Carbon Vs Aluminium Wheels | Which MTB Wheels Should You Choose?

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  • Опубліковано 27 сер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 136

  • @gmbntech
    @gmbntech  7 місяців тому +4

    Carbon Vs Aluminium. Which would you choose and why? Let us know 👇

    • @federaldelii
      @federaldelii 7 місяців тому +1

      I’ll definitely take the carbon wheels every time 💯💯👍🏻👍🏻. Carbon everything 🤘🏻🤘🏻

    • @billyunair
      @billyunair 7 місяців тому +3

      Alloy all day. Alloy double wall rims on my BMX. Alloy on my cross country MTB.

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +4

      Aluminum is stronger for a fraction of the price, and it can be recycled unlike carbon.

    • @Superteastain
      @Superteastain 7 місяців тому +1

      I'm team carbon. It's a big weight saving. Front end feels so much lighter.

    • @raimg1816
      @raimg1816 7 місяців тому +1

      Alloy , since we are 2 riders in family for difrences in price can go to nice mtb vacations 😂😂😂 and spank should be spanked for such a overpricing on cheep alloy piece, what required minimum effort to manufacture 😂😂😂

  • @Dan_Kornfeld
    @Dan_Kornfeld 7 місяців тому +10

    I ride enduro, all mountain, and uplift park (riding everything from fast flow, to tech, to drops big and small). I exclusively use aluminum rims (DT Swiss) for both its' ability to take almost everything I subject it to, and for being something that can potentially be fixed (bent back) enough to allow me to finish an enduro stage, or at the very least, allow me to ride my bike to the bottom of the mountain (as opposed to having to carry my bike with a shattered wheel all the way back!)

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +1

      My Spank Spike 33 rims have over 9,000 miles on them, plenty of lift sessions and twice down Barr trail Pikes Peak, all on hardtails. And they are still straight as new.

    • @peggz223
      @peggz223 7 місяців тому +1

      Star ratchet free hub with alloy rims gotta be the gold standard park rat combo

    • @live4uncbball
      @live4uncbball 7 місяців тому

      I’ve ridden the same conditions on two bikes, one is all alloy the other all carbon. Never had a mechanical on either, and honestly can’t tell much of difference. Love em both because they’re bikes

  • @aggregatemelons
    @aggregatemelons 7 місяців тому +4

    I'm really enjoying my WA1 union carbon rims, felt like they breathed.new life into my Enduro bike. I was denting my alloy rims, they were cheap bontrager ones. We are one build bombproof rims and offer a lifetime warranty even if I blow them up in a crash. Bike feels lighter and snappier.

  • @robinbreeds9217
    @robinbreeds9217 7 місяців тому +6

    £2,000.00 for Carbon Mavic CROSSMAX SL ULTIMATE 25 29 Weight Pair : 1355g
    £399.20 for Aluminium HUNT Race XC MTB 29 Wheelset Weight : 1517g

  • @ThisGuyRides
    @ThisGuyRides 7 місяців тому +7

    I run double mixed wheelset, Carbon 29er front, alloy 27.5 rear. This is what works for me.

    • @1986mancini
      @1986mancini 7 місяців тому +1

      That sounds like a nice set up

    • @zayon0170
      @zayon0170 6 місяців тому +1

      make sense!

  • @andrewsiasparks
    @andrewsiasparks 7 місяців тому +7

    Carbon feels quicker to get up to speed but there's that thought in the back of my head when shit gets rough 💥

  • @toxicmale1744
    @toxicmale1744 7 місяців тому +5

    Building your own wheels massively opens up the possibilities and virtually anyone can easily do it. It really is easy. No longer limited by what's already built or paying for the build, which is expensive. All ten of my wheels have aluminium rims because carbon rims are way too expensive in my opinion. And modern aluminium rims typically offer great performance and a comfortable ride. I prefer my hands intact, not throbbing in pain.

  • @billyunair
    @billyunair 7 місяців тому +3

    Anna Cippulo is amazing. I could listen to her all day.

  • @abtcup
    @abtcup 7 місяців тому +7

    I have both. It’s not really a make or break difference. As a light rider (145lbs)…I did find the 30mm carbon rims with 2.3/2.35 tires can be a bit fatiguing on long downhills…but it’s not a deal breaker. My personal preference is 25mm carbon rims with my 2.3 tires and 30mm aluminum with 2.5 and wider.

  • @TonyToretto25
    @TonyToretto25 7 місяців тому +1

    I have a set of both. When one gets dented or cracked, breaks a spoke, or whatever… the other set goes on the bike. I always have the alloys with me as a backup for long weekends/trips

  • @danvalicek
    @danvalicek 7 місяців тому +9

    I'm not a pfofessional racer, I drive for fun, I don't care about a pound more or less.

  • @troyesch6203
    @troyesch6203 7 місяців тому +5

    I just ordered my first set of carbon rims. It sucks that the only way to try them is to buy them. So I’ll either love em or regret spending too much on them.
    We are one rims, Berd spokes and onyx hubs.

    • @wd99999
      @wd99999 7 місяців тому +1

      You will love WR1

    • @mlee6050
      @mlee6050 6 місяців тому

      Enjoy I'm looking at Ibis S28 and Berd and Kom Xeno hubs, be fun to build them

  • @j.albertogratacos2076
    @j.albertogratacos2076 7 місяців тому +2

    I have a trail/enduro fullsus and a hardcore hardtail. They have the same or similar setup on most everything. But on the fullsus, I have carbon wheels and, on the hardtail, I have alloy. I tried the carbons on the hardtail and liked their "accuracy" but ended up with the alloys for a smoother ride.

  • @MrChadLedford
    @MrChadLedford 7 місяців тому +2

    Carbon wheels have been more durable than aluminum ever was for me as a large rider. Aluminum was lucky to make it through a whole season. I'm on 3 years on we are one.

  • @johnwilliams8894
    @johnwilliams8894 7 місяців тому +1

    I have carbon rims on my enduro ebike and alloy on my full suss trail bike. The best thing I recommend is to get your alloy rims build up by a skilled wheel builder, the difference is amazing, and it's not that costly either. A middle range alloy rim will make a superb wheelset when properly built. Maybe I've been fortunate but I have locally built mavic alloy rims on hope hubs, I've had them years, they never go out of true and are a joy to ride.

    • @gmbntech
      @gmbntech  7 місяців тому

      Sounds like you've found the perfect combo for you, and you've found a great wheel builder 🤘

  • @0530AZTECA
    @0530AZTECA 7 місяців тому +2

    How I wish Doddy was still at GMBN tech. He is so knowledgeable 🤙🏼

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому

      Well he ain't

    • @woduk
      @woduk 7 місяців тому

      Everyone moves on can’t be around forever

  • @TheMachoGabacho
    @TheMachoGabacho 7 місяців тому +5

    My next bike will be a short travel full suspension bike, and I’m planning on a set of carbon wheels with lighter tires for XC style riding, and alloy with heavier tires for chunkier trails.

    • @gmbntech
      @gmbntech  7 місяців тому +2

      nice! Let us know how you get on. It's always nice to get some new bits!

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +3

      Great job wasting your money

    • @eXaviar
      @eXaviar 7 місяців тому +2

      ​@@dystopiaisutopialet him use his money the way he wants, dude 😂 i am sure that there are a lot of people call owning a Porsche is a waste of money 😅

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +1

      @@eXaviar Yes maybe but hopefully that won't be his only bike, if a rims breaks he won't be able to ride for a while. But a typical Porsche owner has multiple cars.

    • @eXaviar
      @eXaviar 7 місяців тому +1

      @@dystopiaisutopia maybe he has multiple wheelsets 😁 because I doubt that the bike itself will break

  • @AdventureRich
    @AdventureRich 7 місяців тому +1

    What are the odds this video coming out the day I ordered my Spank Vibracore 😁

  • @jadevillaflores9542
    @jadevillaflores9542 7 місяців тому +1

    I love carbon wheel set on my cross-country bike.

  • @gpearce11
    @gpearce11 7 місяців тому +3

    Much like with frames, ive never been able to get passed the value advantages of alloy, no matter how good a carbon rim is. With one exception; if you're very hard on rims, there's a handful of makers with fairly unconditional lifetime warranties on their carbon rims, so it kinda makes sense there.
    Or it did, until Reserve recently updated their alloy lineup, and now offer lifetime warranties for their alloy rims as well, so I guess there isn't really a good reason to buy carbon anymore.

  • @fintancostello_ok
    @fintancostello_ok 7 місяців тому +2

    I say for DH where you don’t really care about weight because when they bend they don’t snap as often. But for like XC just go crazy with carbon ig 😅

    • @robinbreeds9217
      @robinbreeds9217 7 місяців тому +1

      Yeah my Giant XTC i put better kit on have some Mavic Carbon 27.5 all XC kit amazing. But then i do not see the point of expensive Carbon Wheels for a E bike or Down Hill as i have seen them out there and Question why spend £2000 or what ever it is when Aluminium are same weight and better price.

    • @fintancostello_ok
      @fintancostello_ok 7 місяців тому

      @@robinbreeds9217 Yes even if your racing DH like I do, I still don’t see the point of spending so much money on your rims! Just go buy like berd spokes and that will give you more compliance thru turns than carbon rims..

  • @jimm244
    @jimm244 7 місяців тому +2

    I’ve ridden both. It’s not a make or break proposition, but I prefer my Reserve carbons. They just feel precise.
    Is it worth the price? Hmmmm.

  • @dcv9460
    @dcv9460 7 місяців тому +2

    Just alloy rims - carbon rims are so expensive 😎💯

  • @jonzylka9474
    @jonzylka9474 3 місяці тому

    For down hill.. aluminum no question. For XC…. Hands down, CARBON!! The way a carbon wheel set can transform a bike is undeniable…. Love carbon wheels

  • @woduk
    @woduk 7 місяців тому

    Always ran hope wheels never had any issues. Priced well for the quality you get. probably would try carbon if had chance but rather spend more on a decent frame and fork

  • @derekgilson7279
    @derekgilson7279 3 місяці тому

    So for cross country riding or along the road, would you pick carbon or aluminum

  • @_petar
    @_petar 3 місяці тому +1

    Weight was so important with mtb or any bike, but suddenly ebikes arrive and guess what it is not important anymore, well so in this case my ebike has all steel parts on the drivetrain because I am smart!

  • @JeffMTBinVA
    @JeffMTBinVA 7 місяців тому

    Alloy for sure. #ASKGMBNTECH Would love to see a detailed video comparing and contrasting smartwatches vs bike computer for MTB like Garmin for example that makes both.

  • @wpautz
    @wpautz 7 місяців тому

    Carbon in the back for me. I might also go for carbon in the front if I could afford it. But I mostly didn't want to worry about denting my wheel, and not have to fuss with inserts. Only a pro racer would ride so hard that breaking it would be a concern.

  • @stevengoodwin3154
    @stevengoodwin3154 7 місяців тому

    Every time I upgrade my wheel set (less mass), the bike feels much better (tune your suspension). The Strava times indicate I'm faster on lighter wheels, which is common. However, fun on a mtb to me is the speed. If you or someone you know rides just to ride, not really caring about the performance of the bike, then ride the heavier wheels. People who prefer the best, and can afford it, will be on carbon (enduro racers exempt).

  • @thevapingpolisher9717
    @thevapingpolisher9717 7 місяців тому +1

    I like my aluminum wtb I 30 wheels

  • @Evertb1
    @Evertb1 7 місяців тому +1

    I witnessed two accidents with Carbon wheels. Especially the one on the road (the rider was hitting a pothole) was horrible. The wheel literally disintegrated and he went over the bar. Not a fun sight to see. The rider needed some operations on his shoulder and upper arm. The MTB accident I witnessed was less brutal to the rider (mainly a wounded pride) but again it seems to be that the wheel just disintegrated violently. It was at the landing of a jump. I have never seen an alloy wheel do that complete disintegrating thingy.

    • @gmbntech
      @gmbntech  7 місяців тому +1

      Not good! Hopefully both riders made a full recovery 🤞

  • @murdoch9106
    @murdoch9106 7 місяців тому

    You should see the rims on my 21 year old Specialized dirt jumper... I think its half the weight of the bike if not more, they are insane, getting tires on and off is a nightmare..!
    Would be easier to get a motocross tire off a rim with toothpicks!

  • @Matraka2000
    @Matraka2000 2 місяці тому +1

    Enduro bikers go down only down, they do not care but country racers we need less weight for going up and up.

  • @eXaviar
    @eXaviar 7 місяців тому +1

    I have never ridden carbon yet and most likely will never do, because to dont see enough benefit to justify the higher price for it... Same with other components 😅 i like metal so much that u just started building a steel monster gravel and last summer, i finished building a steel enduro hardtail 😍
    On big thing against carbon is its failure habits: it will crack, so the ride is over and that carbon will go to the landfill. No recycling 😢
    Of course, I see the benefits for professional use 👍🏾 but not for the hobby rider I am with a focus on reliability and cost

  • @cugi78
    @cugi78 7 місяців тому +1

    Alloy for all, road, mtb, touring, gravel

  • @robertmcfadyen9156
    @robertmcfadyen9156 7 місяців тому

    How about thermoplastic fiber wheels . An advancement from Skyway BMX wheels .

  • @fud1376
    @fud1376 7 місяців тому +3

    I chose the ones I can afford....Ha!

  • @tmill2001
    @tmill2001 7 місяців тому +1

    I have alloy now...just lend me a set of carbons and I'll review them...70 kilos here

  • @Andy_ATB
    @Andy_ATB 7 місяців тому +3

    If you don't race, then aluminium.......

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +1

      Racing only pays minimum wage anyway so...

  • @chehogg
    @chehogg 7 місяців тому

    I choose carbon because I find that I need them trued so much less often, saving money.

  • @MrMuz99
    @MrMuz99 7 місяців тому +23

    Exotic plastic isn't for me, no matter how good they are. I'll stick to aluminium.

    • @gmbntech
      @gmbntech  7 місяців тому +3

      out of interest, why is carbon not your choice? Cheers!

    • @MrMuz99
      @MrMuz99 7 місяців тому +14

      @gmbntech - You can't recycle carbon, easily, super expensive to buy almost all of the time, I honestly don't see the benefits of saving a little weight when a side impact could tear your fancy frame in two. Yes it can be repaired, but you'd likely not have the same issue with Aluminium. For me, the price of it all just isn't worth it. Metal is recyclable, though you won't be able to repair it like you can carbon. Most of us will never own a fancy set of carbon wheels or high-end frame with amazing parts to match. Feels like the industry is just screwing everyone for all they've got.

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +10

      ​@@gmbntechIt's bad for the environment for one...

    • @billyunair
      @billyunair 7 місяців тому +4

      Carbon is not as durable as alloy.

    • @billyunair
      @billyunair 7 місяців тому +10

      Better to lose body weight and or increase VO2 Max than use any carbon. Carbon is a rip off.

  • @crankshoptv8141
    @crankshoptv8141 7 місяців тому +8

    I see a lot more seemingly random catastrophic failures from carbon wheels.

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +5

      That's because it shouldn't be on bikes at all.

    • @federaldelii
      @federaldelii 7 місяців тому

      Because the quality of build is very important at carbon made parts. Choose the Reserve or Beast or Specialized Roval brands 👍🏻

    • @MrMuz99
      @MrMuz99 7 місяців тому +1

      @@federaldelii - Those wheels are pretty much unattainable to a high percentage of riders.

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +4

      @@MrMuz99 "If you spend all your money carbon is strong." That's pretty much his argument lol.
      Meanwhile my Spank Spike Race 33 wheels have 9,000 miles on them, ridden up and back down Pikes Peak Barr trail twice and many lift sessions, all on a hardtail. Carbon wheels break on full suspensions 😂

    • @MrMuz99
      @MrMuz99 7 місяців тому +1

      @dystopiaisutopia - Nice wheels! I'll bet they didn't cost anywhere near what the other guy suggested, cost!
      Quite some miles there, man. 😁

  • @ish474
    @ish474 7 місяців тому

    Anna, I'm going to be in the UK in May and I'm only going to have one day to ride a mountain bike somewhere. where should I go? You guys film so much in The Forest of Dean I would really love to ride ther. But I don't know how big it is or what it's like to ride there. Maybe that wouldn't be the best place.

  • @cr81hq789456
    @cr81hq789456 7 місяців тому

    Its obvious to me unless you are racing and need to get every single second out of your ride, and you have a pit crew following you around to swap your wheel out, i would stick with alloy.
    That pretty much goes for most of the bike including the frame.

  • @deedontworry
    @deedontworry 7 місяців тому

    Alloy! 👍

  • @zacharypump5910
    @zacharypump5910 7 місяців тому +3

    People in lab coats will tell you carbon is stronger, people who work in bike repair shops will tell you it isn’t

  • @ryanmichels2981
    @ryanmichels2981 7 місяців тому

    Carbon wheels on a fatbike are a game changer

    • @robinbreeds9217
      @robinbreeds9217 7 місяців тому +1

      Really why because it takes the weight down that much ?

  • @ianbrown2336
    @ianbrown2336 7 місяців тому

    How are fsa gradients compared to nobl

  • @danrodrigues5460
    @danrodrigues5460 7 місяців тому

    I prefer alloy wheels, because of the cost. But carbon has its charm. I recently made a tubeless pair for my new bike after almost 11 years out of mtb. They were very good

  • @petersilie2432
    @petersilie2432 Місяць тому

    I think this test should've been done by someone heavier ( / hitting).
    I do enjoy Anna's presentation a lot - she's concise, knowledgeable and has good presence. But since stock wheels are built to withstand the forces of much heavier riders she's not the optimal rider for a comparison like this.

  • @zonoskar
    @zonoskar 7 місяців тому

    Haven't found carbon wheels that are much lighter than my alloy wheels (29er 25mm @ 1450 gram) and don't cost as much as a whole bike.

  • @Brainreaver79
    @Brainreaver79 7 місяців тому +1

    700 to 1600 for a single rim? thats so stupendously overprized it beggars believe... thats the same pricing range GCN got laughed out of their video for when they tried arguing bikes as pricey as motorbikes where perfectly ok.

  • @mlee6050
    @mlee6050 6 місяців тому

    And then there is what hub and rim and spokes, oh wait just me who builds my own wheels

  • @stephenniland7954
    @stephenniland7954 7 місяців тому

    #askgmbn why do shimano not do linkglide cassette for MICRO SPLINE only HD ones ?

  • @LaurentiusTriarius
    @LaurentiusTriarius 7 місяців тому

    Don't ride carbon wheels at -14°c it seems to compromise structural integrity.
    Idk if the lifetime warranty model is sustainable for wheel makers 😂
    Anyway a downtime is always a bummer if I was shopping for a new set I'd go with the brand who is known to have the fastest turnaround for warranty claims
    ...

  • @saiiiiiii1
    @saiiiiiii1 7 місяців тому

    Any riding that has the potential for snakebites...aluminium.

  • @fintancostello_ok
    @fintancostello_ok 7 місяців тому +1

    POV Walmart sees this video: How about plastic 😎

  • @Nat3Z12
    @Nat3Z12 7 місяців тому

    #askgmbntech I have a nukeproof reactor with 140mm rear travel. I’ve seen videos of people travel converting their 140mm travel commencal meta tr’s with conversion kits. Is this possible with the reactor ?

  • @dystopiaisutopia
    @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому +8

    Carbon anything on bikes is trash. Focus on your strength, not your wheel material. Work on getting your Vo2 max under 55 and ride over 50 miles a week. You know, ACTUAL things that will make you a stronger rider.
    Eat right, get enough sleep by not worrying about wheel material and just ride your bike.
    The future is lame, just people arguing about a few grams here and there. Whatever happened to just riding your damn bike????

  • @iksdaleet3922
    @iksdaleet3922 7 місяців тому +1

    25years of mtb here. Only carbon thing on my bikes are spacers. In all years of mtb(dh), rallying, rc racing I've seen the true side of carbon
    ..when it cracks and it will crack, then it will be devastating consequences.

  • @MarioV73
    @MarioV73 2 місяці тому

    Guys at GMBN, please set Anna straight. She has something against the alloy material, and that's just annoying. In what is supposed to be a wheel material comparison video, she fails to mention the fatiguing quality of carbon until less than 30 seconds left in her 8:37 video. And even that quote comes out of her mouth so very forced.
    Yet she made sure to mention that downhill riders from one sponsored team elect to ride carbon wheels. So? And? Do we know what's behind that one team's selection of carbon wheels over alloy? Did the sponsor give them a choice? Do they get paid for riding carbon, since carbon has a greater markup and therefore greater profit? Do those riders ride carbon only during races to advertise, but ride alloy on other rides? And why do other sponsored teams ride alloy wheels while they too have a choice of two materials? We need more info here to make an informed decision.
    If she can't give a fair comparison between the two materials, then how truly informative are her videos? Again, please, do something about this, will ya? Set her straight, or her videos will be ignored.

  • @robertmcfadyen9156
    @robertmcfadyen9156 7 місяців тому

    The downside of carbon is fixing a tubeless flat when the sealant doesn't do the job , if inserts like cushcore are fitted . The changing of a tyre in this situation can be daunting , sometimes difficult with tyre levers . The rim sidewall can crack if tyre levers are pushed hard .

    • @gmbntech
      @gmbntech  7 місяців тому

      It's best to take your time in those scenarios, which is easier said than done... Try and push the bead into the wheel well as much as you can before using tire levers 😬

  • @simonm1447
    @simonm1447 7 місяців тому

    I ride aluminium rims - they are good enough for everything I do with them and they cost significantly less than carbon rims.
    My XC bike has 27,5 inch wheels, they are more handy on curvy forest trails

  • @jonathanzappala
    @jonathanzappala 7 місяців тому +1

    The tired old carbon stereotype. If you crack a carbon rim, you would have dented an alloy one, carbon wheels are stronger. Watch Danny Mac ride a carbon wheel without a tire down a set of stairs.

  • @oronzocana1103
    @oronzocana1103 7 місяців тому

    Very easy answer in 2024 ;-D .. carbon for soft\smooth\good traction trails and\or heavy weight\hard hitting riders that destroy alu wheels; alu for hard\dusty\loose
    ocky low traction trails and\or light weight\wheels on the ground\smooth riders that find carbon wheels harsh\fatiguing\challenging to find traction with....assuming you're on the right width rims\tire\insert
    o insert combo.

    • @cr81hq789456
      @cr81hq789456 7 місяців тому

      You make no sense. Heavy riders snap carbon wheels. The rougher the ride the less likely you want carbon. She misspoke. Its more rigid, not necessarily stronger.

  • @Lex-Rex
    @Lex-Rex 7 місяців тому +1

    Get what you can afford and enjoy the ride. The majority of people get into the weeds with this nonsense. Furthermore, the majority of us are not pros and are weekend warriors and the placebo effect is real.

  • @dystopiaisutopia
    @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому

    I swear you keep making the same videos with such a predictable format it makes it hard to stay interested past 2 months.
    You always talk about the same things. Where are all the interviews with racers? Seems GMBN just loves talking to themselves and not evolving over the years, always trying to get new viewers, but doing nothing different to keep old viewers.
    GMBN thinks they know everything but they really don't. Doddy left and the replacements aren't even half as good, but they sure seem to think they know everything!
    Find a new way to make money, because recycling videos isn't gonna last much longer.

    • @federaldelii
      @federaldelii 7 місяців тому

      Are you blind 😎🤣🤣🤣🤣 this channel is not Gmbn.. this is Gmbn Tech 👉🏻😆🤓

    • @ThisGuyRides
      @ThisGuyRides 7 місяців тому

      It's not just GMBN, I see the same in car and motorcycle magazines. Same stories but different writers.

    • @dystopiaisutopia
      @dystopiaisutopia 7 місяців тому

      @@federaldelii All one company broski

  • @agg25gga
    @agg25gga 7 місяців тому +1

    I just don't think the double or triple cost is justified. The average rider would barely notice the difference, although they might tell you they do after buying them so they don't feel cheated.