Sub-1,000g wheels for $739USD at CarbonBikeKit.com

[crusader4192]

Hello everyone,

I am ooking to do a weight weenie build on a budget and saw this company CarbonBikeKits.com mentioned a few times around here, but no actual reviews. Looks like the company has been making carbon parts out of Xiamen since 2009, and they have a sub-1,000g wheelset for sale that's only $739USD.  Anyone have experience with this company? Not saying it's too good to be true but curious if this is a name that's come up before.

https://www.carbonbikekits.com/carbon-road-bike/special-road-wheels/ultralight-rim-brake-wheels/optimvm%EF%B8%8F-995g-ultralight-700c-25x26mm-road-bicycle-rim-brake-wheelset

Looks like they might be using Goldix hubs that are rebranded as "FLASH" brand, but not quite sure, I've seen other really light wheels using those.

Appreciate any feedback!

[toxin]

They're using some h-works, chosen, novatec, powerway and bitex hubs, but the majority do indeed come from the same place as foldix, wherever that is.

The only spokes I'd actually use are the 01 and 02 ones, the others all have more questionable designs. Possibly 03 as well but I can't tell from the picture how the hub side of the spoke is bonded to the metal.

The rim profiles are boring and mid, but some of them are crazy light.

[crusader4192]

Appreciate the insight and analysis. If I'm not mistaken, these might be some of the cheapest sub-1000g wheels around, so I'm just hoping to see if anyone has experience with this company to make sure it's not too good to be true.

[toxin]

The thing is I have no idea who makes those rims . From what I've observed there's like 2 or 3 manufacturers that sell their products to a bunch of brands. Some of those brands may be those manufacturers but I couldn't say which. CBK definitely uses some of the same rims as what I've seen in other places.

I might do like Charlie from Always Sunny and make a chart of all of these some day.

[jadenchinertown192]

So what manufacture is making these wheels for other brands? Has anyone tried these? sub 1100 for 50mm deep for 789 seems pretty cool

[jonathanf2]

Sub-1300g is the new normal. All the cheap wheelsets are like 1300g and up.

[mtm]

I bought a TT disc rear from them earlier this year. It has been been fine, but of course is not a wheel that's being used that much.

I bought from them after checking with a former team mate that had bought a wheel set from them which he said has been fine.

[James dean]

wow those are crazy light. How's the quality?

[jadenchinertown192]

Might have to buy these and review!

[Serge_K]

Not to be the party pooper, but the rim width is really old school. Aero matters more than weight virtually all of the time, and you can get full on modern 50mm wheels for 1300g for c.700 USD w carbon spokes. So if you're building a hill climb bike, then sure, but for virtually every single biking application, you'd be better served with a wider rim, a 28C tyre (if not more), a good rim to tyre interface (aka, a wide rim), and a good spoke shortening device (aka, a deep rim).
Unless you actively want to go slow, ofc. Some people take pride in spending good money to buy bad performance.
And it's been shown many times, but 1kg difference up a climb makes virtually no difference, so 300g...

[raisinberry777]

Not to be the party pooper, but the rim width is really old school. Aero matters more than weight virtually all of the time, and you can get full on modern 50mm wheels for 1300g for c.700 USD w carbon spokes. So if you're building a hill climb bike, then sure, but for virtually every single biking application, you'd be better served with a wider rim, a 28C tyre (if not more), a good rim to tyre interface (aka, a wide rim), and a good spoke shortening device (aka, a deep rim).
Unless you actively want to go slow, ofc. Some people take pride in spending good money to buy bad performance.
And it's been shown many times, but 1kg difference up a climb makes virtually no difference, so 300g...

Agree - the rim profile makes it an instant no from me, despite the claimed weight. I would take a modern rim profile over this any day for better aero and comfort for the sake of a couple hundred grams (if that).

[James dean]

i still ride 19mm internal 21 external. I don't race. Still use 25mm tyres. I apologize I don't drink the cool aid that I will be faster with a wider profile. Maybe I will be able to take a corner hotter but faster i doubt it.

[crusader4192]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Yes, I was looking to start a dedicated climbing build, I am onboard overall with the proof points of wider rims and tires being faster and more aero. That said, my entire stable is still rim brake and 25mm tires, so I haven't gone quite as far down that road as others.

Not to be the party pooper, but the rim width is really old school. Aero matters more than weight virtually all of the time, and you can get full on modern 50mm wheels for 1300g for c.700 USD w carbon spokes. So if you're building a hill climb bike, then sure, but for virtually every single biking application, you'd be better served with a wider rim, a 28C tyre (if not more), a good rim to tyre interface (aka, a wide rim), and a good spoke shortening device (aka, a deep rim).
Unless you actively want to go slow, ofc. Some people take pride in spending good money to buy bad performance.
And it's been shown many times, but 1kg difference up a climb makes virtually no difference, so 300g...

Where else have you seen 50mm 1.3kg carbon spoke hoops for $700USD?

[James dean]

my only concern is i think u get what u pay for in life. Would love to hear some reviews on this brand. The price if reviews are good is a no brainer.

[Serge_K]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Yes, I was looking to start a dedicated climbing build, I am onboard overall with the proof points of wider rims and tires being faster and more aero. That said, my entire stable is still rim brake and 25mm tires, so I haven't gone quite as far down that road as others.

Where else have you seen 50mm 1.3kg carbon spoke hoops for $700USD?

OEM. Peter from Xiamen Carbon Speed on this forum. And i suspect Yuanan can do similar specs. Would also be worthwile checking Farsports (by email) & Light Bicycle.
If you're going disc, do yourself a service, I'd advise you get rims that are at least 30mm wide and run 28C tyres. It will transform your riding experience, and you'll go faster, even on good tarmac.

my only concern is i think u get what u pay for in life.

That's really debatable, unless it's really apples to apples. If you compare 2 OEMs shipping to the same place at the same time making the same thing, then yes, you'd expect prices to be similar. But if you're comparing the cost structure of a western brand, inventory, VAT, distributors, marketing, and so on, then you can't say that a 4k frame is automatically better than a 500 frame.
In fact, a factory that makes the actual factor frames probably charges factor less than 500$ for each frame.
So, it really depends on where your money is going / which layers of fat it's padding.