Amidst today's deluge of advertisements emphasizing Wheel stiffness, durability, and promising almost cosmic speed after installing carbon Wheels, there is undeniably some confusion. It is also noteworthy that carbon Wheels can deliver excellent riding experiences, but selecting the right Wheels that meet all quality requirements is crucial. Otherwise, instead of experiencing improved riding characteristics, one might encounter disappointment.
We aim to dispel any doubts surrounding this topic to facilitate an informed decision. Our goal is to provide information that helps you understand which Wheels are truly necessary and which are the best options within a given budget.
A question we often hear from our customers interested in new wheels concerns the rim material. If carbon fiber has so many advantages, can alloy wheels compare with it? With a budget in the range of PLN 1500-2500, is it worth betting on high-end alloy wheels or going for carbon wheels?
High-end alloy wheels are likely to be significantly better than cheap carbon wheels.
Carbon Wheels are commonly associated with high quality and durability. Unfortunately, the reality can be less straightforward, as high-quality carbon Wheels often come with a premium price tag. While entry-level carbon Wheels priced around 3000 PLN might seem like an attractive budget option, they could prove to be the worst possible choice for long-term use.
Many affordable carbon Wheel offers can be found, but they are often built with low-quality components. Rims made from inferior grade carbon (carbon fiber) quickly lose their stiffness, leading to easier de-truing of the Wheels, and consequently, their overall durability is simply low. Servicing such Wheels must be performed much more frequently than with quality alloy or carbon Wheels. It is also worth noting that few vendors offer comprehensive after-sales service.
In all Wheels, even those from the best and most renowned brands, a hidden defect may occur that was not detected during the production stage. In such a situation, it is crucial to be able to turn to the seller for assistance. For unknown manufacturers of carbon Wheels, poor availability of spare parts can also be a problem.
If your budget does not allow you to buy high-end carbon wheels, the best choice is to invest in alloy wheels built with high-quality components.
Well-made alloy wheels in the price range of PLN 1,500 - 2,500 significantly outperform cheap carbon wheels in terms of quality and performance.
Alloy-rim wheels
High-quality components-
Quality alloy rim from a branded manufacturer
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Reliable dt swiss hubs with high dependability
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Professional Wheel building process
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Robust Wheels, without the need for frequent servicing
Carbon Wheels
Budget-friendly-
Carbon rim of unknown quality
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Potentially lower quality hubs
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Potential for more frequent servicing (truing, bearings)
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Uncommon spare parts
High-quality carbon Wheels. What should you consider?
If you seek long-term satisfaction with carbon Wheels, it is crucial that they are professionally assembled using high-grade components. Carbon rims should be constructed from superior quality carbon fiber, such as T800, and feature a modern, more aerodynamic rim profile. The use of older "v-shape" rim designs (for road Wheels) is not recommended.
Many companies on the market offer hubs branded with their own label, which may feature poorly sealed bodies and bearings. It is this Sealant that affects hub durability. Even the best ceramic bearings or a high number of hub engagements may prove ineffective if the hub is not adequately sealed. Any ingress into the hub body can impact the performance of the bearings and the engagement mechanism.
The construction of carbon Wheels should be carried out by experienced wheel builders with access to professional tools, ensuring the lacing is correct and adheres to Wheel construction requirements. Furthermore, a professional vendor guarantees readily available spare parts. Under such conditions, obtaining assistance with potential warranty issues becomes straightforward.
What to consider when choosing Wheel specifications?
When selecting both alloy and carbon Wheels, it is advisable to choose components from reputable manufacturers. In this context, brands like dt swiss and Sapim are reliable choices. For the hubs we utilize in Wheel building, we have consciously opted for dt swiss, as their products stand out from the competition in terms of reliable operation and ease of servicing.
An example of reliable hubs is the dt swiss 350 model. They stand out for their favorable price-to-performance ratio. These hubs are lightweight, well-sealed, and do not cost a fortune. Depending on the operating conditions, the bearings can spin smoothly without service intervention for tens of thousands of kilometers. An additional advantage is the use of a durable engagement mechanism – the ratchet system, which is significantly more robust than standard pawls.
Regarding spokes, we rely on renowned brands like Sapim and dt swiss, paying particular attention to several models: Sapim D-Light (round, butted spokes), Sapim CX-Ray and DT Aerolite (among the lightest, aero flat spokes), as well as two other models designed for more demanding mountain biking applications: Sapim Race and Strong. High-quality spokes are a key element of the build, determining the Wheel's construction, durability, stiffness, and resistance to truing issues.
Carbon Wheels built with proven components and offered at an affordable price
Alloy Wheels can be an excellent solution if you are looking for a reliable set that will serve you for many years. However, if you require Wheels for competitive and professional use, carbon Wheels are worth considering. The alloy Wheels we build are based on dt swiss hubs and Sapim spokes. For carbon Wheels, these components remain unchanged. The only difference is the rim, which, due to its material, is lighter than alloy. This is particularly noticeable in road Wheels, where Wheels with a rim depth of approximately 50 mm weigh similarly to or less than alloy Wheels with a shallow rim of about 20 mm (when utilizing the same hubs and spokes).
Decades of experience in Wheel building have led to the creation of our own carbon Wheel brand, evanlite, operating in the European market since 2017. We use carbon rims made from high-quality carbon fibers. Combined with the aforementioned dt swiss and Sapim components, we create professional, high-end carbon Wheels that are still available at competitive prices. The average price for a set of evanlite carbon Wheels starts from 4500 PLN. The standard configuration includes dt swiss 350 hubs and Sapim D-Light spokes. Additionally, each Wheelset is covered by a two-year protection program, under which, in the event of Wheel damage during riding, the evanlite brand provides free repair (!). We understand that carbon Wheels can be a significant investment, which is why we aim to provide peace of mind during their use.
Summary – alloy or carbon?
Having a limited budget, which does not allow you to buy high-quality carbon wheels, by far the better choice is to invest in high-end alloy wheels. Such wheels, based on better hubs and spokes, are qualitatively superior to cheap carbon wheels of unknown origin. The differences in the rim are not so crucial, since a solid alloy rim is definitely superior in quality to a poorly made carbon one.
Selecting appropriate and robust components is undoubtedly crucial for Wheel building, but the decisive factor is the professional assembly process. Wheels built with the best rims, hubs, and spokes, but by an incompetent person, may prove unsatisfactory and lead only to disappointment.
By entrusting the Wheel building process to professionals, you ensure that they are assembled correctly, which translates to enhanced durability and eliminates the need for frequent servicing. Should any technical issues arise, the availability of spare parts will not be a concern.
In our store specializing in wheels, we offer a convenient configurator available for most models, allowing you to customize the wheel components to meet your individual needs and budget. With this tool, you can easily switch between different hubs, spokes, freehub bodies, or axles, while ensuring all parts are compatible in your chosen configuration. Once the configuration is complete, the order moves to our assembly area, where experienced specialists build the wheels.
If you have any doubts regarding the selection of appropriate components, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our advisors are ready to help you make the best choice. You can send us an email or fill out the form, and we will prepare a customized Wheel offer tailored to your specific needs.