Worthwhile upgrade to carbon rims with I9 hubs?

[macming]

I found out that light-bicycles.com is make new 26" rims that is 30mm externally wide and 23mm internally wide for relatively cheap. The rims are UST compatible as well, which is a huge bonus. The only issue is that these rims are targeted to be around 470 – 490 grams. I currently have DT Swiss 5.1Ds on my I9 wheelset, I will be able to re use my existing spokes due to the similiarity in ERD (537mm on the carbon rims, and 539mm on the DTs).
The weight savings will be very minimal, but I bet the new wheels will be a bit stiffer. I’m pondering whether the upgrade is worth it. What are your thoughts?

[meltingfeather]

Where did you hear that the light-bicycle rims are UST?
No offense, but how can anyone tell you whether or not a handful of grams and a "bit" of stiffness is worth $350 to you?

[macming]

Originally Posted by meltingfeather

Where did you hear that the light-bicycle rims are UST?
No offense, but how can anyone tell you whether or not a handful of grams and a "bit" of stiffness is worth $350 to you?

The company is making that claim:

The weight will be around 470g to 490g.
Yes, it is UST compatible, and the internal width is 23mm.

We use MES shipping, the delivery cost will be at USD70 to USD78 by EMS for 4pcs rims.

Thanks,
Nancy

I think I'll wait for them to reduce the weight a bit. The 29" version with the same width is ending up around 400 grams. If I can save 200 grams from my wheelset, I say it's worth the $$

[CDMC]

For $75 per rim, you can buy WTB Frequency I23 rims which are 23 mm inside, weigh 475 grams and are UST rims. Why spend $550 more?

[meltingfeather]

Originally Posted by CDMC

For $75 per rim, you can buy WTB Frequency I23 rims which are 23 mm inside, weigh 475 grams and are UST rims.

The carbon rims will be stiffer and stronger.

Originally Posted by CDMC

Why spend $550 more?

huh? the carbon rims are $350 total, shipped to your door... for TWO.

[anthonylokrn]

Originally Posted by macming

I think I'll wait for them to reduce the weight a bit. The 29" version with the same width is ending up around 400 grams. If I can save 200 grams from my wheelset, I say it's worth the $$

I was told 370-380g for the wider 26er per Nancy. The narrow 26er is 330-350g.

[macming]

Originally Posted by anthonylokrn

I was told 370-380g for the wider 26er per Nancy. The narrow 26er is 330-350g.

Here is my conversation with Nancy. I expected 370 - 390 as well myself.

Hello Yang,

The weight will be around 470g to 490g.
Yes, it is UST compatible, and the internal width is 23mm.

We use MES shipping, the delivery cost will be at USD70 to USD78 by EMS for 4pcs rims.

Thanks,
Nancy


Ming Yang
10:11 AM (5 hours ago)

to Nancy
Oh, the weight seems a bit high to me. The 29" version is currently around 400 grams. Are you sure they will be around 470 - 490 grams? 370 - 390 sounds more reasonable to me.

If the weight is really around 400 grams, put me down for 4 rims!


Nancy Yu sales@light-bicycle.com
10:13 AM (5 hours ago)

to me
Hello Yang,

The first rims will be heaiver, when the production line make more rims, the engineers will try to make the weight as light as possible.

[macming]

Originally Posted by CDMC

For $75 per rim, you can buy WTB Frequency I23 rims which are 23 mm inside, weigh 475 grams and are UST rims. Why spend $550 more?

The WTB and the Flow are at the top of my list for replacement rims. I don't know if it'd be worth the effort/cost to swap out my perfectly good rim for an alloy model.

[anthonylokrn]

Originally Posted by macming

Here is my conversation with Nancy. I expected 370 - 390 as well myself.

Hmm..this is exactly what Nancy told me.

"Hello sir,

The current 26er rim(24mm wide) is about 350g, so the wider one will be around 370g to 380g.

Thanks,
Nancy"

[CDMC]

Originally Posted by meltingfeather

The carbon rims will be stiffer and stronger.

huh? the carbon rims are $350 total, shipped to your door... for TWO.

Thought it was each. At 370 grams, that makes for a better value. 200 grams savings for $200 is right where the weight weenies aim, and loosing it in rotating weight makes it feel like more.

[ziscwg]

Originally Posted by meltingfeather

The carbon rims will be stiffer and stronger.

That really depends on the cabon make up. Carbon has way more versatility to be made whatever way the engineer wants. If they go cheapo on the resin and type, the carbon rim could be more flexy than a good Al at 1/4 the price.

Just because it says carbon, doesn't mean it will be like the DT Swiss or Enve carbon rims out there now

[meltingfeather]

Originally Posted by ziscwg

That really depends on the cabon make up. Carbon has way more versatility to be made whatever way the engineer wants. If they go cheapo on the resin and type, the carbon rim could be more flexy than a good Al at 1/4 the price.

Just because it says carbon, doesn't mean it will be like the DT Swiss or Enve carbon rims out there now

Nice theory, but they are stiffer, which makes them build stronger wheels due to improved load sharing/distribution between spokes.

[macming]

Good news! Nancy confirmed that 480 grams is a typo. The target weight is indeed 380 grams.

Originally Posted by nancy

Hello Ming,

The target weight is 380g, but the first rims will be heavier, and our prodcution line will try to make them light after doing some testing samples.

Thanks,
Nancy

[macming]

Originally Posted by CDMC

Thought it was each. At 370 grams, that makes for a better value. 200 grams savings for $200 is right where the weight weenies aim, and loosing it in rotating weight makes it feel like more.

Well in this case, I'd lose over 1/2 a lb in my rims, and gaining 3mm of internal width at the same time. The added stiffness is icing on the cake. For $130 per rim, plus $60 for shipping, that's pretty reasonable IMO.

Originally Posted by ziscwg

That really depends on the cabon make up. Carbon has way more versatility to be made whatever way the engineer wants. If they go cheapo on the resin and type, the carbon rim could be more flexy than a good Al at 1/4 the price.

Just because it says carbon, doesn't mean it will be like the DT Swiss or Enve carbon rims out there now

I agree there should be reservations, but people have reported good feedback on Chinese carbon rims from selected manufacturers including light-bikes. I figured it can't hurt to give it a shot.