Lightweight Obermayer Evo: Have They Been Left Behind?

[@oioi909]

I bought a set in 2006. Generation 2. Still have them, on my 2005 Serotta Colorado 3. Back then, tubular only. Still a fantastic ride as the steel frame balances out the carbon wheels and tubulars have an amazingly smooth ride quality. Perfect wheels for older bikes. Now I am old use a Titanium disc frame Lynskey R300 mechanical shimano 11, and I built a 25 internal / 32mm external 60mm deep wheel from Light Bicycle and 28 or 30mm tyres, the width provides incredible smoothness and comfort and are great for holding speed. Bike is heavy though, but I am too old to care. I want the comfort.

[@thegoodwheel]

I am right there with you. Your wheels set up sou ds fantastic 👍🏾

[@niceracleous9999]

The lightweight wheels that Sky used were the tubular version, these tires are different and a way more compliant plus the full set weigh 968 g, over 300 g lighter, these feel completely different to the set that you are on.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you for sharing that. I wasn't intimating or suggesting that they used these model wheels, but they used Lightweight products... as such was the reputation of the company and their products.👍🏾

[@kyungi1]

I have been saying this for years about Lightweights. They have been left behind tech wise especially for the price tag. The latest models minus the Fernwegs are prone to side wall delamination running them tubeless. There are equal quality wheels for way less $ and can be easily repaired plus great warranty policies. They are more of a status symbol now on 14k+ bikes on the coffee rides lol.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@mortlow6688]

🤣

[@parmijo]

They seem very old school. narrow internal/external and a very sharp V shape as opposed to the wider toroidal shapes of ENVE/ZIPP/ROVAL, etc.

[@thegoodwheel]

👍🏾

[@BetterBikesBiz]

Wheels are the most fascinating component of performance bikes and a complicated subject. Ben Serotta once said, it's not about the weight, it's about the ride. Different wheels for different types of riding and riders, so no one wheelset is the universal answer. Lightweight Obermeyers are the stiffest to weight ratio available, hence could be a harsh ride for some, depends really on what your needs are. My pet peeve-values-for wheels I prefer is deflection-delay in response. The value of Obermeyers are acceleration and climbing response, incredible today, yes, way ahead of their time and still awesome compared to almost all other wheels, where the weak point is the conventional spoke attachment at the hub and at the rim. Why is that prevalent? Way less expensive to throw together. Lightweight's proprietary one continuous spoke from rim near the tire to the opposite side is unique and difficult to make. So, if you're a rec rider at high teens to low 20's, a more basic wheelset is fine. Most aerodynamic wheels really start to come alive at 25-35 and most are quite good for that. My value, get out of the saddle to step on the gas, climb even the hills at the horrible hundred or over a bridge/causeway in florida, lightweights are second to none in response. Left Behind? Almost everybody else haven't caught up and aren't even trying to catch them, too expensive, they compromise to make money selling okay wheels. Look at verifiable results from the pretty recent 2021 Olympic road race, the gold medalist and 4 of top ten were on Lightweights, not using their wheel sponsors. When these Pros were not contractually obligated from their euro tour contracts, they chose to go for gold on Lightweights AND they had to buy them, no freebies from Lightweight. As you can tell, I'm passionate about wheels, specs and marketing aside, I ride them to form my opinion, best wheels I've ever ridden, because I love acceleration response and pop over climb response. My advice, don't buy wheels on spec, ride them first. Reach out to Lightweight dealers for a demo ride and other wheels, understand what works for you. Thanks Luis, always awesome insight!

[@bingbing3464]

Meh, there are many more options with lighter (with deeper depth), stiffer, responsive and wider wheels nowadays ever since the mainstream brands started using carbon spokes. I was unimpressed with a pal's lightweights judging from the standard set by wheels today.. he started having second thoughts after he tried my enves, and the chinese hyper megas of another pal made him put his lightweights on the used parts marketplace 😂

[@81caasi]

The big difference I think is the internal/external width. The modern wider 21-23mm internal rim width make a huge difference in comfort, smoothness, control and cornering.

[@81caasi]

AThey look to be amazing wheels, nothing like them when it comes to climbing and acceleration. I'm using my own experience riding one of the first all carbon wheelsets, Mavic Cosmic Carbone from 10yrs ago. The big difference with modern wheels is the larger internal width which directly provide more comfort, smoothness, control. I think the narrow width combined with their stiffness are the reasons for the sharper ride and even the sawing sensation on cornering.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing your insights 👍🏾

[@savagepro9060]

Wheel-set looks sick. Sad they're disc brakes!

[@thegoodwheel]

😢

[@bengt_axle]

Luis, what is your typical riding speed when riding alone, no wind, on a flat?

[@thegoodwheel]

Depends. I am usually hovering around zone 2 when solo, so maybe 17 or 18... and even when it's not windy here, the air pressure makes it feel like you are riding through soup.

[@bengt_axle]

@@thegoodwheel Yes, that's about what I ride at (30km/hr). So everything aero, performance orientated, is not really a big priority for me. When I'm in a peloton, I'm quite comfortable around 34km/hr, but then you are only in the front for a short while, taking turns. I do have a set of heavy wheels (Khamshins) and I actually prefer them to my lightweight Shamals for flat bumpy roads, for exactly the reasons you mention in this video: less stiff, less road vibrations. But light and stiff is good for climbs and accelerating to catch the group.

[@ronstuff6330]

There's an old addage "Never meet your heroes" Growing up, these wheels were my heroes. 😂

[@thegoodwheel]

The more miles I put on them... the better they become.

[@ronstuff6330]

@@thegoodwheel Don't temp me!

[@valmorell]

Totally great that you didn't do one of those crass unboxing videos.

[@thegoodwheel]

But those are great with music 🎶

[@SabianDB02]

Dope video, got to go deeper about their bonding negative aspect which is not repairable if they crack, the warranty may not be fully covered but rather a %off the next set. The price tag these go for and are they really worth it when compared to others wheelset on the market (most expensive) . Cadex and Scott's recently copied their style. How are the hub engagement (paw or rachet)? I can't wait to see the follow-up video.

[@thegoodwheel]

Hey Bro. They run the DT Swiss Ratchet hub... so the transmission is as you'd expect for that. Acceleration is immediate. I am looking forward to more rides as well. 👍🏾

[@tommyfreckmann6857]

Luis, these whewls are dope, and always enjoy your reviews. Question, have you ever ridden a Colnago C40?

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you. I've ridden one, way back, but only briefly.

[@tommyfreckmann6857]

@thegoodwheel gotcha. I was just curious as you have compared some older bikes to modern bikes...

[@aldrinclementina4297]

Hey Luis. That's not old tech😂 That's knowledge. Like you said. They have been doing this for years. What's the price tag? Maybe that wasn't supposed to be said in a "first impression video" One other thing. I've noticed that, that C ride has a lot of ladies in it 🤩 😂 I do like ride in a mix group cuz it pushes on another Ride save, and thanks for sharing. Greetings from Curaçao 🇨🇼 👊

[@thegoodwheel]

You'd be surprised, the A, B group and all the fast rides have a lot of very strong ladies representing. They are very good on the bike.

[@universe-juice]

OH BABY!

[@gsmd770]

These wheels are outdated. Time has passed them by like the German car market. I use Cadex 65’s on my Systemsix and Zipp 404’s on my Pinarello.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 👍🏾

[@lordkambing810]

theyre Heavyweight now

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@MerlinMan1579]

I used to own a set, but they were so harsh that I sold them.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've heard that many times. I am playing around with tire pressure to see where I can get them.

[@tonyg3091]

Ooohhh, some uber expensive stuff right there 😁 Flexing on us, aren't you?🤣

[@thegoodwheel]

🤭 little bit

[@rodulfomartinus311]

I believe that these wheels are great but I can't afford them because they are very expensive.

[@thegoodwheel]

👍🏾

[@Robert-vl3ur]

Any person, who is a non pro, non sponsored rider that drops that much cash on a set of wheels is simply an easily marketed to goofball that is kidding themselves. Reality! LOL

[@savagepro9060]

The Pros: "Performance Drugs are lighter than the lightest wheels!"

[@thegoodwheel]

👌🏾

[@savagepro9060]

@@thegoodwheel World Championships . . . You leave 115 DNFs gasping in the dust. And you waltz across the finish line after a 100KM breakaway . . . solo? Elephant in the room.🐘

[@1030mcon]

Yet we watch and want those bikes 😊

[@kubackjeee]

old technology, absolute crap in terms of aero.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏾