Carbon fiber rims drivers#
Carbon fiber rims upgrade#

The firm also makes the optional carbon wheels for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which Chevy claims cut 41 pounds of unsprung mass from that car. Australian company Carbon Revolution got the commission to produce these wheels for the Mustang Dark Horse after providing carbon hoops for the Shelby GT350 R, Shelby GT500, and Heritage Edition of the GT supercar. And that's where these wheels are meant to shine.

Carbon fiber rims drivers#

The inclusion of tow hooks is the telling aspect, since it implies drivers will paying for these rims are more likely to get beached somewhere like the gravel trap on the outside of a circuit corner. If someone ordered a Dark Horse with just these two options, the coupe would cost $74,855 after the $1,595 destination charge, the wheels alone being 19% of that sum.Įach wheel weighs about 20.1 pounds, the quartet shaving 37%, roughly 30 pounds, off the Dark Horse's unsprung mass compared to the stock aluminum wheels. It was a similar case with the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, that car charging $18,500 for the Carbon Fiber Track Pack that came with carbon wheels and Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires. The Handling Package installs magnetic dampers, adjustable strut top mounts, a rear spoiler with a Gurney flap, 305-section front and 315-section rear tires on 19-inch wheels instead of the 255- and 275-section tires, a new chassis tune to make all those bits work together, and front tow hooks. The woven five-spoke rims cost $8,995 and require the $4,995 Handling Package, for a final price of $13,990. After noting a couple of configurator hiccups, the forum dug in to get one of the Mustang details we've been waiting on: the price of the carbon wheels for the Mustang Dark Horse. The Mustang7G forum has been watching the configurator on Ford's retail site for Mustang updates. Overall, while the benefits of carbon road bike wheels can be significant, riders should weigh these potential disadvantages and choose a wheelset that fits their needs, riding style, and budget.Ford Mustang Dark Horse carbon wheels add $13,990 to the coupe's price As with the GT500 previously, part of that cost is the $4,995 Handling Package It is also worth noting that while carbon is a strong and durable material, it can be more prone to damage from crashes or impacts. Star ratchet hubs and aero optimized spokes are part of the package in the premium price sector. However, due to the higher price point there is also a quality increase in materials and components used. So, are there no disadvantages when choosing carbon wheels?įor sure the buying price is higher than for a higher set of alloy wheels. Customizability: Carbon fiber is a versatile material that can be shaped and molded into the optimal rim shape for the intended use.The result is a more efficient ride and better handling while riding. This makes the wheels more responsive to power input, increasing overall performance. The stiffness will ensure efficient power transfer from the pedals to the road. Stiffer and more responsive: Carbon fiber is known for its stiffness and responsiveness. The higher level of comfort will reduce riding fatigue and overall performance the bike. Carbon wheels offer a smoother and more comfortable ride, especially on rough roads. This can be especially beneficial in racing, however it will also improve the joy of riding for the weekend warrior.īetter vibration damping: Carbon fiber has natural vibration-damping properties, this will reduce the transmission of bumps from the road to the rider. Improved aerodynamics: Carbon wheels are often designed with aerodynamics in mind, with deep-section rims and optimized rim shapes that can reduce drag and increase speed. Maintaining speed while in a climb is also a nice benefit on top of the reduced weight. This reduced weight will improve acceleration, maintain speed, and overall bike handling. Because the rim makes up most of the weight a wheelset, carbon wheels are often significantly lighter than alloy wheels. Lower weight: Carbon fiber is an extremely lightweight material.

Carbon fiber rims upgrade#

But not when it comes to carbon road wheel-upgrades.The five main reasons to upgrade your road bike with a nice set of carbon hoops are: Most assume it is better to loose weight than save on bike weight.

Will they notice the better handling and lower weight? Many riders wonder if upgrading to carbon wheels in their road bike is worth the investment.