When it comes to the phrase “you get what you pay for” it holds very true when it comes to bikes tires. We have probably all used cheap tires only to encounter flats or a ride that is not comfortable all. The Continental Grand Prix 4000 S is a great all around tire and used by many triathletes as their go to tires for training and race day. The new Black Chili Compound used in these tires allows for rolling resistance to be reduced by 26%, grip increased by 30% and mileage is increased by 5%.
I think the designers and engineers over at Mavic has become mad scientist with their latest creation the Mavic Cosmic CXR 80. The claim is that these wheels have the lowest drag of any wheel that is out there in the market. These guys not only took into account the shape of the rim but as well as the tires and how it sits on the wheel. How exactly did they do this? Well the gap between the tire and brake track are fitted with a plastic blade into a channel on the rim to make it more aero. Price is heard to be around $2,800 and available sometime in August.
Enve is known for making some of the stiffest and lightweight wheels in the market, and together with aero expert Simon Smart they bring to us their Smart Enve 6.7 wheelset. Designed for all-round use with speed, stability, strength and weight in mind, this set meets a lot of demands. They made the front wheel 60mm deep and 26mm wide, while the rear is 70mm deep and 24mm wide. These differences improve the flow of air and reduces drag. The shape of the rim is optimized to ensure even and predictable airflow attachment, so you have control in crosswinds. A textured braking surface allows for more positive engagement and better braking in wet situations.
Here’s something to help make you faster. Lightweight, a German wheel manufacturer that’s been creating top-end wheels for over a decade, recently introduced the Fernweg wheelset. Having already won a 2012 Red-Dot product design award, these carbon tubular wheels were built to be the stiffest, lightest and one of the most aerodynamic set of wheels in the world. The rim is 19.5mm wide, completely sealed to prevent water from entering and the set weighs a total of 1,355g, which is impressive considering the …
