The 30 best carbon wheel brands
Shimano, Novatec and Campagnolo lead our ranking of 30 carbon wheel brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Carbon Wheel brands, ranked
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1
Shimano
Cycles are fun to ride and also good for health. But not every cycle feels good while riding and often has complaints. Shimano Steps presents you with a series of e-bikes that can accommodate any terrain, whether city or hill. They are equipped with a powerful motor and designed in a way that suits your needs and requirements. Shimano e-bikes are capable of withstanding tough conditions and are durable to all wear and tear.
Website: shimano-steps.com |Brands like Shimano
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Novatec
Novatec is a manufacturing company that produces hubs, road and off-road wheels for bicycles. It designs strong, durable, and flexible products. The site offers easy and accessible services. Along with a wide range of different wheels, it gives a two-year-long warranty and easy return services. The company has offices in North America, Asia, and Europe, with worldwide distributors.
Website: novatecusa.net |Brands like Novatec
Popularity 8.2/10
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3
Campagnolo
Campagnolo generates significant components for racing, touring, and dirt bikes. Tullio established it in 1933 and has always been a group company. Their corporate headquarters are in Vicenza, a picturesque city in the Veneto region, where they also have their R&D labs and manufacturing facilities. Its products are utilized by elite racers worldwide, and its components can also be found on many more incredible sports, touring, and commuting bikes.
Website: campagnolo.com |Brands like Campagnolo
Popularity 7.9/10
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4
DT Swiss
Professional cyclists and ambitious amateurs benefit from DT Swiss's great quality goods. Wheels, hubs, spokes, rims, tires, and components that satisfy the best quality, functionality, and dependability standards are developed and manufactured by them. Many top professionals compete in the world's most prestigious races, and ambitious amateur riders want to use top-quality equipment to achieve their sports goals. Their love for performance has led them to develop the tools that elite cyclists need to go faster than ever before.
Website: dtswiss.com |Brands like DT Swiss
Popularity 5.5/10
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5
Spinergy
Spinergy makes tough and durable wheels for bicycles and wheelchairs to provide users with adequate support and grip while riding. Athletes with mobility disabilities and amputations use their wheels to compete in Paralympic sports. Spinergy's products are synonymous with speed and high performance at an affordable price but require low maintenance. Its mission is to provide customers with high-quality wheels to ensure a smooth and safe ride.
Website: spinergy.com |Brands like Spinergy
Popularity 5.4/10
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6
SRAM
Sram is a bicycle parts manufacturing company selling products like brakes and shifters of high quality at reasonable prices. The company is passionate about cycling, and its products can be found globally in select biking equipment retail stores. Their products are very innovative and are made after proper research. The brand's equipment improves the performance and the overall experience of cycling. They also allow easy cycling in hilly and mountainous areas
Website: sram.com |Brands like SRAM
Popularity 4.8/10
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7
Zipp
Zipp is an automobile racing corporation specializing in producing parts for maintenance, upgrade, assembly, and aerodynamics. They have some fantastic designs, primarily for auto-racing parts made of carbon fiber. The most popular product is the 353 NSW Pneumatic tires Disc-brake wheelset, which provides consumers with flexible durability, high-speed ready run, quick tire installation, and reduced rolling resistance. The service stem also improves racers' strength, rigidity, and dependability and is a perfect fit that offers the bike a distinct appearance.
Website: zipp.com |Brands like Zipp
Popularity 4.6/10
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8
Sapim
Sapim is the world's top maker of bicycle spokes and nipples and tricycles, unicycles, children's bikes, and strollers. The firm is well renowned for its spokes, manufactured by hand in the Netherlands by pounding cold-drawn steel wire into form. They have been producing outstanding quality spokes and nipples for over a century with a long history of invention. They are used by both elite athletes and demanding terrain riders. They strive for the ultimate strength, lightness, and dependability at a reasonable price.
Website: sapim.be |Brands like Sapim
Popularity 3.4/10
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9
Mavic
Mavic is a forerunner in developing advanced wheels and components for road, track, mountain, and e-bike use. Mavic puts to market goods designed for cyclists enthusiastic about performance, and it provides customers ideal solutions with 100 percent attention to quality....
Website: mavic.com |Brands like Mavic
Popularity 2.9/10
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10
ENVE
ENVE is driven by a love for cycling. According to ENVE, they create the best carbon fiber products worldwide. They incorporate the latest technology and feedback from world-class athletes to develop their bikes which are ultimate in lightness, stiffness, and...
Website: enve.com |Brands like ENVE
Popularity 2.7/10
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11
Deda Elementi
Deda Elementi is the largest manufacturer of motorcycle wheelsets and components globally. Deda Elementi specializes in producing items using cutting-edge technologies and industrial equipment. Bicycle tires, cockpits, handlebars, tapes, and seat posts are all available. Deda Elementi distinguishes itself via...
Website: dedaelementi.com |Brands like Deda Elementi
Popularity 2.5/10
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12
Whisky Parts Company
Whisky Parts Company, situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a leading maker of carbon bicycle parts and accessories. They distinguish themselves from the market by specializing in more marvelous things with distinctive qualities. They work hard to provide the most outstanding...
Website: whiskyparts.co |Brands like Whisky Parts Company
Popularity 2.1/10
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13
Vision
Visions is a leading electronics company in Canada and have various brands of tech items like TVs and cell phones. They have every type of electronic that one can probably think of and carries several small gadgets and accessories. The...
Website: visions.ca |Brands like Vision
Popularity 2.0/10
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14
Fulcrum
Wheels, or tires if you say so, are an important component of any vehicle. Fulcrum Wheels is a famous brand of bike wheels from Italy. No matter what kind of bikes you use, you can avail the best quality wheels...
Website: fulcrumwheels.com |Brands like Fulcrum
Popularity 1.8/10
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15
CORIMA
The wheel is the only part of the bike in contact with the ground, and it must be of good quality to ensure a smooth ride. CORIMA took the cycling industry by storm with carbon cycling wheels that defied expectations....
Website: corima.com |Brands like CORIMA
Popularity 1.8/10
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16
HED
It’s been forty years since the brand name HED Cycling has served the best quality cycling products to its customers. It is among the most famous American companies conquering the trust of many people of America. Its cycles have the...
Website: hedcycling.com |Brands like HED
Popularity 1.8/10
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17
Vittoria
Vittoria is a world-renowned manufacturer of bicycle tires and tubes. They are a family-owned company with over 100 years of experience in bicycle tire production, founded by Enrico Vittoria in 1885 in Italy. Vittoria has a huge assortment of rising...
Website: vittoria.com |Brands like Vittoria
Popularity 1.7/10
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18
Miche
MICHE is a renowned Italian manufacturer of bicycle and motorcycle tires. They mix enthusiasm with innovation and tradition to provide safe, dependable, and excellent quality. Its products are chosen by professionals who know what they need to push their limits...
Website: miche.it |Brands like Miche
Popularity 1.5/10
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19
Reynolds
Reynolds is a British manufacturing firm and the world's oldest cycling tube maker. The firm offers chrome-plated steel tubing for bicycle frames. It's about getting out of your routine and experiencing the world around you. Its tubes are used in...
Website: reynoldstechnology.biz |Brands like Reynolds
Popularity 1.5/10
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20
Easton
Easton is a leading online retailer of more fabulous handbags and shoes. They provide a large selection of women's shoes and purses, including leather bags, evening bags, satchels, baby bags, wallets, and more. They have a wide range of designs...
Website: eastonshoes.com |Brands like Easton
Popularity 1.3/10
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21
FSA
The FSA brand has been associated with pioneer bike components for more than 60 years. Chainsets, cranksets, brakes, headsets, bottom brackets, and other bicycle parts are produced and designed by FSA. These are sold by a vast network of accredited...
Website: fsaproshop.com |Brands like FSA
Popularity 1.3/10
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22
Race Face
Race Face's mountain cyclists, engineers, and designers work together to build the world's most innovative mountain bike components. As a Canadian company, they are committed to producing overdrive that performs even when pushed to their limits. Their products are designed...
Website: raceface.com |Brands like Race Face
Popularity 1.3/10
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23
XeNTiS
XeNTiS has set a new standard for wheel construction with the new idea of using carbon wheels modernly. They have found a way to understand the knowledge of the technical know-how. The manual production process is detailed and made to...
Website: xentis.com |Brands like XeNTiS
Popularity 1.3/10
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24
Enduro
Enduro was established in 1996 with the ambition to provide the best set of bearings to ensure a convenient bicycle ride. Its legacy during the last 25 years has made it a leading bearing provider in the bicycle industry. Every...
Website: endurobearings.com |Brands like Enduro
Popularity 1.1/10
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25
Smith
A comfortable and practical study space is a must for students to learn and grow, and Smith Systems does just that! It is a furniture manufacturing company that makes tables and chairs of great designs for schools and other educational...
Website: smithsystem.com |Brands like Smith
Popularity 1.1/10
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26
Cannondale
Cannondale began its story in 1971. This was when the world was interested in rapidly changing with innovations and a spirit of creativity. Cycling did not have much advancement, so they changed the way you look at cycling now. Cannondale...
Website: cannondale.com |Brands like Cannondale
Popularity 1.0/10
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27
American Classic
kiPre-owned Harley Davidson motorcycles, Sportster, custom-built planes and helicopters and robbers, v-rods, softails, highway kings and dressers, tricycles, antiques, and relics are all available at American Classic Motors. Honda ATVs, Ski-Doo and Polaris snowmobiles, a range of dirt motorbikes, Yamaha...
Website: americanclassicmotors.com |Brands like American Classic
Popularity 1.0/10
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28
ACROS
Acros manufactures a wide range of bicycle components that improve the rider's biking time. The company provides tools for various road conditions from rocky mountains, the busy road of cities, and others with high-quality gear to suit every expected and...
Website: acros-components.com |Brands like ACROS
Popularity 1.0/10
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29
Ffwd
One of the foremost inventions in human history is the invention of wheels. The benefits of this invention can not be counted on the fingers as it moves beyond numbers. FFWD Wheels is a well-renowned brand that provides the highest...
Website: ffwdwheels.com |Brands like Ffwd
Popularity 1.0/10
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30
Origin8
ORIGIN 8 is a manufacturer of the best quality, low-cost cycling components. They continue to create parts for the main groups of road, mountain, and gravel bikes and accessories that enhance the usefulness of your bike, whether you're riding one...
Website: origin8.bike |Brands like Origin8
Popularity 0.9/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano | shimano-steps.com | /ShimanoEbike | shimanoebike | – | – |
| Novatec | novatecusa.net | /Novatec | novatecwheels | – | – |
| Campagnolo | campagnolo.com | /CampagnoloOfficial | campagnolosrl | @campagnolosrl | CampagnoloSrl |
| DT Swiss | dtswiss.com | /DTSwissAG | 8barbikes | – | dtswiss |
| Spinergy | spinergy.com | /ridespinergy | ridespinergy | @spinergywheels | – |
| SRAM | sram.com | – | – | – | – |
| Zipp | zipp.com | /zippspeed | annavdbreggen | @ZippSpeed | ZippSpeed |
| Sapim | sapim.be | /sapimnv | – | – | – |
| Mavic | mavic.com | /mavic | maviccycling | @mavic | adminMavic |
| ENVE | enve.com | /envecompositescycling | envecomposites | @envecomposites | envecompositesvideo |
Carbon Wheels Buying Guide
Carbon fiber wheels are an excellent way to upgrade the performance of your bike. They are lighter, stiffer, and more aerodynamic than traditional aluminum wheels, which can lead to improved handling, faster acceleration, and better overall efficiency. However, choosing the right set of carbon wheels can be daunting, as there are many factors to consider. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know when shopping for carbon wheels.
Types of Carbon Wheels
Before diving into the specific features and considerations of carbon wheels, it's important to understand the different types available. There are three main types of carbon wheels: clincher, tubular, and tubeless.
Clincher Wheels
Clincher wheels are the most common type of carbon wheel. They are designed to work with clincher tires, which are the most popular type of tire for road bikes. Clincher tires have a bead that hooks onto the rim, and the tire is held in place by air pressure.
Clincher wheels are versatile and easy to use. You can change the tire quickly if you get a flat, and they are generally less expensive than other types of carbon wheels.
Tubular Wheels
Tubular wheels are designed to work with tubular tires, which are also known as "sew-up" tires. Tubular tires are glued directly to the rim and offer a very supple ride quality. They are generally lighter than clincher tires, and they are often used by professional racers.
Tubular wheels are more difficult to use than clincher wheels. Changing a tubular tire requires removing the entire tire from the rim, which can be time-consuming and messy. Additionally, tubular tires are more expensive than clincher tires.
Tubeless Wheels
Tubeless wheels are a newer type of carbon wheel that are designed to work with tubeless tires. Tubeless tires are similar to clincher tires, but they do not require an inner tube. Instead, the tire forms a seal with the rim and is held in place by air pressure.
Tubeless wheels offer the lowest rolling resistance and are less likely to puncture. They also offer a smoother ride quality. However, they are more difficult to install, and they are generally more expensive than clincher wheels.
Carbon Wheel Construction
The construction of a carbon wheel plays a significant role in determining its performance, durability, and overall quality. Carbon wheels are made by weaving and bonding carbon fibers together, which creates a strong and lightweight structure.
When shopping for carbon wheels, it's essential to consider the following factors related to construction:
Carbon Fiber Quality and Layup
There are many types of carbon fiber, with varying quality and strength. It is essential to choose a wheel that uses high-quality carbon fiber, as this will ensure that it will stand up to the rigors of riding and last for many years. Additionally, the way that the carbon fiber is layered or "laid up" can affect the wheel's lateral and vertical stiffness, weight, and ride quality. Some wheels may use more layers of carbon fiber in critical areas to increase stiffness, while others may use fewer layers to decrease weight.
Rim Shape and Depth
The shape and depth of the rim can significantly impact the wheel's aerodynamics, stability, and handling. A deeper rim will be more aerodynamic, but may also be more susceptible to crosswinds. A shallower rim will be more stable in crosswinds but may not offer the same level of aerodynamic performance. Additionally, a wider rim will provide a more comfortable ride and better handling than a narrow rim.
Spoke Count and Pattern
The number and pattern of spokes on a carbon wheel can affect its stiffness, durability, and weight. A wheel with more spokes will generally be stiffer, but it will also be heavier. A wheel with a lower spoke count will be lighter, but it may not be as durable or stiff. Additionally, the way that the spokes are laced together can affect the wheel's lateral and vertical stiffness.
Other Considerations
In addition to the type and construction of the wheel, there are several other factors to consider when shopping for carbon wheels.
Weight
One of the most significant advantages of carbon wheels is their lightweight. A lighter wheel will allow for faster acceleration, better climbing performance, and improved handling. However, it's important to balance weight with other considerations, such as durability and stiffness.
Braking Performance
Carbon wheels generally offer excellent braking performance. However, it's essential to note that carbon rims can be prone to overheating and delamination if the brakes are applied too hard or too frequently. Some carbon wheels may also require special brake pads to ensure optimal performance.
Price
Carbon wheels can vary significantly in price, with some wheels costing several thousand dollars. While it's tempting to go for the most expensive option, it's important to consider your budget and choose a wheel that offers the best balance of performance, durability, and price.
Compatibility
Finally, it's important to ensure that the carbon wheels you choose are compatible with your bike's frame and components. The size and spacing of the wheel, as well as the type of axle used, must match your bike's specifications.
Conclusion
Carbon wheels are an excellent way to upgrade the performance of your bike. When shopping for carbon wheels, it's essential to consider the type of wheel, the construction, and other factors such as weight, braking performance, and price. By taking the time to consider these factors and choose a quality wheel that is compatible with your bike, you'll be able to enjoy improved handling, faster acceleration, and better overall efficiency.
