Sapim Xray spokes. The are 23mm u shaped (I noticed a lot the Chinese wheels were still using the v shape ).I don't remember the weight off the top of my head but they are pretty light. It will be about $900 speed to my house. I am also looking at Flo, but they are pretty heavy.


2015-09-11 4:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
(I wish I would check for typos before I hit send. )
2015-09-11 5:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Originally posted by cddennis77 I'm looking at 88mm Yoeleo wheels. They come with ceramic bearings, 6 Pawl Straight Pull hubs, Sapim Xray spokes. The are 23mm u shaped (I noticed a lot the Chinese wheels were still using the v shape ).I don't remember the weight off the top of my head but they are pretty light. It will be about $900 speed to my house. I am also looking at Flo, but they are pretty heavy.

If you are thinking of Flo v. those Chinese wheels and your only consideration is weight......you'd be crazy not to buy the Flo's.  Those guys are making a damn good product and standing behind it very well from what I can keep up with. You'll also be able to resell then fairly easy and may not ever be able to sell the Chinese knock-offs. The ONLY drawback I can see with FLO is if you race ITU draft legal......the wheels are not yet on the UCI approved equipment list. (or at least they weren't the last time I checked)  Then again, that's really not an issue because I promise the Chinese wheels aren't.



Edited by Left Brain 2015-09-11 5:07 PM
2015-09-11 6:49 PM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Originally posted by cddennis77 I'm looking at 88mm Yoeleo wheels. They come with ceramic bearings, 6 Pawl Straight Pull hubs, Sapim Xray spokes. The are 23mm u shaped (I noticed a lot the Chinese wheels were still using the v shape ).I don't remember the weight off the top of my head but they are pretty light. It will be about $900 speed to my house. I am also looking at Flo, but they are pretty heavy.
Unless your riding a lot of hills the weight is not a big deal. How about a used FLO set for $700 + shipping!

2015-09-11 8:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
Originally posted by cddennis77

I'm looking at 88mm Yoeleo wheels. They come with ceramic bearings, 6 Pawl Straight Pull hubs, Sapim Xray spokes. The are 23mm u shaped (I noticed a lot the Chinese wheels were still using the v shape ).I don't remember the weight off the top of my head but they are pretty light. It will be about $900 speed to my house. I am also looking at Flo, but they are pretty heavy.


I bought a pair of yoeleo wheels last year. Mine are about 23x60mm U-shaped. I have a little over 6000 miles on them so far and they've been great. No complaints at all. Excellent value. I think I paid a little under $700 all in, including taxes and delivery.

How fast are they? It's really indeterminate. Who's going to pay for comprehensive testing of products that spend almost no money on promotion or marketing? What if they test faster than some of the mainstream wheels sold at 3x or 4x the price? What a disrupter in the marketplace that would turn out to be!

Edited by g_shotts 2015-09-11 8:11 PM
2015-09-12 9:06 AM
in reply to: #5139158


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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
The tri club I joined does chip timed time trial rides. I am going to use the wheels that came with my bike one week, then whatever wheels I decided on the next week. That will be a good enough speed test for me.
If Yoeleo wheels tested as well as the big names and shook up the market, that would be good for those of us that aren't doctors, lawyers, and executives that love triathlon.


2015-09-12 11:02 AM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Originally posted by cddennis77 The tri club I joined does chip timed time trial rides. I am going to use the wheels that came with my bike one week, then whatever wheels I decided on the next week. That will be a good enough speed test for me. If Yoeleo wheels tested as well as the big names and shook up the market, that would be good for those of us that aren't doctors, lawyers, and executives that love triathlon.

Eh.....you know that's not the case.....or you wouldn't pay $900 for 20 - 30 seconds. 

2015-09-12 11:22 AM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
Originally posted by cddennis77
I am going to use the wheels that came with my bike one week, then whatever wheels I decided on the next week. That will be a good enough speed test for me.



this should give results about as accurate as when LB's 14yo daughter found that Zipps were slower than the original Trek wheels :-)
2015-09-12 2:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels

Originally posted by marcag
Originally posted by cddennis77 I am going to use the wheels that came with my bike one week, then whatever wheels I decided on the next week. That will be a good enough speed test for me.
this should give results about as accurate as when LB's 14yo daughter found that Zipps were slower than the original Trek wheels :-)

She never could ride those Zipps........and actually refused after 2 more TT's.  LMAO 

I won't tell you what she called them.



Edited by Left Brain 2015-09-12 2:28 PM
2015-09-14 9:41 AM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
Originally posted by Left Brain

Originally posted by cddennis77 I'm looking at 88mm Yoeleo wheels. They come with ceramic bearings, 6 Pawl Straight Pull hubs, Sapim Xray spokes. The are 23mm u shaped (I noticed a lot the Chinese wheels were still using the v shape ).I don't remember the weight off the top of my head but they are pretty light. It will be about $900 speed to my house. I am also looking at Flo, but they are pretty heavy.

If you are thinking of Flo v. those Chinese wheels and your only consideration is weight......you'd be crazy not to buy the Flo's.  Those guys are making a damn good product and standing behind it very well from what I can keep up with. You'll also be able to resell then fairly easy and may not ever be able to sell the Chinese knock-offs. The ONLY drawback I can see with FLO is if you race ITU draft legal......the wheels are not yet on the UCI approved equipment list. (or at least they weren't the last time I checked)  Then again, that's really not an issue because I promise the Chinese wheels aren't.




Last month, I experienced the nastiest crash in my 25+ yrs of cycling. Side wall of the front tire ripped open in more than one spot. My Flo (60's) experienced minor blemish on the brake track (which will be "gone" once the black wears to natural aluminium).

Warranty issues aside, I would be highly impressed if these Chinese wheels were as well-built as Flos.
2015-09-17 1:26 PM
in reply to: #5139158


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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
I won't have the money next week for Flo's next sale. I will try in November. I am pretty sure there is only a 2-5 minute window to buy before the 90's and discs sell out.


2015-09-18 11:52 AM
in reply to: cddennis77

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Subject: RE: Chinese wheels
Originally posted by cddennis77

I won't have the money next week for Flo's next sale. I will try in November. I am pretty sure there is only a 2-5 minute window to buy before the 90's and discs sell out.


I think I got mine in November. Without any problem.

Good for you for considering Flo's. Absolutely no regret on my end.
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