Any Cycling fans here?

socfan12 said:
1368 grams, sweet! Wow, that's light! And your specs sound fantastic! I would love to get a set of lighter/faster tires, but stuck in analysis paralysis myself.:skeptical:
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Faster tires? or Faster Wheels? I don't know what you ride on your current steed, but if you have not tried some Vittoria Open Corsa CX tires with Vittoria latex tubes you will be in for a significant improvement in your ride. When I put the Vittoria's on my wife's bike she was thrilled and said she noticed an immediate improvement in ride quality "so much smoother" and she felt faster too.

I'll be selling a very, very nice custom clincher set (not carbon rims) I had built up a couple years back when I first got my Cyfac. When I put the ENVE wheels on my steed, I moved the custom clinchers to my wife's bike. They are built around DT Swiss 190 ceramic hubs (no longer available) and DT Swiss RR415 rims. Built for me, they are 32 spoke rear, 28 spoke front (I weigh ~195lbs.) Weight for the pair is about 1407 grams. An outstanding set of climbing wheels.

Tires make a huge difference, and know I know aero wheels do to. Combined I immediately felt like I was drafting even though I was out front.
 
Bobvin said:
My wife's birthday is this weekend. Last year I got her a Cyfac as well, one model (Gothica) below mine and stock size frame. I just ordered her a nice set of wheels from WheelBuilder. I really like the ENVE 3.4 wheels so I had a duplicate set made up for the wife. I went with the 3.4 set even though I know consider I should have perhaps upgraded my own to the 6.7 set and passed the 3.4 set to her. But a 60mm deep front rim, even though it is supposed to provide balanced handling, seems like it would be challenging in a sidewind (regardless of what reviewers might say.) I can get a little anxious on a steep downhill with a crosswind on the 35mm front wheel on the 3.4 set. What I don't know is how much "more" the tug would be with the deeper wheel.

The custom build up is Alchemy ELF front hub, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, DT Swiss 240 rear hub (decal removed), and full ceramic speed bearing upgrade (both front bearings, both rear bearings and also the two in the freehub.) Total weight about 1368 grams.

I'll post a pic once the wheels get in.
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My wife's birthday is also this weekend but she ain't gettin' no Enve wheel..:blush:..... joking aside she can't ride anymore due to a bad back, but she still can run!

I ride 60mm and 90mm carbon wheels and they can be a handfull in strong lateral winds, I know a few people who steered away of the higher profile wheels due to that fact. In all fairness I'm not sure you would see the difference between 35mm and 60mm, a friend of mine who's a bike shop owner tells me you can somewhat feel the difference when you are riding at 35kph and above average (unless you do ride at those speeds). Advantage of a 35mm wheels over a 60mm is that it's lighter were it matters the most which is on the rim itself due to rotational forces, climbing and acceleration can be somewhat easier. If I had to do it over again I still would have bought the 90mm for the TT bike but probably would have chosen lower profile carbon tubular wheels for the road bike.
 
Hi Dan, I train hard, on the flats usually 32-40 kph, so I have felt a notable difference with the ENVE 3.4s. My initial impression was that I was drafting someone even though I was out in front. The wind tunnel tests show the deeper rims, at 40 kph, represent about a 10 watt difference in input. At my age, I'm looking for every advantage I can get. Those young fellas are hard to keep up with :!:
 
You guys are amazing! Really impressive stuff. I'm too embarrassed to show my bike!

I paid $199 for it at Costco....I ride two to three times a week for about an hour each time. The main reason is that biking is excellent for keeping the legs in shape for hockey (which I play 3 times a week).

I see all these people with $10,000 bikes and all the clothes and stuff. They must laugh at me!
 
Mike, if you're having fun, I for one don't care what you're riding. Being outdoors on my bike, even when I'm attacking the pedals, brings me much pleasure. If life is hard, then fun is the best revenge.
 
Mike said:
You guys are amazing! Really impressive stuff. I'm too embarrassed to show my bike!

I paid $199 for it at Costco....I ride two to three times a week for about an hour each time. The main reason is that biking is excellent for keeping the legs in shape for hockey (which I play 3 times a week).

I see all these people with $10,000 bikes and all the clothes and stuff. They must laugh at me!
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Everybody has their vices Mike. Just like most hobbies, once you become engrossed in it you can't help but upgrade, upgrade, upgrade!
 
Bobvin said:
Hi Dan, I train hard, on the flats usually 32-40 kph, so I have felt a notable difference with the ENVE 3.4s. My initial impression was that I was drafting someone even though I was out in front. The wind tunnel tests show the deeper rims, at 40 kph, represent about a 10 watt difference in input. At my age, I'm looking for every advantage I can get. Those young fellas are hard to keep up with :!:
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Hi Bob,

Trust me I'm also trying to find all the tricks in the books while riding with a bunch of 30 to 40 year old pups , and it's not getting any easier as the body does not recover as easily as it used to. If you do find the magic solution please tell me as I can sure as hell use it.

10 watts at 40 kph average is probably compared to a regular low profile wheel. Therefore there would be less of an aero difference between the 3.4 and 6.7 , this probably more than offset by the fact that the 6.7 wheels weigh over 300 grams more. And remember on average you probably don't ride at 40 kph up front so the aero advantage is probably less than you think. I don't think this to be significant myself, but again your opinion may differ. I can't feel the difference between 30 and 60mm (of note that they were different brand of wheels), 90mm do make a significant difference to the 60mm but man they can trow you around in average winds :cool:
High profile wheels do look nice though, and can be used by wheel manufacturers as moving billboards ;)

All in all you have very nice wheels, enjoy them (and the missus too)!
 
Mike said:
You guys are amazing! Really impressive stuff. I'm too embarrassed to show my bike!

I paid $199 for it at Costco....I ride two to three times a week for about an hour each time. The main reason is that biking is excellent for keeping the legs in shape for hockey (which I play 3 times a week).

I see all these people with $10,000 bikes and all the clothes and stuff. They must laugh at me!
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As one ex professionnal bike rider who shall remain nameless once said "It's not about the bike".

Just enjoy the ride and mostly be safe!
 
RedSectorA said:
As one ex professionnal bike rider who shall remain nameless once said "It's not about the bike".

Just enjoy the ride and mostly be safe!
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Oh Dan, you got it all wrong. According to Rule#4 (Velominati ? The Rules) "It is, absolutely, without question, unequivocally, about the bike. Anyone who says otherwise is obviously a twatwaffle."

Of the "Rules", #5 is the most important. Followed by, IMHO, #6, #10, #11, and #20. Then #23, #33, and #65.

And the following is for distraction purposes only...
View attachment 2502

(And re: the 10 watts, that was the Enve 6.7ss vs. the 3.4's in the wind tunnel testing.)
 
Bobvin said:
Oh Dan, you got it all wrong. According to Rule#4 (Velominati ? The Rules) "It is, absolutely, without question, unequivocally, about the bike. Anyone who says otherwise is obviously a twatwaffle."

Of the "Rules", #5 is the most important. Followed by, IMHO, #6, #10, #11, and #20. Then #23, #33, and #65.

And the following is for distraction purposes only...
View attachment 2502

(And re: the 10 watts, that was the Enve 6.7ss vs. the 3.4's in the wind tunnel testing.)
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Aahhhhh The Rules! Haven't read them in a while, two that I remember is the HTFU one (which I use on myself very often) and the ones about tan lines. Will have to go back and read them all over again, pretty funny I have to add.

Don't remember the girls name but she was on cycling forum for a while, she had quite the following on that board. I remember she raced in Europe for a while. BTW the "girls" are not OEM, she said so herself.....

As for the wheels well I'm willing to trade you my EC90 Aero (60mm) with low milleage (20-25,000 kms) for your Enve 3.4 if you want... :cryforjoy:(BTW my wheels are still straight and never been retrued)
 
Bobvin said:
Faster tires? or Faster Wheels? I don't know what you ride on your current steed, but if you have not tried some Vittoria Open Corsa CX tires with Vittoria latex tubes you will be in for a significant improvement in your ride. When I put the Vittoria's on my wife's bike she was thrilled and said she noticed an immediate improvement in ride quality "so much smoother" and she felt faster too.

I'll be selling a very, very nice custom clincher set (not carbon rims) I had built up a couple years back when I first got my Cyfac. When I put the ENVE wheels on my steed, I moved the custom clinchers to my wife's bike. They are built around DT Swiss 190 ceramic hubs (no longer available) and DT Swiss RR415 rims. Built for me, they are 32 spoke rear, 28 spoke front (I weigh ~195lbs.) Weight for the pair is about 1407 grams. An outstanding set of climbing wheels.

Tires make a huge difference, and know I know aero wheels do to. Combined I immediately felt like I was drafting even though I was out front.
Click to expand...
Hey Bob,

Just saw this. Looking for faster/lighter wheels. I like my Gatorskin tires - haven't had a flat with them since buying them years ago!

Was first thinking Carbon clinchers, but then heard too many horror stories while descending hills. Then confused what a good rim depth would be - a little aero but not too punishing in the cross winds (was thinking 24-35, 35 tops...).
 
socfan12 said:
Was first thinking Carbon clinchers, but then heard too many horror stories while descending hills. Then confused what a good rim depth would be - a little aero but not too punishing in the cross winds (was thinking 24-35, 35 tops...).
Click to expand...

That rim depth narrows things down. The Zipp 202's run 32mm front and rear. The 303's go 45mm and the Enve 3.4's are 35/45. If it's possible to test a bike with both size wheels, I bet you like the deeper rims better. Plus they look fast!

Imageproxy.php
 
socfan12 said:
Hey Bob,

Just saw this. Looking for faster/lighter wheels. I like my Gatorskin tires - haven't had a flat with them since buying them years ago!

Was first thinking Carbon clinchers, but then heard too many horror stories while descending hills. Then confused what a good rim depth would be - a little aero but not too punishing in the cross winds (was thinking 24-35, 35 tops...).
Click to expand...

Doug points to the choices I considered, ending up with the Enve 3.4s which are a great combo with the latest wide rim profile, medium depth. I ride Vittioria Open Corsa CX 'cause I love the feel, though they are a little fragile. But with the 320 tpi casing they feel like no other. I know many like Conti's for durability, and I may try them someday but like the tubular feel of the Vittoria tires. I have zero complaints about the Enve wheels, they look and are fast. Quiet too, unlike HEDs.

Wheelbuilder.com is a great source for all things wheel related. Biketiresdirect.com for tires/tubes.
 
dlb2 said:
That rim depth narrows things down. The Zipp 202's run 32mm front and rear. The 303's go 45mm and the Enve 3.4's are 35/45. If it's possible to test a bike with both size wheels, I bet you like the deeper rims better. Plus they look fast!

Imageproxy.php
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Agreed, Doug, it narrows down choices. These sizes come from shimano wheels I have been eyeing, but have never pulled the trigger.:( I do like the look and the general performance of deeper, more aero rims, but I fear losing control when there's a strong crosswind!:panic:

Bob, how deep are your rims?
 
socfan12 said:
Agreed, Doug, it narrows down choices. These sizes come from shimano wheels I have been eyeing, but have never pulled the trigger.:( I do like the look and the general performance of deeper, more aero rims, but I fear losing control when there's a strong crosswind!:panic:

Bob, how deep are your rims?
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Guys I have 60mm and 90mm Easton carbon wheels, you won't loose control of the bike it's just destabilizing, hence reducing the enjoyment, when riding in crosswinds that's all.
 
socfan12 said:
Agreed, Doug, it narrows down choices. These sizes come from shimano wheels I have been eyeing, but have never pulled the trigger.:( I do like the look and the general performance of deeper, more aero rims, but I fear losing control when there's a strong crosswind!:panic:

Bob, how deep are your rims?
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The ENVE 3.4s are 35mm deep front, 45mm deep rear. The front is 26mm wide, the read is 24mm. And like the new Zipps, the rim profile doesn't taper to a point, but instead kind of is blunt with a rounded radius sort of like the radius of a tire. The theory is this reduces the torque applied in cross winds by moving the fulcrum closer to the axle. When I first got them I was on a mild decent with a serious 45° crosswind. Freaked me out to have that kind of buffeting at 40mph. Now that I've been on them a year I don't think I'd react the same way, but haven't had a similar situation since. And while you may not lose control with deeper rims, I've sure seen guys in front of me with deep rims move over 3 feet in a serious gust. I moved about 8 inches.

Personally, I prefer the smooth unidirectional carbon in the ENVE wheels vs. ZIPPs new dimpled pattern (like a golf ball). And my ENVE braking surface is still the same color, where I've seen some ZIPPs where the brake track turned a lighter grey compared to the black of the rest of the rim. Made the rim look worn.

The new set of ENVE 3.4s I ordered for my wife's bike arrived today. I think she'll love them... on the flats she can suck my wheel, so this should help her save a little mojo for the next hill.
 
Bobvin said:
The new set of ENVE 3.4s I ordered for my wife's bike arrived today. I think she'll love them... on the flats she can suck my wheel, so this should help her save a little mojo for the next hill.
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Let us know how she likes the wheels. Before long she'll be back there eating a sandwich while you pull her along busting a sweat!
 
Here is a pic of my wife's CYFAC "Gothica CS" with the new ENVE 3.4 clincher rims, Vittoria Open Corsa CX tires, latex tubes. Wheel build is identical to my own, (except I put the 36 tooth ratchet upgrade in mine): Alchemy ELF front hub, DT Swiss 240 rear hub. Full Ceramic Speed bearing upgrade (hub shells and freehub), 20 spoke front, 24 spoke rear. (1377 grams)

I do think she's gonna love these wheels!

The rest of her bike is Ultegra DI2, Enduro ceramic bottom bracket, Ritchey carbon bars, stem, seatpost. Just a couple ounces over 15 lbs.

View attachment 2567

And just for fun, here's a nice shot of my custom CYFAC "Absolu":

View attachment 2568
 
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Bobvin said:
Here is a pic of my wife's CYFAC "Gothica CS" with the new ENVE 3.4 clincher rims, Vittoria Open Corsa CX tires, latex tubes. Wheel build is identical to my own, (except I put the 36 tooth ratchet upgrade in mine): Alchemy ELF front hub, DT Swiss 240 rear hub. Full Ceramic Speed bearing upgrade (hub shells and freehub), 20 spoke front, 24 spoke rear. (1377 grams)

I do think she's gonna love these wheels!

The rest of her bike is Ultegra DI2, Enduro ceramic bottom bracket, Ritchey carbon bars, stem, seatpost. Just a couple ounces over 15 lbs.

View attachment 2558

And just for fun, here's a nice shot of my custom CYFAC "Absolu":

View attachment 2559
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Sweet!! Beautiful rides!!
 
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