B(ike)log — Zipp

10 of the best deep aero wheels lab tested

Posted by Elite Custom on

Which wheels are best for speed, stability, braking and handling? This article was first published on 220 Triathlon.com. Deep-section aero wheels offer some of the biggest speed gains you can find, along with your helmet and clothing. The difference between basic training wheels and the best of this group can be as much as four minutes in a 40km bike leg. In short, aero wheels are essential as soon as you switch from completing to competing. Super-deep  wheels, such as the 70mm-plus hoops here, are specialist tools for racing on flat and rolling courses. While they’re much faster than standard wheels, they...

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Enve 4.5 Clinchers Review - Cycling Weekly

Posted by Elite Custom on

They certainly sit up there amongst the most desirable and bling wheels money can buy, but are the Enve SES 4.5 clinchers worthy of their high price tag? We put them to the test for several months. The moment you take them out the box, the Enve SES 4.5 feel a little bit special. There’s something about them. Enve works in collaboration with the famous aerodynamicist Simon Smart, who has a strong background in Formula One. Smart has worked closely to optimise the shape of Enve’s wheels for minimum drag and maximum speed. SES stands for Smart Enve Systems and the number corresponds to...

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Battle of the Superpowers

Posted by Elite Custom on

When it comes to carbon bike wheels Zipp and ENVE are pretty much the biggest kids on the block, and with each offering updated deep-section aero clinchers, the grudge match is on! Bike Radar has put 100's of miles, back to back on these wheels to find out:Which is Faster? ENVE SES 7.8 OR  Zipp 808 NSW And here's a summary:  TEST ENVE SES 7.8 ZIPP 808 NSW  Weight: 1708g 1795g Carbon Hub: Yes Yes Tubeless Compatibility: Yes No Stability in Crosswinds: Winner - Braking (Dry / Wet): Winner - Responsiveness / Accelerations:  - Draw - - Draw - Stiffness...

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The age old question - Which is faster? Tubulars or Clinchers?

Posted by Elite Custom on

So, the age old question, which is faster?  Tubulars or Clinchers?  We've always been told by coaches and the veteran racers, "Train in clinchers, Race in Tubulars", but is this true?  Here's a test by done by BikeRadar, on a Time Trial Bike and a Road Bike. They will be testing the Enve 4.5 Tubulars, against the Enve 4.5 Clinchers.    Enve mentioned that their clinchers are more aero than their tubulars. On the climb test, the clinchers were indeed faster than the lighter tubulars. Perhaps, aero really does trump weight.     Stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook...

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Debunking Wheel Stiffness

Posted by Elite Custom on

Are your wheels stiff enough? Do your manly legs pump out so many kilowatts that you flex them like soggy noodles? Stiffness is like training volume, right? More is always better? I’d like to start this discussion with a very simple question: What IS wheel stiffness? Do you know? If anyone out there can accurately describe it in one paragraph or less, you get a gold star. I don’t even think I could do it, which is why we’re dedicating an entire article to it.  The biggest problem with the wheel stiffness discussion is that the term is thrown around far too much...

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