Road Wheels

When buying road bike rear wheels it is key you make the right choice. However, what you buy depends on what you are riding and where you ride and this of course impacts on both cost and performance. For instance, the International Triathlon Federation will allow you to have lightweight road bike wheels with a fairing disc added to them to reduce aerodynamic drag. However, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) dictate that any disc must be integral to the wheel itself. If you choose to participate in both you'll therefore need to buy your bike parts according to UCI regulations.

The best way to conform to all the regulations, maximise aerodynamics, minimise weight and reduce the effect of cross winds is to buy carbon road bike wheels. This wheel type has high strength, low weight and less spokes; spokes increase aerodynamic drag, effectively making a rider work harder to go faster. Carbon wheels are made by a number of manufacturers such as Easton, American Classic and Zipp and will make a noticeable difference to ride times and ease of transport.

The other option to consider is whether or not to buy clincher wheels. These wheels can appear as tubed tyres, or tubeless wheels. Clincher rims have an inner tube meaning you can easily repair a puncture and potentially keep using the tyre for longer. Tubeless systems mean that the rider can run tyres at lower pressure, increasing grip and traction. This can be useful in inclement weather conditions, although a tubeless rider may want to carry a spare inner tube in case of a puncture rather than a spare tyre or wheel.