Aerodynamics / Aerodynamic Cost / Aero parts

Are nowadays aero wheels only made in carbon? Any new options in aluminium?

It cost me some time to find my HSonPlus SL42 and seems like they are the deepest aluminium rims available, I hope I'm wrong! because I really don't like carbon components on my bikes.

I didn't have a spare tyre, mudguards, reflective stuff, valve caps, or a kitchen with me.

No. These are made of plastic and fit shallow alloy rims.

I had a spare tub, Pitstop, tool pouch, windjacket, and ALL THE FLAPJACKS!

mostly in my jersey pockets.

He's definitely faster than me. He beat me by one minute exactly on the E2/10 in September. Mind you, I was riding with a broken finger which was sticking out into the airstream as I couldn't bend it (still can't - the splint's still on). Must have slowed me down by at least a minute.

I ride a bike set up for 24 hours so I'm giving away hours, literally hours, in 10s and 25s.

If I actually got aero I'd be riding 10s in -17.45 minutes, yeah, negative minutes motherfuckers, coz that's how I roll.

Right, off to eat a burger and drink beer. #becausepro

@bertocq

Are nowadays aero wheels only made in carbon? Any new options in aluminium?

Get a carbon fairing on alu rim. For example
http://www.flocycling.com

I still have an 80mm SRAM S80 that has alu braking surface. HED do alu braking surface. Oh, but scared of carbon... out.

Those look great!! Does fairing mean that those are aluminium rims with a layer of carbon over them just for aerodynamics improvement? (at least that's what google translator says in spanish) Thanks for the suggestion :)

@hippy I'm partly scared of carbon, but mostly not amused by it's looks, metal rules for me :)

Does fairing mean that those are aluminium rims with a layer of carbon over them just for aerodynamics improvement?

Yep. Even for the disc.

Awesome! That would at least deal with my fear for the material use.

I'm partly scared of carbon...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VtebbEjnlQ

I do Zipp's impact testing these days.

Pinch flat anyone?

In order to produce a heavier hit than currently possible using machines?

Yep. They found even the largest hydraulic presses didn't generate as much force as my arse landing on the bike after fucking up a bunnyhop over a Famous British Pothole.

Tub, innit.

Yes, (good) carbon doesn't brake as much as bad/old carbon, and (good) steel doesn't weight as much as bad/old steel... I've seen those videos of carbon being abused without problems.

But if I'm asking for aero aluminium wheels/rims, it's because carbon isn't for me, not because I want to argue if paying for good trusty carbon instead of a cheaper aluminium version makes sense in my case (it doesn't).

Also seen some blood-by-busted-carbon accidents while riding mountainbikes, hard to forget.. as the first time you see a cyclist killed by a car..

The Hplus son rims you linked to aren't remotely aero. Get something like a Flo30 if you want to keep things alu. Or a faired alu option as has been mentioned.

not because I want to argue if paying for good trusty carbon instead of a cheaper aluminium version makes sense in my case (it doesn't).]

Aero and aluminium isn't something that go well together, the only one that claim to be mitely aerodynamic is the 3T Accelero 40 Pro which I suggest taking with a pinch of salts.

If you truly want aerodynamic and an alu braking surface, the alu rims with carbon flaring is your best option.

Also seen some blood-by-busted-carbon accidents while riding mountainbikes, hard to forget.. as the first time you see a cyclist killed by a car.

I have my fair share of seeing products failing, in and out of the shop, that doesn't necessary mean it's common as murk.

shamals with narrow tires (and low spoke count) should still be pretty aero

Rolf say

The Vigor α is the fastest alloy wheel on the market without qualification - no matter which direction the wind is blowing.

Their old ones are still sought out by people in the know

how about the old shamal? aren't them aero?

Nice idea with the spokes trailing each other in pairs. Why isn't it used more often?
Does that spoke pattern work (for a long-lasting wheel) or is it only good for race wheels?