Road Bike Wheels

Victory or defeat - in the world of cycling, it's often a matter of seconds. This is precisely why high-quality wheels are an important factor for performance in road cycling and triathlons. If you want to buy a new wheelset, it's all about the details. Do you want aero wheels for maximum speed on the flat? Do you want to fly up the mountains with a lightweight carbon wheelset? Or are you looking for an all-round solution? We'll help you find the right road bike wheels for your purposes.

Aerodynamic, light, fast - wheels are the heart of every road bike. They have a significant influence on the performance and feel of a bike. Accordingly, road bike wheels have a major impact on the speed at which you ride. There are many examples of this: High-quality aero wheels can add several km/h at high speeds on flat terrain. A lightweight carbon wheelset can save you a minute or more on a lengthy Alpine pass thanks to its lower weight. And with triathlon wheels better aerodynamics not only save you time, but also give you fresher legs on the run.

However, improved acceleration, higher speeds and lower weight are not the only reasons to buy a new road bike wheelset. Many ambitious racing cyclists rely on robust training wheels off the track to protect their high-quality racing equipment. A spare wheelset for racing is also standard for many athletes. In short, road bike wheelsets are available in a wide variety of versions and for a wide variety of purposes. When buying, you have the choice and we have the choice.

The main criterion when buying new wheels for your road bike is the intended use. We basically differentiate between the following categories:

• Inexpensive aluminum wheelsets: robust wheelsets with aluminium rims. They are perfect for training or multi-day tours, but are also heavier and less aerodynamic than carbon wheels.
• Lightweight carbon wheels: Carbon wheels push the limits of what is technically possible in terms of weight. Wheelsets weighing less than 1300 grams are the ideal choice for mountain stages - such as cycling marathons in the Alps.
• Fast time trial wheels: Also made of carbon, aero carbon wheels impress with reduced air resistance thanks to their high rim profile (40 millimetres and higher). Your choice for the flat or for time trials.
• All-round carbon wheels: Master the balance between aerodynamics and lightness.
• 3-/4-/5-/6-spoke monocoque wheels: Special feature aerodynamic, exclusively for time trials or triathlons. They are made of carbon and have larger spokes that create a sail effect. This results in less air resistance and higher speeds.
• Disc wheels: Also known as disc wheels. Fully clad wheels that are used as the rear wheel in time trials. They are extremely aerodynamic as they sail along the wind. At the same time, however, they are also susceptible to crosswinds. On the track, disc wheels are sometimes even used as front wheels.

Regardless of the intended use, when buying a road bike wheelset you will be faced with the choice between system wheels and classically spoked wheels. System wheels are designed as complete units, whereby the rim, spokes and hub are optimally matched to each other. The advantage: many system wheels offer advanced technologies such as special rim profiles or integrated spoke systems. On the other hand, there are the classic spoked wheels, which are known for their versatility and ease of repair. Here you have the freedom to select and customize individual components such as rims, spokes and hubs. This allows greater customization to specific needs and preferences - be it in terms of weight, stability or riding feel. Classically spoked wheels are also easier to repair.

The length of time in which road bikes and their wheels were only compatible with rim brakes and the motto "If you brake, you lose!" is long gone. Today, the market is almost completely dominated by wheels for disc brakes. They set new standards in terms of braking power and reliability - almost regardless of weather conditions. They are ideal for road bikers who want to fight for valuable seconds with maximum control and safety, even on descents.
If you still rely on a road bike with rim brakes for reasons of aerodynamics or weight, we have good news. The brake track of carbon wheels in particular has undergone significant development. Thanks to special surface finishes, they offer you improved braking performance even in more demanding conditions such as wet conditions.

In addition to the intended use and the type of construction, the choice of material is crucial when making a purchase. Carbon and aluminium are the most common materials for rims.

Wheels made of aluminium are robust, versatile and offer excellent value for money. They are ideal for demanding road conditions and everyday rides. Aluminum wheelsets are often used for training and on lengthy tours when stiffness and weight play a subordinate role.

When it comes to fast wheels, carbon is the material of choice. The reason is its special features. With a density of 1.5 g/cm³, carbon is significantly lighter than aluminium (2.8 g/cm³). The lower weight enables faster acceleration and easier climbing on mountain climbs. In addition to its low weight, carbon has a high level of stiffness. This ensures more efficient power transfer to the road, which is an advantage when sprinting. Carbon road bike wheels are a first-class choice for road bike riders who are looking for speed and efficiency. In the high-end segment, all road bike wheelsets are made of carbon.

By the way: When we talk about the material, the quality of the qr (quick release) and thru axles, spokes, nipples, hubs and hub bearings also play an important role. Ceramic bearings, lightweight blade spokes, eyeleted spoke holes, etc. are properties that a high-quality pair of road bike wheels should have.

From the area of use to the material and components - you should consider the following twelve aspects when buying a new road bike wheelset:

• Intended use: think about what you want to use your new road bike wheels for.
• Budget: The next step is to define a budget. This will determine the further equipment of the wheels.
• Material: Do you want a high-quality, fast carbon road bike wheelset or robust, reliable aluminum wheels?
• Wheel size: 28 inch is standard, but 27.5 inch (650B) road bike wheels are also available.
• Braking system: Should your wheelset be designed for disc brakes or rim brakes? Disc brakes are the most common system today. Almost all new road bikes come with disc brakes.
• Axle standard: Check which axle standard you need for your road bike.
• Rim type or tire type: The rims should match the road bike tires you want to ride. Are there special variants for wire bead tires, tubular tires or tubeless tires?
• Rim width: The rim width determines how wide the tires you mount on the wheels can be. A tip: The tire width has a major influence on comfort and rolling resistance. Today's professionals usually ride 28-millimeter tires.
• Rim height: If you want to cut through the wind with ease during training, a 40-50 mm high rim profile is a good choice. The susceptibility to crosswinds is still manageable in this size. High-profile models (from 60 mm) and disc wheels are an interesting option for competitions, time trial events and triathletes.
• Freehub body: When buying a rear wheel, make sure it is compatible with your cassette.
• System wheel vs. classic spoked wheel: Do you want a wheel that looks like a single piece with coordinated parts or a classic wheel with less exclusive parts?
• Single purchase or set: Do you want a whole wheelset or do you just need a single wheel? Attention: Buy front and rear wheels together and benefit from price advantages.

When buying a new road bike wheelset, every detail counts. However, it is detail work that pays off. Because in the world of cycling, seconds often make the difference between victory and defeat.

Here you will find all types of road bike wheels from top brands such as Campagnolo, DT Swiss, Fulcrum, Mavic, Shimano, DXC and many more. And if you are looking for new gravel wheels, we also have a large selection here. The same applies to wheel accessories such as tire levers, tubeless kits and more. Order today - our record delivery times will help you achieve new best times on the road in no time at all.