Light rim brake clinchers are great - but advice is needed!

[mass_biker]

Trotted out a whip I haven’t ridden in a while - an alum road bike with light (for me), aluminum clinchers (HED RA Pro “Black” + rim brake). Fully built, this bike is in the low 16lb range, which seems light “enough”. The wheelset clocks in a shade under 1500gm, are not “super” aero, and with 700/26c Pirellis, ride great. On a regular hilly Saturday romp around here (close to 100 feet/mile), I found their “get up and go” truly smile inducing, and was able to really lean into some local favorite climbs, going up a gear or two out of the saddle.

What are my other options for similar <1500gm rim brake clinchers to sprinkle across a few other “A” bikes?

I guess I can scour for another set of HEDs? Any other competitors?

In reading the Interwebs, I see that even a baseline set of Lightbicycle carbon clinchers are sub <1400gm. Maybe a little more aero (35-40mm?). I do NOT ride these tubeless. And at ~145lbs, I guess I’m not at any weight limit? Our ups and downs here are not like the Rockies, but are quite steep (albeit short - a few miles at most), so the risk of riding the brakes on a 10 mile alpine descent is unlikely.

The weather here can come and go - that said, if it’s pouring, I’m not chosing these bikes. The risk is being out in the middle of nowhere and getting caught in a rainstorm, but again, it’s not like I’m racing anymore or anything!

Advice is appreciated.

MB

[David in Maine]

I’ve been enjoying my wheels with Astral Solstice rims laced to King hubs. I haven’t weighed the wheels, but the rims are listed as 405g so should build into a pretty light wheel set with some nice light hubs.

David

[19wisconsin64]

I've had pretty good success riding modern carbon rims laced to either vintage Campagnolo C Record hubs, and modern 10-12 speed hubs. The only issue I've had is tire clearance, as it's hard to get a rim that's 25 mm wide with a 28 mm tire installed to fit in many bikes.

If you have extra clearance, look into lightbicycle rims / wheelsets for sure! great quality - I've had 4 pairs of wheels from them built. Maybe post a photo of your bike where the wheels meet the brake calipers.

[mass_biker]

Got lots of clearance actually - 26c on HED+ clear with room to spare. I would guess 28c would too, but I actually like the ride of Pirelli 26c or Michelin 25c for bikes that are road focused (although some roads are not in great shape!)

Lightbicycle sounds like a good option…thanks and if others have feedback on them, please send on!

MB

[robt57]

My 'climbing bike' has some 1200 gram Stans TL wheels. Nice light tires and TPU tube as well. I prefer both my 303 wheelsets, one tubular [crazy light] and one clincher with the 26mm S-Works tires. But I am no climber either. But I like being able to go straight up stuff even if not too fast. FWIW, worth 2 cents even @ 1/2 the price.

But I do feel like I am chasing the lighter wheels when not on actual climbs.

[GregL]

My racing wheels are BTLOS RC-55 carbon, rim brake clinchers. The pair weighed 1,475g on my scale. Light, aero, and robust under my 170 lbs.

Greg

[CAAD]

Originally Posted by GregL

My racing wheels are BTLOS RC-55 carbon, rim brake clinchers. The pair weighed 1,475g on my scale. Light, aero, and robust under my 170 lbs.

Greg

My 55 deep btlos wheels with novatec hubs is 1390g. They have been bulletproof. Next build will be 40mm deep extralight build with their carbon spokes @ 1230g.

[mass_biker]

Felt that the lighter wheels made a lot of difference today. The climbs we have here are short, steep and punchy. As I mentioned earlier, I felt more able to stand and gear up more often than not vs. when I am on heavier wheels.

[IJWS]

these: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=309683

[lorenbike]

Originally Posted by David in Maine

I’ve been enjoying my wheels with Astral Solstice rims laced to King hubs. I haven’t weighed the wheels, but the rims are listed as 405g so should build into a pretty light wheel set with some nice light hubs.

David

Old P built me a set of Astral Solstices laced to bitex hubs and they are excellent!

[catchourbreath]

I got Astral/T-11 wheelset 1400g
3rd set of T-11s I've owned no complaints

[stev0]

I think that there are plenty of weightweenie options if you're okay with used/custom. But in terms of production/new rim brake sets that are similar (with a similar braking surface) to the HED blacks are DT swiss oxic, vision trimax kb, and mavic exalith -- all with options around the 1500-1600g mark for the set.

Having owned/ridden all of those but the exalith, I would never go back to a standard smooth braking surface again because I do think that brake performance is markedly better (HUGE difference in the wet, maybe marginal dry). The HED ardennes take the cake for me as being the widest internal rims that also do tubeless. And I don't worry about the weight too much/bc what goes up must come down, and I'd much rather have better brakes than drop a pound of weight (and tubeless is a bit lighter). Maybe try tubeless on your current set and see how it feels?

[mass_biker]

Originally Posted by CAAD

My 55 deep btlos wheels with novatec hubs is 1390g. They have been bulletproof. Next build will be 40mm deep extralight build with their carbon spokes @ 1230g.

**

How do these hold up on rough roads (not gravel, but not not the best pavement)? And do you have a recommendation on brake pads here for the damp stuff (if it happens)

MB

[Spaghetti Legs]

I’ve had a set of the first Gen Firecrest Zipp 202’s and love ‘em. I’ve had them so long I forget the weight but I think 1350g. Same era 303’s are about 1500 but I like the 202’s better.

[mass_biker]

Think I’m going down the rabbit hole of BTLOS and/or Light Bicycle and am curious about this new-gen of carbon clinchers for this specific purpose. A few 100gm x 2 seems to make a difference?

If you could:

1 - any feedback on one vs. the other including customer service (LB vs. BTLOS - likely I will buy 2).
2 - any feedback of “extra light” vs. anything else - likely to focus on the non carbon spoke versions FWIW
3 - any feedback on bad weather - from what I understand, carbon rim/brake + rain = bad outcome? If raining, I will choose something else I hope before I leave the environs. Note that I am no longer racing, so I am happy to drift back on a group ride to ensure I see what the descents look like
5 - any feedback on “stiffness”/“engagement” - as noted, our stuff is all up and down, so immediate acceleration and “stiff” ride out of saddle is helpful.


Please continue to share your feedback - it is welcomed! Especially if you have gone down the path of al. Clincher > carbon clincher.

Best
MB

MB