Techs-Mechs: Help! I Have Carbon Wheels!

by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 25, 2009 11:15 PM EST

Somewhat heedless of my big brother's advice, I took advantage of a nice deal on some FSA RD-800s. Not planning to break them out til the rain passes, but it should be fun. Coupla questions for the uninitiated me...

1. Any experience gluing on sewups? Is there any conventional wisdom about what adhesive product works best with carbon?

2. Do the carbon-rim-specific brake pads work on aluminum rims? Or do I literally have to swap out the pads every time I change wheels?

Any other surprises I should be aware of? Thanks!

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The first time is usually messier than you expect

I use Vittoria Mastik.
Carbon pads work OK on aluminum but conventional wisdom is that you need to swap pads because you don’t want to have little bits of aluminum scrubbing your fancy pants carbon wheels. I don’t change the holders, just the pads. Undo the tiny set screw and swap the pads, it only takes a couple of minutes and you’ll have the wheels off to swap ’em over to your other set.

by TC_ on Feb 25, 2009 11:30 PM EST reply actions

I've been swapping the whole kit and kaboodle for years!!!

I’m an idiot! Why didn’t I think of that…I know have an extra half hour a month to ride…thank you so much TC

errrr....am i supposed to sign this??

by Flatbagger on Feb 27, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

thread hi-jack of sorts

Given that campy-style pad holders eschew the set-screws, are they even necessary in shimano-style pad-holders?

by R Mc on Feb 27, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

Probably not

but it looks funny when there are holes without screws to fill them.

by TC_ on Feb 28, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions

Ok

The best, and I do mean, the best place I have ever found to answer your first question is –
Tubular Tire Adhesive Performance

Question 2 – Yes, you can use carbon brake pads on alloy rims, but they will die super fast.
So, this is more of a cost issue then enything else.

I’d suggest you get to know the cust. service dept. really well at FSA, ’cause if you are racing on carbon wheels, you will end up killing them eventually.
When you do, ask to get the ones now built in Italy as replacements.
I hear good things about those.

by Ryan_Liles on Feb 25, 2009 11:31 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the link

Excellent stuff, i am surprised I haven’t seen it before.

by TC_ on Feb 28, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

Two points

1. My recent experience (I’m doing a road test of some 808s for The Racing Post) is that carbon rims chew up brake pads amazingly fast, regardless of compound.

2. The CW is: don’t mix pads from carbon rims to aluminum rims because of the tendency of alu rims to embed alu shards in the pad. It’s possible to clean and sand the pads out—but that takes as long as simply switching out the pads . . .

3. Debating glue is roughly akin to debating religious denominations, but the process of gluing is at least as important as the glue itself. Patience is the key: (and a truing stand helps things along A LOT). 2 or 3 THIN layers of glue on the rim and tires work way better than one thick one, and installing the tire with the glue almost dry makes life much easier. You can use goof off or a similar solvent to clean off the brake track and any unsightly glue residue. (inflate the tires so they roll base tape up, layer glue, let dry.

4. (and this should be 1st: stretch the tires on the rims (or on a clincher rim) first.

by R Mc on Feb 26, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions

oh . . . and

congratulations—

by R Mc on Feb 26, 2009 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks

OK, I hear y’all about the alu shards, so no alu rims on the carbon pads short of an emergency.

Glue… I’ve done this before (occasionally well, other times not so much) on alu rims, sounds like the usual substances are about as good as ever.

Thanks all

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 26, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Carbon rims and Seattle rain.....

You should have listened to Pete……about a lot of things (shakes head)

"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."

Tom Boonen

by Drew Davis on Feb 26, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

gah

Wet carbon. That does make stopping interesting.

by Jen See on Feb 26, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

And you seriously think

these wheels will see the light of day between November and April?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 26, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

Adding

It’s a good thing I got the Viner (B bike) on the road, as opposed to using it for chronos. Pull off the light fixtures and it’s ready to race. At this point, my B bike has far fewer miles than my racer, so swapping around like this makes perfect sense.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 26, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions