Ebay carbon wheels

JR23

Hi, I'm looking for people's opinions on these wheels that are for sale on eBay. I've a feeling they could be rubbish at that price but I said I'd ask anyway.
Thanks for the feedback.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/60mm-Tubular-23mm-Wide-700C-Carbon-Fiber-Road-Racing-Bike-Wheelsets-Bike-Wheels-/331468507241?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d2d100869

StevieGriff

You get what you pay for really. Have to ask yourself why the wheelset is nearly 700 euro cheaper than an entry level set from an established brand.

Tom__jnr2

I would rather pay extra and get flo wheelset.

JR23

Tom__jnr2 wrote: »

I would rather pay extra and get flo wheelset.

http://www.flocycling.com/wheels_front_flo_60.php

Nice!!!

dermabrasion

I bought a set of Taylormade irons on eBay a few years back. I was playing with my boss at his very posh club. I stepped up to hit a 6 iron and the head flew off onto the next fairway. I brought them to the local golf shop, and the eventually confirmed they were counterfeit, after sending them to the Taylormade factory. They were impressed how close they were to the real thing.
Anyway, I shudder to think about a wheel disintegrating coming down the Sally gap. Even if it is a good copy.

JR23

dermabrasion wrote: »

I bought a set of Taylormade irons on eBay a few years back. I was playing with my boss at his very posh club. I stepped up to hit a 6 iron and the head flew off onto the next fairway. I brought them to the local golf shop, and the eventually confirmed they were counterfeit, after sending them to the Taylormade factory. They were impressed how close they were to the real thing.
Anyway, I shudder to think about a wheel disintegrating coming down the Sally gap. Even if it is a good copy.

Yeah I just had that thought myself, not worth risking my life over a cheap wheel.

XtotheZ

raced on chinesse wheels abit last year, very good. easily as good if not better than my ffwd f4rs. forget the elitest rubbish

JR23

XtotheZ wrote: »

raced on chinesse wheels abit last year, very good. easily as good if not better than my ffwd f4rs. forget the elitest rubbish

That's interesting, where did u get the wheels?

iwillhtfu

I've done about 4k kms on a set of Chinese rims. They have been faultless even coming down off Sally gap numerous times. They have never had to be trued they were in good shape out of the box. The only thing I'd change if I could would be the hubs but the nova tecs they came on are good enough tbh.

As above though you take your chances but the more well known Asian sellers will have decent wheels.

JR23

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I've done about 4k kms on a set of Chinese rims. They have been faultless even coming down off Sally gap numerous times. They have never had to be trued they were in good shape out of the box. The only thing I'd change if I could would be the hubs but the nova tecs they came on are good enough tbh.

As above though you take your chances but the more well known Asian sellers will have decent wheels.

Good stuff, can you recommend any well known sellers?

Eamonnator

About two years ago, I bought a pair of 38mm carbon wheels with Novatec rims.
The 3rd time, I used them, was on The Wicklow 200. Descending the Shay Elliot, I braked fairly hard. The front wheel shuddered and continued to do so, every time, I pulled the front brake. When I got to Dundrum, I checked pads and rim. There was a portion of the rim, about 10cms, on the braking surface, which had deformed. I finished spin. I emailed seller. They replaced front wheel, in fact, they didn't even ask for me to return the wheel to them. I used wheels twice more. On the Tour of Louth, same thing happened with back wheel. Again wheel was replaced. The same thing happened both new wheels, only this tine, seller stopped replying to my emails. I am now in the position, where I have 4 useless wheels.
I certainly would not buy generic Chines wheels again, nor would I recommend them to my worst enemy.
If this makes me elitist, then so be it.

iwillhtfu

JR23 wrote: »

Good stuff, can you recommend any well known sellers?

I wouldn't have one to recommend. I think I got mine off yoleo they worked out at about €450-500 after clearing customs etc. I've no complaints about their service.

You'll hear all kinds of horror stories and some will be true some will be gratuitous. As for the comment above I'm guessing any carbon rim could warp if you brake agressively but it's something to consider.

If you have the money to buy the real deal then that'd be your best bet but there's an awful lot of people riding on Chinese rims and frames but not all are willing to admit it.

There's a website that has plenty of detail on Chinese carbon can't think of the name of it though.

easygoing39

If you have €500 free cash to gamble,buy a set of chinese carbon wheels.If they stay together,youve got a bargin,if they fall apart you've only lost €500.Then its time to invest in a proper known brand of carbon rims,just remember you get what you pay for,and proper carbon wheels cost €2000+.

bog_savage

I have a pair of clinchers from that seller , and can't fault em ,
Had to get em trued after 200km , perfect since .
Hit a few good pot holes and a VW golf ( btw I'm 100kg ) and have generally abused them since they didnt cost much ,
Still a great wheel @ 3k+ km
I personally think unless you are elite you wont see much of an advantage in a guzzi wheel

Taxuser1

easygoing39 wrote: »

If you have €500 free cash to gamble,buy a set of chinese carbon wheels.If they stay together,youve got a bargin,if they fall apart you've only lost €500.Then its time to invest in a proper known brand of carbon rims,just remember you get what you pay for,and proper carbon wheels cost €2000+.

i'd love to be your bike shop

JR23

bog_savage wrote: »

I have a pair of clinchers from that seller , and can't fault em ,
Had to get em trued after 200km , perfect since .
Hit a few good pot holes and a VW golf ( btw I'm 100kg ) and have generally abused them since they didnt cost much ,
Still a great wheel @ 3k+ km
I personally think unless you are elite you wont see much of an advantage in a guzzi wheel

Nice one, what size did you go for?

mossym

XtotheZ wrote: »

raced on chinesse wheels abit last year, very good. easily as good if not better than my ffwd f4rs. forget the elitest rubbish

elitest?

have a read. plus a pic.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91845691&postcount=781


that' and the couple of other horror stories here are enough to suggest it's far from elitism. if budget is more important than safety, then fair enough. cycling probably not the best sport to be in though

bog_savage

JR23 wrote: »

Nice one, what size did you go for?

38 front and 60 back . If I had to do it again i'd get 38/38 or 50/50 . Long neck tubes for the 60 are less common

XtotheZ

mossym wrote: »

elitest?

have a read. plus a pic.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91845691&postcount=781


that' and the couple of other horror stories here are enough to suggest it's far from elitism. if budget is more important than safety, then fair enough. cycling probably not the best sport to be in though

it happens, my ffwd cracked btw, difference is i could afford to replace a broken chinese wheel. cant remember where my friend got them tho sorry

mossym

XtotheZ wrote: »

it happens, my ffwd cracked btw, difference is i could afford to replace a broken chinese wheel. cant remember where my friend got them tho sorry

any wheel can break. very true. the only failure i've seen on branded wheels have been cracks but the wheel still usable, as in would get you home, or at least down the hill you were on if that's where they went. i know the guy who made that posti linked to. . i know one other guy who's carbon ebay wheels fell apart as he cycled along. and there is another one in this thread.

buying crap cause you can't afford/afford to replace the real thing is one thing on non essential gear. wheels/brakes/frame i'll stick with the lower chances of something going wrong(as you said, anything can break). if you can;t afford carbon wheels, buy something legit in your budget. or buy from one of the trusted chinese suppliers. but some unknown knockoffs on ebay? it's up to everyone to make their own decision, but not worth the risk in my eyes. rather than buy something on the premise you can afford to replace them if they break, just buy something that most likely won't break in the first place.