The Best Advice For Cyclists Using 88mm Carbon Clincher Wheel Sets

It's great that you have 88mm carbon clincher wheel sets - they are truly masterpieces of aerodynamic design. Now listen up - here's the best advice you'll get:

1. When mounting tubes and tires, you should only use plastic tire levers

It's actually possible to mount a tire without using any tools. However, if you really have to use tire levers, make sure that they're plastic without any sharp edges.

2. Invest in good wheel bearings

It really doesn't make any sense having super-aerodynamic wheel designs, yet installing wheel bearings that have too much friction. Just as you have invested in getting the best carbon clincher, which is quite costly, you should also spare no cost in getting equally good bearings.

However, just getting high quality bearings isn't the end. You also need to prepare those new bearings for the race. Human Kinetics reveals that worn bearings have much less friction compared to new ones. Therefore, you should practice on your bike before the actual race.

3. Check the tube before adding pressure

Before adding pressure, you must ensure that the tube is properly fitted inside the tire. You can confirm this by squeezing around the tire. Keep checking while you carefully inflate the tire.

4. Don't exceed the recommended tire pressure

Despite any suggestion on the contrary, you should never exceed the maximum tire pressure. Carbon clinchers normally possess a lower pressure limit (about 120 psi) compared to aluminum rims (between 140 to 160 psi). Excessive pressure in carbon wheels can lead to tube bursts, especially since carbon fiber isn't as good as metal in dissipating heating, which gets transferred into the tube and increases tire pressure.

5. Don't exceed the rider's weight limit

You can only achieve maximum benefits from your carbon wheel if you use it within the recommended optimal conditions. Therefore, you must comply with the recommended weight limit for riders, which is intended for your protection.

6. Check for the most suitable wheel size

Typically, smaller wheels would experience greater rolling resistance compared to larger ones. However, smaller wheels are lighter and much more appropriate for climbing hills, swift cornering and accelerating. This means that large wheel designs are best suited for straight tracks with limited topographical features; whereas small designs would work well in challenging landscapes.

You can also take advantage of the combination of a small front disc with a larger back wheel to provide added stability when riding. This helps when cycling through severe winds.

7. Get high efficiency chains and gears

To get an all-round efficient riding machine, you need to apply efficiency in every aspect of your bike. Bicycle gears and chains will play a key role in such efficiency. Based on a 1986 report by the International Journal of Sports Biomechanics, roller chain transmissions and sprockets offer the greatest efficiency. When properly oiled, such a mechanism would only experience an energy loss of 2 - 4%.

8. Drop latex for butyl tubes

Many carbon wheel manufacturers advice against using latex tubes, because latex is more susceptible to heat compared to butyl. This can lead to unexpected flatting, even without the tire coming off the rim.


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Ben offers his best insights, based on his experience in handling 88mm carbon clincher wheel sets. You can avoid many unnecessary mistakes by following these simple tips. Carbon Bike Wheels will supply you with high quality carbon wheels. To get a good bargain for your wheelset, please visit http://www.carbonbikewheels.com.au/product/88mm-carbon-clincher-wheelset/ .