Carbon Clinchers

[Hacienda71]

I am thinking of buying/importing a set of 50mm carbon clinchers with alloy braking surfaces built on Novatec hubs. There are two options with a 50mm depth rim, one is a 20.5mm width rim the other is a 25mm rim. Are there any major advantages of having a wider or narrower rim?
At speeds over 20mph will I notice much difference from a similar weight 30mm alloy clincher? I know cross winds can be an issue but will there be much of a gain maintaining speed in the mid 20's over reasonable distances?

 

[dan_bo]

Would you not get a ''better'' tyre shape with, say, a 23 tyre in a 20mm rim rather than a 25?

My MTB rims are (IIRC) 19mm and i'm running 55+mm tyres in them.

In other words, I don't know for sure.

 

[Roadrider48]

I have 60/40 carbon clinchers on my TT bike and I can't really say that there is much difference to my Ksyriums on my road bike(cross wind wise I mean).
But I don't race or anything like that, just pure pleasure....

 

[mattobrien]

My carbon clinchers have 26mm (front) and 24mm (rear) width rims and I suspect / hope they have been designed with that width specifically with aero in mind.

I have not issues in cross winds, but they are 35mm deep at the front and 45mm deep at the back, so not as deep as you are looking at.

As for much of a difference, new stuff always makes you go faster. Fact.

 

[jowwy]

I am thinking of buying/importing a set of 50mm carbon clinchers with alloy braking surfaces built on Novatec hubs. There are two options with a 50mm depth rim, one is a 20.5mm width rim the other is a 25mm rim. Are there any major advantages of having a wider or narrower rim?
At speeds over 20mph will I notice much difference from a similar weight 30mm alloy clincher? I know cross winds can be an issue but will there be much of a gain maintaining speed in the mid 20's over reasonable distances?

If your rear chain stays will accept the 25mm rims then go with thoughs. The ride will be very smooth and comfortable.

I got 27mm width rims on my TT bike and the tyres fit nicely and square and helps take out the harshness of our crappy roads

 

[Hacienda71]

If your rear chain stays will accept the 25mm rims then go with thoughs. The ride will be very smooth and comfortable.

I got 27mm width rims on my TT bike and the tyres fit nicely and square and helps take out the harshness of our crappy roads

What width tyres are you running on 27mm rims? There seems to be a wider choice of 23mm tyres rather than 25's. I tend to use Pro 4Race but might consider GP4000s as an alternative.

 

[jowwy]

I'm running gp4000s 25mms - don't forget that's the external rim width, internal is 19mm