Road Wheels
Which brake system professional riders in the peloton use is still mixed. While some teams have switched over completely to disc brakes, others are still sticking with the classic rim brake. The advantages and disadvantages to both systems will be clear when we see who wins the races.
In a closed field of riders, different braking systems may lead to some crashes or injuries. However, hobby cyclists don’t often ride in pelotons or at speeds like pro cyclists, which makes disc brakes, with their weather resistance and less mechanical wear, the better choice.
| Advantages of disc brake wheels | Disadvantages of disc brake wheels |
| Less rotating mass on the outside of the wheel | Switching wheels is slightly more complicated |
| No mechanical wear and tear on the rim | Brake adjustment is slightly more complicated |
| New rim design options | Slightly increased weight |
| Improved brake force modulation in all conditions | |
| No tyre failure, inner tube ruptures due to brake surface overheating |
There is a trend in the market towards using wider tyres. Here is the explanation.
Recent tests have shown, that against common believe, wider tyres actually offer less rolling resistance under typical road surface conditions than more narrow tyres. In addition, wider tyres offer added comfort. The larger volume of wider tyres allows slightly lower air pressure which moulds the tyre better to the surface improving traction and power transfer.
Check the table below, to find out what tyre width your rim can handle. The information provided has been take from the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO).
| Rim size / Tyre witdh (mm) | 18 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 32 | 35 | 37 | 40 |
| 13c | X | X | X | X | |||||
| 15c | X | X | X | X | |||||
| 17c | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| 19c | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 21c | X | X | X |
| Advantages of wider tyres | Disadvantages of wider tyres |
| More comfortable ride due to less air pressure | Increased weight makes acceleration harder |
| Less rolling resistance | Less agile steering |
| Less punctures | Less aerodynamic |
Wheels have a lot of rotating mass. It takes more energy to accelerate the same amount of mass if it is located out on the rim as if it is located at the centre of the wheel (or on the frame). This is because the rotational inertia is higher.
Hence, it makes sense to trim weight off the wheels rather than the frame if you do a lot of braking and accelerating, for example in a crit race or when riding in the city with frequent stops at lights. Heavier tyres and rims also influence the steering due to the same reasons.
