Carbon Wheelset Pricing

[amacal1]

I find myself needing/wanting a new road wheelset and I see no reason not to make it a carbon wheelset. I see I can get a Superteam set from eBay for around $315-$330 ish that ships from a US warehouse. It looks like the cheapest Elitewheels or similar set from Aliexpress is running more like $350 to $400.

Despite buying a lot of cycling gear from aliexpress, my purchases are usually pretty low-priced and spaced out depending on sales. I admit that I'm not the best when it comes to optimizing my Aliexpress purchases and I don't have the best handle on timing, sales, coupons, stacking discounts, etc. Can someone recommend a wheelset and a final price that may or may not be better than what I'm currently seeing? Is there a better place to buy from? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

[00Garza]

That eBay deal is tough to beat. Even with coupons.
Tagoola might be one of the few to rival those prices.

Do you have a particular depth or width you’re looking for? “Older” rims with narrow internal width seem to be the cheapest.

Something like this:
Clearance 50mm Lightweight Carbon Fiber Road Wheelset Disc Brake Ratchet System 36T Hub Enduro Bearing Center Lock Racing Wheel
https://a.aliexpress.com/_ms9q2C5

[00Garza]

Another option that is super cheap with current coupons.

COVET EcoCarbon Drive Road Disc Brake 700c Carbon Rim Center Lock Road Bike Wheelset UCI Quality Road Racing Wheelset
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mt2KYmD

[amacal1]

As far as specific options go, I'm thinking 50mm. I'm stuck between rim brake or disc brake.

My "daily driver" road bike keeps popping spoke nipples pretty reliably about once a month or so and is getting REALLY annoying. One way I could go would be to throw some carbon wheels on my current aluminum framed rim-brake road bike and just be happy with that for the time being. (this is likely the path I will take)

Another way I could go would be to finally get off my butt and build a second road bike like I've been wanting to do for a while now. I have a set of aluminum disc wheels already and if I pair it with a carbon frame this would likely be light enough for my liking. However, I can't find a good deal on either a new or used disc carbon frameset. The tsunami/seaboard cr05 is pretty close to appealing at $470ish, but still a bit expensive. If I pair it with some carbon wheels then it won't be that horrible, weight-wise. If I can catch a good enough deal on that frame and some carbon wheels, it would be a LOT more appealing. I've been riding an old steel vintage bike that I recently rebuilt, so I do appreciate the qualities of a good steel frame. This path towards a disc build is a little less likely for me, since it will end up costing the most no matter which way I slice it. Ultimately I'd like a more modern disc carbon roadbike, but it might just have to wait a while and I can be happy with my current bike if I just replace the current wheelset.

[North Shore]

I just received yesterday a Superteam Classic wheel set, but havnt had a chance to ride yet as I am waiting for my new sized TPU tubes to arrive. I am a sucker for a deal and the reviews were pretty good with the most common complaints being the need to lube the bearings before riding and older models had rear spokes break, but I confirmed their two year warranty. At this price I have room to address this if need be.
$350 Canadian Pesos including shipping and no import taxes from Ali after discounts during their back to school sale. That’s around 250.00 US or 217.00 EUR. Same price as cheap aluminum wheel sets.

With supplied rim tape (for tubes, not tubeless) Front: 701 and rear: 808 grams
21.55 and 21.62 internal.

I am realistic they will not blow my hair back and I don’t race, but no doubt will be an improvement over my 1775 gram Alex Boondocks 3’s.

[amacal1]

I just received yesterday a Superteam Classic wheel set, but havnt had a chance to ride yet as I am waiting for my new sized TPU tubes to arrive. I am a sucker for a deal and the reviews were pretty good with the most common complaints being the need to lube the bearings before riding and older models had rear spokes break, but I confirmed their two year warranty. At this price I have room to address this if need be.
$350 Canadian Pesos including shipping and no import taxes from Ali after discounts during their back to school sale. That’s around 250.00 US or 217.00 EUR. Same price as cheap aluminum wheel sets.

With supplied rim tape (for tubes, not tubeless) Front: 701 and rear: 808 grams
21.55 and 21.62 internal.

I am realistic they will not blow my hair back and I don’t race, but no doubt will be an improvement over my 1775 gram Alex Boondocks 3’s.

Thanks! Can you share a link?

[jonathanf2]

If you really want rim brake carbon wheels, my buddy uses a pair of 50mm depth wheels on his Canondale Supersix, they hold up just fine for him, though he weighs less than 150 lbs. I wouldn't put too much money into a carbon rim wheelset unless you're a diehard rim brake rider.

Have you considered just getting a 2nd wheelset for your disc gravel bike? That would open up more options for you as well. You could get wide internal width wheels, run some 30-32c road slicks on there and you'll still have the option to put knobby tires later on. I got a pair of Tagoola gravel wheels and ran slicks on them for a bit, but eventually slapped on knobby tires on that wheelset.

[North Shore]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009205081092.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.72941802VjE9OP

These are for disc brake.
As Jonathan2 mentioned I would just stick with aluminum for rim brake if it was a budget wheel set. I’ve seen/read so many delamination stories of carbon rim brake wheels over the past 10+ years. I had great success ordering rims/hubs/spokes/nipples from bikehubstore and having wheels built locally.

[amacal1]

Have you considered just getting a 2nd wheelset for your disc gravel bike? That would open up more options for you as well. You could get wide internal width wheels, run some 30-32c road slicks on there and you'll still have the option to put knobby tires later on. I got a pair of Tagoola gravel wheels and ran slicks on them for a bit, but eventually slapped on knobby tires on that wheelset.

This is what I currently have, which is why I have an extra aluminum disc wheelset. However, my gravel bike is a 1x drivetrain and isn't optimal as a road machine. It's also a bit beefy.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009205081092.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.72941802VjE9OP

These are for disc brake.
As Jonathan2 mentioned I would just stick with aluminum for rim brake if it was a budget wheel set. I’ve seen/read so many delamination stories of carbon rim brake wheels over the past 10+ years. I had great success ordering rims/hubs/spokes/nipples from bikehubstore and having wheels built locally.

Wow. That's a pretty good price compared to everything else I've seen.

[jonathanf2]

This is what I currently have, which is why I have an extra aluminum disc wheelset. However, my gravel bike is a 1x drivetrain and isn't optimal as a road machine. It's also a bit beefy.

I run 32c GK semi-slicks on one of my gravel wheelsets using a 38t chainring and 9-46t cassette. Last group ride I did, I was able to hold the wheel on the fast group ride and had lower gearing to attack the punchy hills while the other dudes were fiddling with their gears. The way I have it setup, I can just slap my other 9-50t knobby wheelset and it's good-to-go for the mountains.

I don't use the 9/10t often on my XD cassettes, the bigger advantage is that it moves the road high gearing more in-board for a slightly straighter chain line especially on 1x drivetrains.

[Grumms]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009205081092.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.22.72941802VjE9OP

These are for disc brake.
As Jonathan2 mentioned I would just stick with aluminum for rim brake if it was a budget wheel set. I’ve seen/read so many delamination stories of carbon rim brake wheels over the past 10+ years. I had great success ordering rims/hubs/spokes/nipples from bikehubstore and having wheels built locally.

I can't get the CDFR30 coupons, Ali tells me I already used it (when ? Brrrr). I would have taken them.