Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: Sander2177 on September 03, 2025, 10:48:43 AM
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Hey everyone,
I’ve been looking through the Serenade Wheels thread and am considering getting a set of their wheels for my winter riding. I can see they offer good quality products, but my question here is a bit broader — it’s more about what people look for in winter and training wheels.
Now that the weather’s turning here in the UK (and across Europe) — rain, grit, salt, and colder temps — I’m thinking about getting a dedicated wheelset for winter riding. I don’t particularly want to put my current wheels through those conditions, especially with carbon spokes and aluminium nipples, since winter riding can be tough if you can’t clean the bike straight away after every ride.
So I’d like to hear your thoughts:
• What do you guys run for winter/training wheels?
• Do you stick with alloy training sets, or has anyone gone the carbon route for winter?
• How have your setups held up with bearings, nipples, hubs, etc. in bad weather?
For context, I’m currently leaning toward a setup like this:
• Rims: 34 mm external width, 23 mm internal width, tubeless-ready
• Depth options: 40–45 mm, 45–50 mm, or 50–50 mm (front/rear)
• Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray
• Nipples: Brass
• Hubs: Likely H‑Works — Serenade wheels appear to use H‑Works hubs for their builds
• Other notes: Bearings will just be whatever comes standard in the hub
Basically, I’m after a bomb-proof winter set I don’t have to baby. Curious to know what others are riding through winter, and what’s worked (or hasn’t) for you.
Thanks!
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Get some cheap Elitewheels and call it a day
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Get some cheap Elitewheels and call it a day
Well $500usd is £370gbp thats a cheap set of wheels!
If you can find me something with brass nipples send me
A link cheers
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I will use my current wheels but the weather where I love is a little better than yours and I don't ride when it is rainy.
I don't think that carbon rim and spokes will be impacted by the rain, salt,... But brass nipples are mandatory.
Maybe build a rim with Sapim CX-ray. They are reliable
For the hub DT swiss 240 exp or find a inhouse hub with a high IP protection and high quality material. I would not go with ultra light hub.
However I have just seen that Tagoola released a ultra light hub with reliability and durability in mind. Maybe ask them more information.
If you don't mind performance during winter, why don't you choose a cheap second hand wheelset (carbon or alloy) ?
I wish I know some feedback of people who ride a lot in winter with their "all day" wheels and If some problems really occur (or raise) during winter. Maybe the quality of every wheels are enough nowadays to survive during a rough winter.
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I will use my current wheels but the weather where I love is a little better than yours and I don't ride when it is rainy.
I don't think that carbon rim and spokes will be impacted by the rain, salt,... But brass nipples are mandatory.
Maybe build a rim with Sapim CX-ray. They are reliable
For the hub DT swiss 240 exp or find a inhouse hub with a high IP protection and high quality material. I would not go with ultra light hub.
However I have just seen that Tagoola released a ultra light hub with reliability and durability in mind. Maybe ask them more information.
If you don't mind performance during winter, why don't you choose a cheap second hand wheelset (carbon or alloy) ?
I wish I know some feedback of people who ride a lot in winter with their "all day" wheels and If some problems really occur (or raise) during winter. Maybe the quality of every wheels are enough nowadays to survive during a rough winter.
Thanks carbon spokes are ok but they have proprietary aluminium nipples. The carbon spoke would be ok but the nipples are the issue.
DT Swiss would love to but they are expensive and what the Chinese now have to offer should be ok for winter. I will have a look at Tagoola hubs. The latest lightweight hub is a Goldix one at 215g 24/24 for steel spokes. I’m not to concerned about having a lighter hub.
It’s more something on a winter ride get home and cannot or simply do have time to clean the bike. I will be using the X68 anyway.
And again are all wells good enough now that a winter or tracing wheel is a thing of the past
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Wheels Ordered
45Front
45 Rear Asymmetric
UD Paintfree glossy with drain holes
Sapim CX Ray Spokes
Brass Nipples
H-Works SR318 Hub Titanium Grey (Gravel Hub 288g) TPI Steel bearimgs with LBLU seals.
1258g Estimated
Contacted H-Works and for the specified weather conditions they specifies this or there MTB Hub M330 28/28H 316g
https://h-works.cn/products/m330
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what would be the difference between the MTB and the gravel hub, except those 28g difference ? Are the mtb's one more durable ?
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Wheels Ordered
45Front
45 Rear Asymmetric
UD Paintfree glossy with drain holes
Sapim CX Ray Spokes
Brass Nipples
H-Works SR318 Hub Titanium Grey (Gravel Hub 288g) TPI Steel bearimgs with LBLU seals.
1258g Estimated
Contacted H-Works and for the specified weather conditions they specifies this or there MTB Hub M330 28/28H 316g
https://h-works.cn/products/m330
From Zen?
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From Zen?
Yep was given other options from others similar price but a road hub which would not be suitable for winters and others were a little more expensive $522.80 UK Shipping $100.
Plus I have H-Works hubs and like them, this is 100-110kg limit wheel.
Pillar spokes would like $10usd cheaper
135kg rim would be $20 dollars cheaper +80g heavier and the
Normal weight 135kg+ would be $50 cheaper and 160g heavier
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Dont overthink it. Use what you have now, just maybe get better tires for winter (all season).
OR
Superteam are supercheap and VERY good.
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Dont overthink it. Use what you have now, just maybe get better tires for winter (all season).
OR
Superteam are supercheap and VERY good.
I don’t ride my good wheels in the UK winter.
I stick to GP5000s during that season—nothing fancy, just something I don’t have to scrub clean after every ride. With carbon-spoked wheels and aluminum nipples, you really do need to keep them spotless and dry, which is a hassle in winter conditions.
As for Superteam I’m sure they are heard good reviews and Hambinis a fan
they come in around the same price point (about $500 USD) but are heavier, and I’m a bit of a weight weenie 🤣. Personally, I think my spec is pretty solid. Everyone keeps talking up DT 240 hubs, but those would’ve been another $300 on top, and for me that wasn’t worth it.
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Wheels Ordered
45Front
45 Rear Asymmetric
UD Paintfree glossy with drain holes
Sapim CX Ray Spokes
Brass Nipples
H-Works SR318 Hub Titanium Grey (Gravel Hub 288g) TPI Steel bearimgs with LBLU seals.
1258g Estimated
Contacted H-Works and for the specified weather conditions they specifies this or there MTB Hub M330 28/28H 316g
https://h-works.cn/products/m330
Just chiming in, I have the m330 hubs on my mtb, and use it during winter as well. These hubs are bomb proff, super well sealed. Winter do get quite salty here, but even after 2 years they're still fine. Highly recommend.
One question though, do they make them in non boost version? So they can be used on gravel bike, and with 12 mm axle front?
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Just chiming in, I have the m330 hubs on my mtb, and use it during winter as well. These hubs are bomb proff, super well sealed. Winter do get quite salty here, but even after 2 years they're still fine. Highly recommend.
One question though, do they make them in non boost version? So they can be used on gravel bike, and with 12 mm axle front?
Mate here are some spec all Available on H-Works site
All MTB hubs are Boost only
The Three Gravel Hubs Have the option for 12mm Front
Gravel Hubs below SR330 24/24h and SR308 28/28H the SR318 is not on there site but like these hubs it likely support 12mm Front
https://h-works.cn/products/hw-330-rear
https://h-works.cn/products/sr308
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I don’t ride my good wheels in the UK winter.
I stick to GP5000s during that season—nothing fancy, just something I don’t have to scrub clean after every ride. With carbon-spoked wheels and aluminum nipples, you really do need to keep them spotless and dry, which is a hassle in winter conditions.
As for Superteam I’m sure they are heard good reviews and Hambinis a fan
they come in around the same price point (about $500 USD) but are heavier, and I’m a bit of a weight weenie 🤣. Personally, I think my spec is pretty solid. Everyone keeps talking up DT 240 hubs, but those would’ve been another $300 on top, and for me that wasn’t worth it.
1250g at 45mm with Brass Nipples and CX Ray Spokes - that is a great spec for the money, and I know you say you dont use "good" wheels in winter.....I would happily have these on my best bike anytime!
Out of interest what would you possibly upgrade to make the wheels "better"?
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1250g at 45mm with Brass Nipples and CX Ray Spokes - that is a great spec for the money, and I know you say you dont use "good" wheels in winter.....I would happily have these on my best bike anytime!
Out of interest what would you possibly upgrade to make the wheels "better"?
For me nothing to be honest some might say use a DT Swiss 240 hubs as it’s proven but it’s and extra $300usd
And maybe CX Super Spokes but again an additional $100usd to save 30g normally I probably would 😆 but not for a winter wheel.
Would you change anything?
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For me nothing to be honest some might say use a DT Swiss 240 hubs as it’s proven but it’s and extra $300usd
And maybe CX Super Spokes but again an additional $100usd to save 30g normally I probably would 😆 but not for a winter wheel.
Would you change anything?
No, sorry my point was I think these wheels are a fantastic spec - and my question was, what would your “good” summer wheels be in comparison, as I can’t imagine them being much better than these in the real world.
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I'm very tempted to copy your order but with a slightly higher weight rating. Why did you choose a normal rim at the front and an asymmetric rear rather than a matching pair?
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Mate here are some spec all Available on H-Works site
All MTB hubs are Boost only
The Three Gravel Hubs Have the option for 12mm Front
Gravel Hubs below SR330 24/24h and SR308 28/28H the SR318 is not on there site but like these hubs it likely support 12mm Front
https://h-works.cn/products/hw-330-rear
https://h-works.cn/products/sr308
Awesome thanks! I'm tempting to build a winter wheelset with the gravel hubs now ;D
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I stare at God in the face until he makes the weather sunny & dry enough to go outside to ride mi tiny bicicleeetaa to schoool.
https://youtube.com/shorts/jV-Mf3GdFRE
Always the joker ;D ;D
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I'm very tempted to copy your order but with a slightly higher weight rating. Why did you choose a normal rim at the front and an asymmetric rear rather than a matching pair?
I don’t need an asymmetric rim at the front because spoke tension is already well balanced there. But using an asymmetric rim at the rear helps improve spoke tension balance and lateral stiffness, which is more important to me for the back wheel. I want to make sure I have a responsive rear wheel when I’m out of the saddle—climbing, sprinting, or putting down power.
An 135kg Limit wheel of the same spec will only add 80g and will be $20usd cheaper as well.
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No, sorry my point was I think these wheels are a fantastic spec - and my question was, what would your “good” summer wheels be in comparison, as I can’t imagine them being much better than these in the real world.
My summer wheels in this spec are about 250g lighter 1000g with a light weight carbon spokes and the lightweight road hub.
This is a very solid build and could easily work as an all-rounder, but I’m a bit of a weight weenie—my 60/65mm wheels come in at just 1231g.
So while I do value performance, I also factor in weight.
For me, this setup strikes a great balance: robust, responsive, and impressively light for the spec, at a price I’m happy with.
Sure, I could build a cheaper version using a standard-weight rim layup, heavier SR330 hubs, and budget spokes like Sapim Leader.
That would bring the cost down to around $400 USD, but the weight would jump to 1578.6g.
So for my priorities, this current spec makes more sense
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I don’t need an asymmetric rim at the front because spoke tension is already well balanced there. But using an asymmetric rim at the rear helps improve spoke tension balance and lateral stiffness, which is more important to me for the back wheel. I want to make sure I have a responsive rear wheel when I’m out of the saddle—climbing, sprinting, or putting down power.
An 135kg Limit wheel of the same spec will only add 80g and will be $20usd cheaper as well.
Cheers for that. It makes sense. Is just contacting them direct the easiest way as their website isn't great?
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Cheers for that. It makes sense. Is just contacting them direct the easiest way as their website isn't great?
Yeah, that’s the case with a lot of OEM manufacturers — their websites often aren’t the most up-to-date since they’re primarily factories, not retailers. The usual way is to contact them directly by email or, more commonly, WhatsApp.
Best tip: try messaging during Chinese business hours. If you WhatsApp them at night (your time), your message can easily get buried among all the others. Contact them during their working day and you’ll usually get a faster response.
The WhatsApp contact for Zara is +86 15160726618
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I've ordered a pair with the heavier weight rims rated to 135kg and the predicted weight is 1448g.
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I've ordered a pair with the heavier weight rims rated to 135kg and the predicted weight is 1448g.
Nice where are you Located then? UK?
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Yeah, I live in Otley just on the edge of the Dales.
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Yeah, I live in Otley just on the edge of the Dales.
Ok so some wheels for our lovely winter weather ;D