In modern cycling aerodynamic efficiency and smoothness have become the most important factors to be sought, almost more than lightness. From this perspective, wheels have acquired enormous importance. It is no coincidence that Riders change wheel types depending on the route or weather conditionsThis allows for change the bike setup, we could say that the same frame offers different sensations based on the wheels mounted on it. We at bici.PRO took a look at the wheels used by the teams at the Giro d'Italia.
Wheels for everyone
One element that immediately caught our eye was that There are no special or custom-made wheels, but they are all models that can be found on the marketThis is due to several factors, first and foremost the quality of modern materials, advanced production processes, and increasingly advanced research and development. Furthermore, it must be remembered that By regulation, the frames and components used by professionals must be materials found on the market. So we will no longer see the wheel made just for the single rider as was the case until a few years ago.
Tall and wide rims
Let's start with wheels with higher profiles, among these stand out the Roval Rapide CLX 50 supplied with Bora Hansgrohe and the Deceuninck-Quick StepThese wheels boast a differentiated profile of 51 mm at the front and 60 mm at the rear Weighing 649 and 751 grams respectively, for a total weight of 1.400 grams. Both rims have a 21mm internal channel width. The hub is Roval with DT Swiss EXP bearings. The Rovals are available in clincher and disc brake versions only.
Differentiated profiles also for the To see ITS 5.6 supplied with NTT Pro Cycling. In this case, in addition to the different profile, there is even the width of the channel is different. The front wheel has a height of 54 millimeters with an outer channel width of 29 millimeters, while for the rear the profile is 63 millimeters with a width of 28 millimetersIt should be noted that the internal channel width is 19 millimeters for both wheels. The choice of different profiles and external widths is made to improve aerodynamics, especially in crosswinds. The tubular version weighs 1.372 grams.
High profile also for the Black Inc Sixty supplied to the Team Israel Start Up Nation. In this case the profile is 56mm for both wheels with an external rim width of 30mm, which becomes 21 internalThe rim shape was designed to work best aerodynamically with 25 and 28 mm wide tires. The weight is 1.575 grams.
50mm profile for the Campagnolo Bora One of Lotto Soudal. Italian wheels have a external rim width of 24,2 mm and are available in both tubular and clincher/tubeless versions. The former weigh 1.348 grams, while the latter come in at 1.507 grams. The one-piece aluminum hub is equipped with USB (Ultra Smooth Bearings). Noteworthy is the Campagnolo-typical G3 spoke pattern on the rear wheel.
Slightly lower profile for the Zipp 303 NSW supplied to the Team Movistar. These wheels boast a height of 45 millimeters with the innovative NSW (Net Speed Weaponry) profile featuring ABLC Sawtooth technology. This is essentially a golf ball-shaped casing. This improves resistance and stability in crosswinds by creating mini vortices on the rim's surface. The external width of the rim is 28,5 mm for a weight of 1.425 grams.
Il CCC Team it comes with wheels Cadex 42 Tubular with a rim shape designed to maximize aerodynamics and speed. The profile is 42mm with an external width of 23mmThe spokes are carbon with an aero profile and the hubs are always by Cadex for high smoothness. Weight 1.242 grams. In addition to the tubular version, there is also a clincher/tubeless version weighing 1.327 grams.
