Aero Vs. Climbing Wheels: Which is Fastest?

This video contains product placement from Hunt Bike Wheels. Conventional wisdom says that aero wheels are faster on the flat and lightweight wheels are faster on the climbs but exactly how much faster? Senior technical writer Simon von Bromley delves into the lab to find out!

Brands often produce their aero claims based on testing by professional riders, at speeds that are often unattainable to the “normal” rider.

What exactly are the differences in the real world, for a normal rider like Simon? Does rotating weight actually matter on climbs? Are aero wheels actually worth it?

Thanks to our sponsors, Hunt for helping to make this video happen by sending us the wheels featured.

We have the Hunt 60 Limitless Aero Disc and the 32 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc.

The aero-optimised 60 Limitless wheels use a highly progressive, ultra-wide design, with a 60mm deep and 34mm wide rim. They weigh in at a claimed 1,669g, which are light but not ultra light.

On the other hand, the 32 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc wheels are designed to be as light as possible.

They use a shallow, hookless carbon rim which measures 32mm deep and 25mm wide. They also have carbon fibre spokes, which are said to be both lighter and stiffer than conventional steel spokes. The aerodynamicist wheels weigh in at a claimed 1,213g.

Do you feel the difference aero wheels make? Or are you a lightweight wheels no matter what rider? Let us know in the comments!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:57 The Wheels
02:11 Flat Test
05:02 Climbing Test
07:10 Conclusion

#bikeradar #roadcycling #aerodynamics

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[bikeradar]

Aero or lightweight wheelset? Tell us your choice in the comments! 🪶💨👇

[sabamacx]

Aero wheels look cooler, so that's ultimately the reason why I'll choose them.

[marktindale]

Lighter wheels are faster when accelerating. Against gravity on a hill, but also at stop signs, roundabouts, sharp corners, traffic lights etc. if you’re riding in a velodrome, or on long unbroken country roads then sure aero is better. However, if you use your bike for all sorts of urban rides; to commute, city group rides, possibly even crit racing and so on (I.e. most of us), a light weight wheel will be more fun, more of the time.

[eto]

This video is clear proof why weight matters. In race situations, the light wheels are so close in aero performance and any gain is totally negated by being in a pack. Uphill, the weight advantage is clear and where you make the largest gains in time or energy savings.

[DaviCupra]

I use 40mm carbon deep rims, look good, light and aero enough for me!

[tman]

As a pro mechanic this info is what I've found out in my own tests, with my own riders. It's also what I discuss with my riders & paying customers.
This is real world info, for real conditions & scenarios. Though the shallower of the two wheels here, is a semi aero/mid depth wheel that many pros use regularly. There's shallower, less aero, lighter wheels available, better suited to this test & which will give greater differences.

For the majority of non racing riders, think also about comfort & instability in windy conditions.
The deeper the rim, the less comfort & a more rigid wheel in general.
The shallower the rim, the opposite, though rigidity not compromised too much that poses a problem. It's more that deep rims are ultimately more rigid items due to their depth, construction & mass.

In the real world of these non racers, the ultimate speed differences in each make no difference & so go with what you like & what you feel thinks suits you & your riding type & terrain. Remember though, there's nothing wrong with the conventional non aero rim of upto 20mm or so, they've been used in all sport & racing environments over many many years & I still get asked to build such.
Oh a very lightweight shallow rim built on to a quality pr of lightweight hubs will out perform all others on climbs. Tubular on such, even more so.

Excellent vlog, especially compared to others I've watched on YT ..just the comfort issue left out. I forgive you :-)

[Mr_Andersound]

My Tarmac came with Roval 60 deep wheels, but the terror from side winds is a real issue, north UK, and had a diffident 'creak' when at the top of the cassette uphills, so replaced with Hunt carbon 35's for a much better all round experience.

[andrewdeanenglish]

I have the Hunt shallower wheels because I have recently moved to a pretty windy area, and I like tackling the steeper climbs if and when I get the energy! A really helpful video for me as I was tempted to get deeper rims. Many thanks 👍

[Sasquatch-tn]

I went with the "Jack of all trades and master of none" approach. Bontrager aeolus pro3V carbon wheel that is 37mm deep D-shaped arrow wheel with 25mm wide tire bed and 108 rapid engagement hubs. I run a 32mm GP5000 tubeless for climbing and riding fast in the flats in peak riding season. The swap over to Maxxis Rambler 38mm tubeless with a Victoria insert to hammer a little gravel in the off-season. I have been very happy!

[twatts]

It shouldn't be a surprised that in a test designed to assess speed on a constant level, aero wins, or that in a test with only a steep climb weight wins.

For average riders, we'll never do only one.
Lower weight feels nice, and encourages an all out effort - if you can't afford deep carbon wheels, lightweight shallow alloy (with good hubs) will feel much better.
Aerodynamics generally help with the average and peak speeds - in my experience and overall faster ride.

[robinseibel]

It should be noted that your lightweight wheels were also aero wheels, just not as aero as the other set. That means the lightweight wheels were getting an aero and weight advantage. It'd be interesting to see how a 42-45-ish mm set of wheels fared. They'd likely have been much closer to the deeper wheels on the track and likewise much closer to the 32mm wheels on the climb. IMHO, 42-45-ish mm seems the best depth for an all-around wheelset, at least in my mind. I guess that's why I've got a set of 45mm deep rims being laced to my hubs right now.

[kevinlewis]

A lot of people getting dropped on the flats? I mean unless your keen on the solo breakaway in your group ride or race, is there really an advantage to an aero wheel in the draft? Aero does look better, I'll have to agree there, but beyond that I would say most riders would benefit more from the 'help' on the climbs that a lightweight wheel would provide.

[mohamadjamil]

You did a good video. Keep those coming. I have an aero set and love the way they ride and look. I live in dubai so mostly flat. I also bought a light weight shallow rims for those very windy days as it is impossible to control the bike on windy desert days. They will help me as well when I go to the mountains

[timtaylor]

i choose shallow for total body comfort, but i do more endurance riding. most ppl just get deep section cuz they look cool. i like the way a sub 14lb bike feels too, light and zippy, and i enjoy climbing more than time trialing or riding long boring flats.

[Chibster]

I run a 48mm aero wheel set. Great all around except for descending where they tend to “sail” above 45k per hour. For this reason I prefer shallower rims for mountain rides.

[IAMsterdam]

A velodrome at almost 40 km/h is not a real world test for 99% of people.

[BTcycle]

Great test. I own the Hunt 54 aerodynamicist and was debating to get the Hunt 32 (shown in the video) for climbing. I only do big climbing rides at Fondo events so I'll stick with my 54mm.

[SignorLuigi]

Almost 40km/hr is an impressive level of "normal" riding. 😳 I'll take those climbing wheels, please.

[hs]

Having been fond of criteriums and ridden hundreds, I can definitively say light wheels--at the rim and tire--make a huge difference in acceleration. #Anecdata

[billyboyet]

I live in Alps In France so the lightweigh weels 😅
Thanks you for this very good video !!