Hello fellow Bice enjoyers,
Recently got this carbon wheel and have ridden it so far with no issues.
However, the amount of flex in the middle of the wheel seems like a lot. As seen in the videos the edges of the wheel near the brake track and spokes don’t flex at all but if I press the middle with my finger it moves a couple of mm, this is consistent around the whole wheel.
I have some older Zipp wheels which seem to have almost no flex compared to this. So just wondering if I should keep riding it with this much flex going on?
Thanks in advance!!
by lilbedley
5 Comments
I’m not an expert but what I assume you have is an alloy rim with a carbon-looking cover/ fairing.
It’s not unnormal for deep carbon rims like this to have some decent flex there, though I will admit that seems like a lot more than I’ve ever seen. What rims are they? If they’re a reputable brand you could reach out to the manufacturer and ask. If they’re your classic aliexpress special though, idk how much I’d trust my safety to them…
Between your load bearing spoke nipple seats and your two most essential things keeping you from becoming a meat crayon is some plastic you can bend with your fingers, with no logo or name for your family to sue.
Carbon wheels (and other components) are built to be strong and sturdy against the forces seen in riding, not other unusual load cases. A rim flexing wheel squeezed would be such an “unusual load case”.
Most deep carbon wheels flex to some degree when squeezed, and if they don’t frankly I’d be concerned that they’re overbuilt and therefore heavier than they need to be. For that matter, many *frames* flex when squeezed too – particularly deep-sectioned aero frames.
https://youtu.be/3shAYeE4SLQ
You don’t need to worry about it. If it’s riding fine and in true, it’s working as intended.
Very normal for deep wheels and aero frames.
Do not press it like this though, you could be causing micro cracks. There was a whole thing about the “squeeze test” a few years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-HA9_qhsXw
> I have some older Zipp wheels which seem to have almost no flex compared to this
Are they the same depth? Generally the deeper it is, the more it will flex if you push in the middle.