Aero Bike Wheel Buyers Guide | By an Engineer

This video was requested by lots of viewers and it covers the selection and purchasing of bike wheels. The main topics are covered in detail and more specific info can be found in my other videos if you are interested.
More data and the full guide are located here
www.hambini.com/bicycle-wheel...
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[@Hambini]

Any feedback on this type of video is gratefully received!

[@qibble455]

Great video There is a slight editing error @7:43 fwiw.

[@112chapters3]

@@qibble455 I’m guessing you joke

[@MrMichaelfalk]

I like facts and hate marketing BS - so for me videos like this are gold 👍

[@solosoulet]

Is that a new Jacket Mr. Hambini? Is it merch one can buy? Is the logo embroidered? Thanks Mr. Hambini! I'm off to bone my hair dresser.

[@nick37781]

How do you feel about using plastic spokes like BERD spokes to save weight?

[@ksbbkr]

Being an engineer - applied mathematics - and an avid cyclist I find this video extremely well made and very informative. Thank you.

[@Jacob99174]

I couldn’t agree more. PhD in Physics here

[@superchickensoup]

@@Jacob99174 👏

[@superchickensoup]

I couldn't agree more but I have not a single qualification, not a single sheet of paper to my name, I smoke weed, don't own a set of aero rims and I don't wear shit lycra, yet I bet I can out climb and out descend all you fancy pants with your bits of paper and aero rims 🤣

[@tomnix8194]

@@superchickensoup if I would consume that kind of stuff it might be that I would also think I'm the best..... As a competition rider I would remind that weed is on the doping list 😉

[@Jacob99174]

@@superchickensoup Secondary education, high school education, home school - don’t matter. Get on two wheels, and get it!

[@tubbista]

I just wanted to say that you influenced both my decision which bike to buy and also my decision to get my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. So far both decisions have worked well. I am already looking forward to becoming 5.

[@theegg-viator4707]

🤘🏻

[@ekrano]

All the best with the degree. I did mine many years ago. Which bike did you get?

[@LarsRR]

I enjoy this content much more than the reaming stuff. The latter can be funny from time to time, but gets old quite quickly and feels a little forced. This flexing of your in depth knowledge is much more interesting for me.

[@andreasruther8750]

Agreed!

[@johnfarrell5627]

Excellent video really informative and no shit-show commercial advertising BS . It’s great to have factual engineering guidance on such critical & expensive bike parts 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@johngoldenbritt5112]

Love what he says about disc wheels.

[@Mapdec]

Good vid Hambini. I’m halfway through my own video like this, was worried you would cover it all, but there is still lots to add from a mechanics perspective. Durability, spoke tensions, spoke types, nipples, hub (lack of) quality! Agree with you that online reviews are copy and paste waste of space.

[@Hambini]

I had considered putting that in but you kind of have to draw a line somewhere and i guessed for most viewers, it was the buying experience they were interested in.

[@charlesgraham9954]

ima old man from America, iv watch a few of your videos, love your dry smartass humor. i don't even ride a bike. last time i bought a bike it was in the 80s and it cost me 460 bucks and 8 months of saving working at 7-11 u have a new sub now and it's not only that your funny, i believe you're really trying to help people. plus, u also break down design flaws, homemade frames that the geometry isn't right nor the fit and finish for the cost. your humor is the bonus. again, thank u for your time.

[@simondillon]

Excellent video, thank you. I really enjoy and appreciate your engineering 'deep-dive' videos. Educating us in the real things we should be looking at, not just blithely following the marketing bs. Please continue stuff like this, and keep calling out the industry bollocks! Cheers mate 👍

[@Tommy31416]

Absolutely brilliant video, thank you so much 👍 this educational format to kill the marketing bs of cycling companies is definitely a winner 👏👏👏

[@marvinschaefer3973]

Thanks for making this! Love how your buyers guide is what to look for, and not which specific thing to buy.

[@ncsteinb]

Why aren't there more engineers like you in the world. We need more like you!

[@kristiankeegan5780]

Extremely useful wheel buyers guide with no mainstream marketing BS. Very well explained for rim & disc. Bravo :)

[@CrabgrassFarmer]

Love this type of format. Highly informative. Thanks so much.

[@billmaidment5623]

This has to be the most subdued Hambini video ever made. Great information and presented nicely.

[@tenacreescape8826]

Enjoyed this format - straight up facts. No nonsense. Excellent.

[@ftekkie]

Excellent video/guide with good evidence-based argumentation. Thanks!

[@paologobbo]

One of the most clear and easy speaking video about this topic. a big thanks!

[@ChefbasilTV]

As an early career engineer viewer, great video. I loved that you considered airfoil shapes and separation as well as friction losses in the hubs, failure cases, and everything else.

[@sparkvideos77]

Great vid. I glanced over at my trusty old C50s as I watched. Shallow alpha critical angle, clean transition, bladed spokes, hidden nipples - all check. I’m now basking in the warm glow of a 5 year old's validation. 😊

[@OGillo2001]

I've got a pair and they're brilliant. Also a pair of C35 too.

[@johnconnell8075]

Thanks!. This is a VERY clear guide and greatly appreciated, coming from a qualified engineer and devoid of all the marketing BS. I'm saving this vid and will return to it again and again

[@tedomir8388]

I'd love to see more of those educational videos. This was super useful and interesting for me. I'm studying aviation engineering, nice to see stuff that we learned there applied in bicycle components.

[@johnflynn4923]

Nice one Hambini - good balance between everyday practical considerations and the engineering / aerodynamics side of things 👍

[@kaitenteam]

I casually watched your video. You're super. Nothing more to add. Thank you very much for your precious sharing.

[@gregbyrne7725]

21 minutes and 0 grams of BS. Great video, exceptionally useful and well put together. Thanks Mr H.

[@s1ngularityxd64]

on point as always. Btw I am having 4k km on my Hyper 50mm since February. awesome so far

[@keithgladman2410]

I've watched some and find them interesting and informative and contains good fitting practice. Language is as we would have used in ships engine rooms. I would say he is an expert in his subjects.

[@theonegamer1337]

Might be bying a neew wheelset soon, so these types of videos are very good and informative! Have the 62mm reynolds for my 2015 canyon Aeroad atm. Another great video Hambini, cheers!

[@cobaltpica]

You have just proven my suspicion that big brand names doesn’t always equate to better quality. Thanks and keep the videos coming!

[@acecurry]

Bit of a throwback to some of your earlier videos with less opinions and jokes (which are massively entertaining) but loads of really useful information explained well. As a sidenote, yourself @Hambini and @Peaktorque inspired me to start studying at age 31 to become a mechatronic engineer and your videos do bring some real life applications to the learning materials I'm studying, and also highlight the challenges of manufacturing / Lazy building techniques and sloppy standards in the bike industry. So thanks for that, and keep it up. Videos like yours will hopefully one day bring about change in the standards held in an industry with exponentially increasing prices.

[@kriszentek41]

Excellent video Hambini, very informative, and something i’ll refer back to when i buy my next set of wheels. More of this please. Great entertaining channel, great entertaining haircut 👍

[@BeirutTaxi]

This was a very civilised and politely spoken video for Hambini 😁

[@HowToGuroo]

awesome video, I love to see the information presented by you and not some paid reviewer nice work

[@jonnyboy8781]

Really knowledgeable info. Explained logically & empirically. Big yer self up young man.

[@brianwilson3881]

Love your expertise and lack of BS.

[@ashleysinani4207]

Ridiculously informative, thanks for putting this together

[@fiacobelli]

This is a great format, and very informative, as you explain general considerations for engineering and manufacturing. Great idea. Good thing the pen is working

[@Angle-of-Attack]

One of your best videos yet! Thank you.

[@adamsouthard1155]

I like my information like my wine - dry. I did actually appreciate this quite a lot. Informative without any excess.

[@gg4760-k5n]

Really informative video. I don't road cycle but I am an avid Mtbiker and many of the info you give is relevant aside from the aero info which is why I follow you and watch your videos. And for a good laugh at the bike industry too lol.

[@coolcycles]

Five has become seventeen now, pen is working like a charm. What a satisfying mature video this is!

[@davidmeier8860]

The geekier the better... love the video. Would like to see more videos along these lines. Thanks!

[@mikeadb]

I’m sure I’m going to have to watch this a few times. I’m a physics geek but this had extremely high technical information density even for me. It was very helpful and matter of fact too. The Hambini in my head completed your sign off catchphrase for you btw 😜

[@sdsdsd8193]

Superb video, for us no techies a list of specs that you'd recommend would be useful ie: this internal rim width, with this rim depth/profile, this bearing size, these manufacturers

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

Excellent technical information shared there Hambini. Keep this kind of presentation going please.

[@lukaskaciasvili9351]

Long time subscriber here and I need to say I love this style of video. Great job! Often, I found your traditional style of videos funny, but this style may have far better reach in wider audience. And more ppl understand that reviews on cycling websites and channels are just dishonest ads, the better. Good job!

[@WanderingSword]

good mention about the pumping loss of disc. I didnt know it was that significant

[@richardguggemos6336]

Hey Hambini! Love your hair, you’ll have to introduce me to your hairdresser. Let me challenge your presentation, if I might. You start by pointing to the futility of using air tunnels to evaluate wheel (and bike & rider) drag. Something with which I agree. But you then go on to make recommendations based on general aero concepts/rule of thumb and even make some watt estimates of savings (3 watts for hidden nipples, for example). Without some established mathematical basis, these general rules can’t really lead to good recommendations and you’ve offered no alternative basis to replace the wind tunnel estimates. As far as I know, the general body of aero knowledge has established that small low-speed profiles have different aero characteristics as compared to larger profiles at higher speeds. Most of the research related to this body of knowledge appears to come from work done with small windmills (think personal electricity generation) and model planes. But there is plenty of published work available in this realm. From spokes to frames, the profiles related to cycling are small and operate in a low-speed environment. So aerodynamics that apply to automobiles and jet planes don’t simply translate to cycling. And many of the profiles that marketing wankers push have the added complexity of dynamically changing as they are presented to airflow even when that airflow is stable. There is also the difficulty of keeping profiles properly pointed to the wind (in sailer speak) when the bicycle is traveling in a straight line and the wind direction is steady. Finally, there is the whole cumulative impact of small gains concept which argues from the assumption that there really are many small gains to be had, and that each can be built in independently of each other so they truly add up like 1 + 1 = 2. Instead let me suggest that each of these gains is sensitive to a variety of different factors (assuming that they can be realized at all). So each factor need to be adjusted by this and that sub-factor and probability of same. This leads to the assumed additive model being fragile in practice. Statistics is a relentless bitch. Given these considerations, general aerodynamic rules of thumb (apart from frontal area) can’t easily be applied to cycling. Let me offer a few examples related to wheels: 1) I believe that effective drag reduction with small low-speed airfoils require a profile with an aspect ratio of at least 10:1, not 4:1. 2) The top of the wheel (which is moving into the wind faster, due to rotation, than any other portion of the wheel) produces the majority of wheel drag. The profile the top presents to the wind is quite unlike any pictured cross-section profile used to describe a wheel/rim combo. All the discussion/analysis of bike wheel profiles ignore that only a brief band of the frontal area conforms to the conventional cross section diagram. Hence discussions of shape, aspect ratio, trips and stalling affect based on this limited area of the wheel are not a good proxy for what occurs over the rest of the wheel. 3) Wheels (especially the front) are rarely pointed into the wind. First, cyclists move around on he road and both the movement and the turning & leaning related to same alter the wind direction. Second the wind can and does at various times come from all points of the compass. While there are prevailing weather and geographic factors that can make prevailing winds less than random in direction, the addition of route choices should make sure that, overall, wind direction is random. Depending on wind strength, this can dramatically impact apparent wind direction and speed on bicycle components, and thereby further dynamically alter the profile presented to the air. 4) The leading edge of a profile is by far the most aerodynamically important. For our wheels, that means he tires, not the rim. Some years ago, Reynolds offered aero down-tubes to frame builders. An American builder, preparing to build a frame to attack some track TT records had contacts in the Sandia National Labs for wind tunnel testing and computed flow analysis (Sandia being a place with powerful compute capabilities). It turned out that the tube didn’t reduce drag unless it was turned around backwards. The front edge was round leading to flow separation which the rear tapered edge couldn’t recapture. Because the down tube slopes, it actually presented a modestly parabolic shape to the airflow. While parabolic leading edge are generally preferred for drag reduction, this tube, even at its angle, didn’t have enough parabolic taper to reduce drag. Our tires don’t present parabolicly either. And I suspect riders wouldn’t really like their handling characteristics if they did. Perhaps one day a tire manufacturer will build a parabolic tire and we can find out. But with the limited control we have over tire shape, it’s not clear to me that rim design is the answer to our aero-prayers. I could go on, but I not trying to dump on you or troll. But I am curious about whether you’ve done much study into small low-speed aero profiles? I’m no engineer, so you know many things that I don’t. And if they relate to my analysis above, I’d love to learn from you. Best regards,

[@kaeto]

This video made me think - I'd love to hear your thoughts on spoke tensioning. As an MTB rider my approach to spoke tensioning is generally "Well, it doesn't seem completely fucked, so I guess I'll leave it alone" and I'm pretty sure that's sub-optimal.

[@Kzuke]

Great information! I didn't realize Hunt wheels were so much lesser in quality manufacturing techniques, since they get such good reviews online... thanks!

[@johnykryll]

With SO much shite content it's so cool to know someone is clear and honest. well done and thanks Mr H

[@andrewwalsh4662]

Hambini broke it down. Well done.

[@happydays8171]

Thank you Hambini for sharing your wisdom. I might add, Zipp engineers, the engineers who take all new Zipp ideas to the wind tunnel and test, say "Anything more than 60 mm you're needlessly spinning more material than one needs to." Testing Roval wheels, they said their 65mm have less resistance than 80+.

[@aguagou]

Entonces por lo que le entendí a Usted, ¿más de 65mm es innecesario en ruta?. Gracias.

[@pdfg165]

Thank you for the excellent analysis. Regards.

[@torstencx1318]

I'm mostly interested in wheels that look cool because considering my abilities to pedal this is the only factor that really matters! Interesting vid nonetheless!

[@synsynsy]

Yeah. I'm for real. Just bought a set of campagnolo because they look good with the 3 spoke pattern. Tastes and objectives vary a lot.

[@Fetucinee]

@@synsynsy True, esthetics can be much of the draw to a buyer. What's ironic is that spoke lacing, like pedals, can only be savoured when you're off the bike and it isn't moving.

[@synsynsy]

@@Fetucinee for regular people looks are important. I mean... if you like your bike chances are you will ride it more. When someone asks me what 'first' bike to buy, i tell them to get one they really like. This way maybe they'll get hooked easier.

[@pellme]

Awesome video! Thanks Hambibi!

[@Baileyproject]

Excellent vid! This may have been asked elsewhere but it would be very interesting to hear your thoughts on MadFiber wheels (specifically the tubular ones). The wheel industry has moved on since they were manufactured but those wheels seemed to tick alot of boxes.

[@kivriel2660]

If you are riding in windy conditions hold on to your handlebars if you are on high profile wheels. Can be really dangerous if you don´t pay attention. I was starting riding with carbon high profile 60mm this spring and it took me with surprise.

[@viborabr]

I would love some examples of well build wheels with good value for money in each category. I mean, from budget to high-end recommendations. Said that I have learned a lot in this video. Very good indeed.

[@martinhotan8946]

rather very helpfull for a non tech guy like me - THANKS and keep them coming 🤟

[@Dubadai]

Great video! The only thing I have trouble with is actually applying all the information into picking a wheelset. I understand that it might be difficult to give recommendations, but if you could give a few options based on everything in this video, I think that would be super helpful. This could of course also apply to frame sets and whatever else.

[@Hambini]

linked in the description

[@Dubadai]

@@Hambini I am still in the boat of wanting to buy of local retailers that allow me to have the buyer protection laws or Sweden, are there are “big name brand” wheels that could fit the bill? Zipp, Roval, Enve, Scope, Duke to name a few.

[@Newtube_Channel]

If you go picking your own equipment then you have to delve into the never ending pursuit of product research. Deep pockets and time are some of the prerequisites.

[@Gleeleeglee]

All or most of this applies to the riders that are more in the upper category/level but for average joe you would not experience or reach the load/forces/speeds that often. But if you are in the upper category/level then this video is very crucial.

[@dthornew]

Nice vid without the usual overt/hidden sales pitch. Thanks for the engineering information.

[@colinmartin2921]

Great, informative video. Thank you.

[@osterlitz1]

Enjoyed this video as usual. I would like to see a video on alloy wheels as I am not in the market for a carbon wheel price range. Thanks and keep up the informative videos.

[@colecoleman1499]

I have requested him the same

[@richardhaselwood9478]

Thanks very much Hambini. Really interesting

[@eduardoschneider2010]

Finally a real non payed video with the information I needed. I was loosing hope on reviews already, tha internet is full of payed reviews

[@sail5820]

That's a lot of precious informations!

[@schoebelski6602]

many thanks Hambini. Very helpful,, indeed. 👍

[@hectorvillagran177]

You didn't ask viewers to subscribe and you forgot to thank the sponsor of this video OMGZ11!1!1!!! In all seriousness though. Thank you for making this video, it is technical and also concise enough for most of us to understand and follow. Plus, if you lower the volume just enough you can hear GV/AK sphincters tightening, sounds like BB creak actually.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Thanks Hambini. Telling us what is good, can sometimes be more useful than telling us what's bad........ Probably not as funny though. I'd like to see more like this. Oh, and KBYHD!

[@alexcollins5150]

Lovely lecture. Everyday is a school day.

[@rhubarbpie8709]

Great video format. Thanks

[@guycalabrese4040]

Very, very, good video as usual! Manufacturers sells dreams. How many of us has been drooling over manufacturers catalogues, trusting their info, before making a decision to buy a certain wheelset. They are in the business of selling dreams to idiots with lot's of money like us recreational riders.

[@paulsulse684]

Fantastic review...much appreciated 👍

[@simonirvine1628]

You can replace the bearing cups on all the Campagnolo hubs, in fact they have been using the same parts in there hubs for many years. They do use sealed units in a couple of the cheap range

[@RevoltingRudi]

the inner cups as well? on shimano 105 you can replace the outer cup but not the inner cup wich is fused to the hub. wtf.

[@simonirvine1628]

@@RevoltingRudi Yes the inner as well and that's on campag and fulcrum. That is why there good winter wheels in lot of ways

[@jonathangriffin6236]

Where can you get the inner cups? My Fulcrum Racing 3 front hub needs a new cup and seems difficult to find.

[@simonirvine1628]

@@jonathangriffin6236 UK, Chicken cycle kit or i-ride. You need to go to a shop that has the correct tooling. Phone i-ride and get them to do it for you.

[@neilmckenna236]

Great, really enjoyed it and very interesting 👍

[@stuart3901]

As always a great video from a 5 year old!

[@machohogan]

What a fantastic video

[@SherazChoudhary]

Love the depth of your knowledge and the simplicity of your explanation 😀 Also, have one of your Hambini Racing BBs and it is a work of art!!! Ps. I went with 38mm Rim Brake Hypers because I bike around 30kph and knew that I would mount a wider 28mm tire (further removing aero benefit). Comfort, stability and acceleration for the win on nasty Boston roads. Would have preferred Hypers with non-carbon spokes (Winspace carbon spokes are possibly too stiff and still have to be adjusted from the inside even though there are visible spoke nipples on the outside).

[@gilbertayala1069]

Great Video and very informative...!!

[@mugendrewable]

Brilliant video!!! Thank you!!!

[@williamcovey9703]

So glad to hear 'The pen is working!' Keep up the good work! (and good luck with your hairdresser!)

[@universe-juice]

yes yes yes!!!!!! this is what i want 👍 top 10 race, top 10 day to day would be good too. thanks mate!!!!

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Hambini totally rocks!

[@jigglypuff4227]

Wieder ein sehr interessantes Video :)

[@88sholic]

Very informative. Please make more video like this 😬

[@johnbiggs9561]

Excellent video. The only comment I would add is that with Shimano hubs, you will get water ingress and the bearing surfaces will rust, ruining the hub. I now use hubs with cartridge bearings after 4 Shimano hubs were all ruined from water ingress. And no, I do not jet wash my bike.

[@rayjones8853]

I have had this same experience with a Shimano R35 hub on my MTB

[@peelandy]

Clever, clever stuff. Love the engineering explanation. Not sure I’m any the wiser as to which actual wheel/tyre I would buy next though.

[@Hambini]

Farsports Ventoux, Winspace Hyper, Elitewheels Drive

[@alan-sk7ky]

Well all joking aside, more training time is a lot cheaper ;-)

[@mikhailstepanets1784]

Wow, Hambini did not swear on that one:). Thanks for the guide, really enjoyed. Just splashed out on the new Look 795 Blade Rs with cheap Chinese XLC 50mm wheels. Let’s see how they go.

[@tylerkronebusch5642]

Commenting to boost the numbers. I’m a fat f**k so it’s still cheaper for me to skip the Big Mac but I do appreciate helping me see through the marketing crap. Thank you.

[@bevillenz]

Excellent, informative video.

[@thomasvmanning]

My experience is that once a tubeless tire has been seated to the rim, a compressor is no longer required to reseat after a flat.

[@thomascoder9839]

same

[@mrbuddha5263]

Honestly depends on the rim tire combo, my gp5000's and my Bontrager Aeolus 37's never keep a solid bead, there is always a spot that comes off the bead, and I'm almost always forced to throw in a tube. Yet my 650b wheelset I could ride them flat for 20 miles and the bead would be fine.

[@aaronbuys]

Wow. Totally opposite experience with GP5000 TL. I have to pry them off to get the beads loose. Prime black 50 rims.

[@thomascoder9839]

@@mrbuddha5263 interesting. How wide of a tire are you running on the Aeolus rsl 37s? I have a pair of Aeolus pro 3s and I use a Schwalbe one TLE. That bead is on there extremely tight

[@olivierhiers4224]

2 thoughts, it seems that making a « sensible very good wheel» is not complicated from the technical aspect ( not talking about manufacturing and QC) - so the r&d cost should be pretty limited, so why wheels are still fairly expensive for what they are ( even HYPER). Second is what about developing your own wheel and component, the product line could be called NBS= no b…s, I think there is a place for very good product that just need to work and do the job, and there is a place for shiny object ( Porsche vs Ferrari type of thing) Well made video

[@simonr8323]

That was excellent 👍

[@freewheeling-drifter]

Great video! Thanks so much! Looking forward for more of this kind of background info 👍🏼🙏🏼 btw, I have a math background and I‘m a triathlete 😁 so maybe a special audience 🤔 currently looking for a new wheelset 😅

[@76egbert]

Hambini, you clearly know what you are talking about. I like to inform myself before I buy. Watching your video has not guided me towards buying a wheelset. On the contrary, all of the factors to consider don't make it easier, but if anything harder to buy a wheelset. At best it clearly steers me away from some wheels... Any suggestions how to condense all of the info in a buying decision? ;-)

[@spinnetti]

Great stuff.. Only thing missing is some recommendations at a couple price points - particularly some of the recent Chinese brands.

[@fennec13]

Great points ! Have you ever run across any wheels from "Superteam"? I have two sets of tubeless ready Superteam wheels that have treated me very well; a 45mm set I put 32c gravelking SS tires on for a lot of tarmac and light gravel - and 38mm (with a 24mm internal width) for 40c medium knobby tires for more heavy gravel rides. If you added the cost of both sets I have spent less than $1,200 US and they came with a 3 year warranty.

[@GrouEEf]

Amazing video. So educational. Wish you'd have made it earlier. :) More of these please!

[@aveedub7403]

It has slowly dawned on me over last year or so how much BS is peddled by the likes of GCN etc. I now look at the stuff they produce with a huge sceptical eye, profit over form & functional. Not surprising they can send their journo's on jollies to far flung places! Keep up the good work Hambini

[@panchoxbrr301]

Hey Frenchie, I'm Pancho and I approve (of) this video.