# Help me not waste money on a wheel purchase **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Tags:** wheels\ **Created:** [October 21, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655 "2023-10-21T19:11:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anthonylane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/anthonylane/32/7098_2.png) [@anthonylane](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/anthonylane)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/1 "2023-10-21T19:11:30Z")
I’m looking to invest some money into a new carbon wheelset that will be an upgrade from my Easton EA70 AX aluminum wheels (24mm internal, 20mm deep, ~1800g). I need help deciding between 35 to 50mm wheels. I will be running 35c tires. First question: How does one quantify any aerodynamic benefit? I know that some brands like Hunt and FLO have done extensive testing, but for brands that haven’t am I just throwing money away in hopes there will be an aero advantage? My second question is: I know this likely “depends”, but, is there going any measurable difference between 35 and 40mm or is 5mm kind of a toss-up? I’m looking at the following (all of which are 35-40mm deep, and around 1600g) - [Prime Orra Gravel](https://road.cc/content/review/prime-orra-700c-carbon-gravel-wheelset-300569) _35mm deep_ - [ICAN alpha 35](https://icancycling.com/products/alpha-35-disc-pro) _35mm deep_ - [ICAN G25](https://icancycling.com/collections/gravel-bike-wheels/products/700c-gravel-wheels-g25) _50mm deep_ - [Reynolds AR41](https://road.cc/content/review/261898-reynolds-ar-41-db-wheelset) _41mm deep_ - Various other 35-40mm new or used carbon wheelsets in the $600-800 range I’d like to make an informed purchase so that my money translates into some performance benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Dexvd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/dexvd/32/85098_2.png) [@Dexvd](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Dexvd)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 7:15pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/2 "2023-10-21T19:15:13Z")
Enve suggests for their wheels you lose any aero benefit of a deep aero wheel if running a 40mm or larger tire. > **[G23 vs SES 3.4 - ENVE](https://www.enve.com/journal/g23-vs-ses-3-4-ar/)** > > What’s The Right Wheel For Me? G23 and SES 3.4 Go Head To Head To my eye the Lun Grapid 29 seems to be one of the best deals LUN Grapid twenty nine 1482g 25mm int, 32mm ext ---
**Author:** ![AJS914](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@AJS914](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/AJS914)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/3 "2023-10-21T19:54:32Z")
> [@anthonylane](#): > > First question: How does one quantify any aerodynamic benefit? What kind tires are you installing? My first thought is that a 35mm depth isn’t that aero and that 35mm tires (wider than most every rim) is going to further negate aero benefits. It’s going to be a light bulb shape rather than an airfoil shape. Peak Torque on youtube did a wider tire aero test. He was testing GP5000 32mm tires versus his regular 28s on 29mm wide rims and 32.5mm wide rims. The wider rims tolerated the wider tire much better. If you want a significant aero upgrade go deeper with tires matched to the width of the rim (105% rule and all that). [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/d/8/d8ce2991d41f59fd34ee236ce17b6a30bd89bef8.jpeg "Are Wider Tyres a total WIN? The Aerodynamics.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_e5tlM5Gi8) ---
**Author:** ![Brennus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brennus/32/1318_2.png) [@Brennus](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Brennus)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/4 "2023-10-21T19:55:15Z")
> [@anthonylane](#): > > How does one quantify any aerodynamic benefit? Just looking at the cross sections & knowing your tire choice I’d pick the G25. However, it looks to me like the Reynolds AR41 has a LIFETIME WARRANTY. My experience with FLO carbon gravel wheels is that they break under normal use. So I would have for sure made out paying an extra $700 & getting a lifetime warranty. Just saying. But also, in my opinion, if you slap a 35mm wide tire on that AR41 it’s going to be materially aerodynamically inferior to the G25. Especially in a little bit of a cross wind. Let’s say 3 to 5 watts. ---
**Author:** ![AJS914](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@AJS914](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/AJS914)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/5 "2023-10-21T20:09:30Z")
> [@anthonylane](#): > > I’m looking at the following (all of which are 35-40mm deep, and around 1600g) > > - [Prime Orra Gravel](https://road.cc/content/review/prime-orra-700c-carbon-gravel-wheelset-300569) _35mm deep_ Isn’t Prime a ChainReaction brand? I believe they are facing bankruptcy. I’d be hesitant to order from them. ---
**Author:** ![ljuvlig-bawdy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ljuvlig-bawdy/32/114749_2.png) [@ljuvlig-bawdy](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ljuvlig-bawdy)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/6 "2023-10-21T20:53:10Z")
I think Hed might disagree! 180mm deep gravel‽ ![Screenshot_20231021-215136](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/5/2/52821541d548039d797cedd9ec7ef033f0e4b375.jpeg) [https://www.instagram.com/p/CyewqCCOyGb/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==](https://www.instagram.com/p/CyewqCCOyGb/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) Although I’m not sure if that image should have ended up in the cycling memes thread! ---
**Author:** ![Price\_4148](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/price_4148/32/118990_2.png) [@Price\_4148](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Price_4148)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/7 "2023-10-21T22:09:56Z")
Check out Scribe wheels. They’re based in Belfast I think. I have their 50mm Aero wide+ wheels which have been great. Equivalent Hunt wheels were around £300 more. ---
**Author:** ![Brennus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brennus/32/1318_2.png) [@Brennus](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Brennus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/8 "2023-10-22T00:15:26Z")
[Look at the size of that boy’s HED](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqycJpRdVaY) ---
**Author:** ![anthonylane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/anthonylane/32/7098_2.png) [@anthonylane](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/anthonylane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/9 "2023-10-22T02:49:25Z")
> [@AJS914](#): > > What kind tires are you installing? I have a set of Pirelli Cintuarto H (35c), but also run Gravelking SK’s in 35c. ---
**Author:** ![AJS914](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@AJS914](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/AJS914)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 5:17am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/10 "2023-10-22T05:17:43Z")
The bottom line is that you aren’t going to save any watts/time. In that sense, it would be a waste of money. Carbon wheels can be lighter though. Flo claims their aero gravel wheels can save 7 watts and their rim profile is 33mm wide, and 55mm deep. Click on Total Power to see their chart. > **[FLO G700](https://flocycling.com/collections/gravel-collection-page/products/flo-g700-disc-brake)** > > Engineered to perform on gravel roads.  Whether you’re conquering Unbound, rocking Belgian Waffle rides, or exploring uncharted roads, we’ve got you covered with the the world’s first aerodynamically optimized gravel wheels.  Our... ---
**Author:** ![jdman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jdman/32/12908_2.png) [@jdman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/jdman)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 9:19am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/11 "2023-10-22T09:19:47Z")
Aero increases with speed - if you just ride gravel I would be surprised if there is much difference between them - it’s not like the TT bike CdA arms race…will look cool though…and the bit about Wiggle’s financial situation is relevant…would still buy energy drinks from them but not wheels, bikes, smart trainers…they could go bust at a days notice ---
**Author:** ![OreoCookie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oreocookie/32/8298_2.png) [@OreoCookie](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/OreoCookie)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 12:16pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/12 "2023-10-22T12:16:03Z")
> [@anthonylane](#): > > I need help deciding between 35 to 50mm wheels. I will be running 35c tires. I’d eliminate any wheel whose inner rim width is less than 25 mm. Note that some road wheels would be suitable such as Zipp’s 303S. > [@anthonylane](#): > > First question: How does one quantify any aerodynamic benefit? I know that some brands like Hunt and FLO have done extensive testing, but for brands that haven’t am I just throwing money away in hopes there will be an aero advantage? There are two sides: any specific aero claims are hard-to-impossible to transfer directly to the real world. On the one hand, you have mostly windtunnel data that is often at speeds, which are not relevant to amateur athletes. On the other hand, aero benefits _are_ real, and wheels are quite high up on the list. However, body position and clothing are by far the most significant factor. > [@anthonylane](#): > > My second question is: I know this likely “depends”, but, is there going any measurable difference between 35 and 40mm or is 5mm kind of a toss-up? I’d go deeper. 40–50 mm is the goldi locks depth for good reason. I don’t think I’d ride anything shallower on a dropbar bike, excluding dropbar mountain bikes. With modern wheels of this depth, wind steer is not a concern in practice. A wheel that is missing from your list is 3T’s Discus 45|40 Limited, which was to my knowledge the first gravel-specific aero wheel. It is aerodynamically optimized for 35–40 mm tires, but can obviously take wider tires. (Optimized refers to the 105 % rule where ideally the wheel’s outer width is at least 105 % of the tire width.) ---
**Author:** ![WindWarrior](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/windwarrior/32/84679_2.png) [@WindWarrior](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/WindWarrior)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 12:50pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/14 "2023-10-22T12:50:22Z")
“Help me not waste money on a wheel purchase” You don’t need to buy wheels if your bike has some already! Money saved is money not wasted 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![funkinslick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@funkinslick](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/funkinslick)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/15 "2023-10-22T21:17:39Z")
Josh Portner has expressed his approval of the 3t discus 45 a few times. 45mm deep and 40mm wide external so they’d still seem to satisfy the good ol’ rule of 105 with a 35mm tire if that is indeed the WAM. Not cheap but not the most expensive either. > **[Discus 45 | 40 LTD](https://us.3t.bike/en/products/wheels/discus-45-40-732.html)** > > The world’s widest aero wheels, significantly improving the aerodynamics of big road and gravel tires with 35-42mm WAM.  ---
**Author:** ![anthonylane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/anthonylane/32/7098_2.png) [@anthonylane](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/anthonylane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/16 "2023-10-22T22:30:23Z")
Appreciate the advice. I should have mentioned that 35c’s are what I’d like to run, but I have a wheelset that I could use for rowdy gravel and run a smaller 30-32c tire on the aforementioned carbon wheels. Not married to a high volume tire on them. ---
**Author:** ![AJS914](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@AJS914](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/AJS914)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/17 "2023-10-23T01:30:04Z")
Probably the smoother the tires the better. My understanding is that knobs on the edge of gravel tires really disrupt the airflow and defeat any aero rim benefits. What tire do they have on that 3T? ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/2/2/22d6ccf75d03d1a3a11409c6ebac684ad1e55ff7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Vpe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/vpe/32/85392_2.png) [@Vpe](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Vpe)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 7:25am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/18 "2023-10-23T07:25:26Z")
Looks like Pirelli’s Cinturato velo ---
**Author:** ![noahphence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@noahphence](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/noahphence)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 9:25am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/19 "2023-10-23T09:25:48Z")
I have 2 sets of the Roval TERRA. 25m internal. I have the CL and CLX versions, both amazing wheels. double up as a great road wheel with a 30-32mm road tyre too. Would recommend. ---
**Author:** ![spinnnout](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/spinnnout/32/15455_2.png) [@spinnnout](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/spinnnout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 9:41am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/20 "2023-10-23T09:41:54Z")
Worth looking at the LB WG or WR range. - [WG44 Disc Carbon Gravel Wheelset - Light Bicycle](https://www.lightbicycle.com/700c-tubeless-gravel-aero-wheels-40mm-wide-44mm-deep-disc-brake.html) - [WR38 Disc Carbon CX/Gravel Wheelset - Light Bicycle](https://www.lightbicycle.com/700C-tubeless-bike-wheels-32mm-wide-38mm-deep-clincher-for-cyclocross-road-and-gravel-bikes.html) But it’ll be a much easier purchase to quantify if you use _looks_ as the measure 🫢 ---
**Author:** ![OreoCookie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oreocookie/32/8298_2.png) [@OreoCookie](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/OreoCookie)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2023, 10:21am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655/21 "2023-10-23T10:21:05Z")
I have the narrower road version of these wheels. The hubs and bearings are great, the wheels feel very nice and they are very stable in the wind. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/help-me-not-waste-money-on-a-wheel-purchase/87655.md?page=2)