All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Carbon and aluminum have totally different properties when being hit with an object - like a sharp rock. I don't feel too bad when I smack my aluminum rim on something. Worst case, I'll limp it home and vice grip them straight again. Carbon though, I'll probably shit a brick the first few times, there's no removing dents from that.
Carbon isn't just about weight. It's a much stiffer wheel than aluminum. I also decided carbon after deciding on nicer hubs, which is the real reason I'm getting new wheels.

 

You have chosen...wisely.

 

Which puts you back at the weight of aluminum wheels. Seems like you are spinning your wheels.

 

An Assegai can help that

 

Read above.

 

Yes I understand that and knew that. Just giving you a sarcastic hard time.


As for the Assegai tires. Those I would think are pretty heavy but would prevent the need for cushcore.

 

Sarcasm on the internet :/

 

I know, it’s new. What can I say, I’m a trend setter.

 

that's awesome!

 

Nice looking ride.

 

They arrived!!! They look and feel really nice. I'm even happy with the oil slick look, which I was skeptical about.





Got out for a quick lap and they're real nice. I think the hubs are the most notable upgrade. 120 POE makes pedaling feel real efficient. They sound nice too; not overly loud but a good buzz.

As far as the wheels, I dropped about half a pound of rotating mass so that was noticeable. They also just felt more precise and direct in responding to steering and pedaling inputs. Every movement felt snappy, like there wasn't any wasted energy. It's not night and day compared to my old wheels, but definitely noticeable.

 

And worth it?

 

Congrats on the new wheel setup. So do they give you a choice of gloss or matte black?

 

After one ride, yea. They improved my riding experience and that's really what it's about, right?

If you wanna save some cash, I think you could get a lot of benefit with a nice alloy wheel and upgraded hubs.

Only matte on the hoops, but black or oil slick on the spokes.

 

Cushcores good stuff, but I just ditched it for a thicker sidewall. Less weight, easier to work with, sidewall protection.

Carbon wheels are so much more than weight. I’d say weight savings is just a nice side benefit. Strength and tuneability are king in carbon. They had a rough start, but current (quality) offerings are pretty sweet.
Good carbon wheels don’t need cushcore, unless you’re riding at pro level and smash rock gardens like Richie Rude.

The Sled is one of the best place to test em. Especially if you add in Terror Ridge.


Another epic ride today. Mountains are so good right now. Perfect dirt and leaves are poppin.

 

Yea, it's a great test ride! Might be hitting evil empire in PC tomorrow.

 

Good morning everyone, I have been having a battle with myself over the last couple months about some bike related things and I could certainly use some assistance. First off, I rode Snowshoe yesterday and hollyyy shittt is that place awesome. Almost 8 hours on the bike riding some of the same track that pros from around the world rode. A very humbling experience to say the least. Humbling in the sort that I did crash a couple of times. One of which being an OTB that cost me a shifter mount which just gives me an excuse to upgrade my drivetrain. So that is the first battle. Im currently running a Shimano SLX 1x11, I have strongly considered going to 1x12 and buying something nicer like a Shimano Deore XT. I also have a list of things I would like to upgrade on my current bike. Example, drive train, possibly carbon rims, longer dropper, better brakes. But on the other side I have been considering a new bike. Im currently running a 2019 Giant Trance 2. And I have been drooling over the new 2021 Giant Trance Advanced 27.5. Which has carbon everything for $3200. Downside is that there is no ETA at all for it and I have never owned anything carbon. So the skinny of it all is, should I keep the current aluminum bike I have and upgrade it. Or just put that upgrade money towards a new bike and sell the old one with hopes of recouping some money. Below are the links to my current bike and the new Trance I am considering. Thank you for your assistance, I understand that the internet is subjective and everyone has their opinions.


https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/trance-2-2019


https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/trance-advanced-2021

 

Are there shortcomings with your current setup or you just like shiny new things?

Reason I say is SLX groupset is pretty bombproof and 11 speed stuff is cheap now

 

Well that sounds like a personal question