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This article compares carbon vs. aluminum wheels. I mainly compare road bike wheels, but most principles apply to MTB and gravel wheels as well. I summarized my experience, discussions with mechanics and pro cyclists, and the pros and cons of both wheel types.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Carbon wheels are more aero, stiffer, lighter, and look cooler, but they are also more expensive and less durable than aluminum wheels. They are suitable not only for serious cyclists who care about their performance and have extra money to spend, but also for casual cyclists who want a bit more “free” speed. Thanks to increased competition, you can buy solid carbon wheels for under $1000. If you are an occasional cyclist on a tight budget, aluminum wheels are probably a better choice.
Continue reading to learn valuable information to help you decide whether to upgrade your current wheelset.
What Are Carbon Wheels?
Carbon wheels use carbon rims instead of aluminum wheels. Their depth can vary from shallow (around 25mm) to deep-section (88 mm). Riders also use carbon discs in time trials.
The deeper the rims, the better the aerodynamics. One of the benefits of carbon wheels is their lower weight than aluminum wheels.
You might be interested in the best carbon road bike wheels from various price ranges.
What Are Aluminum Wheels?
Aluminum wheels use aluminum rims instead of carbon. They are mostly shallow because deep-section aluminum wheels would be too heavy.
Aluminum wheels are more affordable and durable than carbon wheels, and they are often used as stock wheels on cheaper bicycles. However, some riders also use them as training wheels or for bad weather to spare their carbon ones.
You might be interested in these budget road bike wheels.
Pros and Cons of Carbon vs. Aluminum Wheels
The following table summarizes the most important advantages and disadvantages of carbon vs. aluminum wheels. I explain them more in-depth below.
| Wheels (Rims) Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (or Alloy) | โข More affordableยน โข Better braking performance in wet conditions or long descents (rim brakes) โข More durable | โข Heavier than carbon wheels โข Not as stiff (assuming the same rim weight) โข Less aero |
| Carbon | โข Lighter โข Stiffer โข More aero (widely available in various rim depths) โข Look cool | โข Less affordableยฒ โข Worse braking performance in wet conditions or long descents (rim brakes) โข The braking track of the rim brake carbon wheels wears off over time. โข Less durable |
ยนThe price of aluminum wheels ranges from dozens of dollars to $1500.
ยฒThe price of carbon wheels starts from around $300 and can easily exceed $2000.
Please, keep in mind that these price ranges may vary. I included them to give beginners a better idea of what they can expect.
Source: cyclistshub.com
Price
The price is the first and most obvious talking point when choosing new wheels. Should you buy cheap carbon wheels or expensive aluminum ones?
Well, there is no clear answer. It depends on your preference and riding style.
Aluminum wheels start at a few hundred dollars and can exceed $1000, while carbon wheels start at around $300 and can easily exceed $2000 (some pairs even exceeding $5000).
However, you don’t have to spend $2000 on a high-quality carbon wheelset. For example, most Chinese carbon wheels offer a better price/value ratio than wheels from mainstream brands, costing around $1000.
Aerodynamics
Many people wrongly assume that carbon wheels’ main and only advantage is their weight. Well, it’s one of their benefits (more about it below), but carbon wheels excel mainly in aerodynamics. The deeper rim profile will save you precious energy, especially if you often ride on flats, rolling terrain, or descents.
There are also deep-section aluminum wheels, which are much heavier than carbon wheels.
Weight
Carbon wheels are, on average, lighter than aluminum wheels. I summarized data from more than 350 road bike wheelsets and got the following results:
| Material / Brakes | Disc | Rim | Total Avereage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 1685g | 1614g | 1654g |
| Carbon | 1531g | 1493g | 1514g |
Keep in mind that included aluminum wheels were shallow (under 35mm), while carbon also included deep-section rims (from 20mm to 88mm).
If you are looking for deep-section carbon wheels, lower weight doesn’t always make for a better choice. It again depends on the terrain you ride in. Heavier wheels have better momentum, so they can maintain speed better than lightweight wheels, but they are not as suitable for climbing.
Did you know that 50mm-deep wheels can weigh as little as 1000g?
Braking Performance
Braking performance is another topic often discussed. For example, carbon rim-brake wheels are known for poor braking performance in wet conditions.
Additionally, if the carbon rims are poorly made, braking can heat the tube, which can expand and explode during long descents and in a hot environment. However, these were edge cases, and this topic seems less relevant with disc brake wheels’ growing popularity.
Stiffness
Comparing the stiffness of two wheelsets requires extensive experience and specialized equipment. The general rule is that carbon wheels are stiffer and can transfer energy more efficiently than aluminum wheels.
I’ve tested multiple carbon wheelsets, and their differences are sometimes hard to notice. However, the differences between aluminum and carbon wheels are noticeable.
Appearance
The last thing I want to mention is the appearance. A bicycle with deep-section carbon wheels looks much cooler than one with shallow aluminum wheels. See for yourself:
Conclusion
Both aluminum and carbon wheels will find their fans. I used aluminum wheels for years before I switched to carbon wheels. I see their biggest benefit in better aerodynamics, which allows me to ride faster, lower weight, and higher stiffness. All these benefits help me save valuable energy (i.e., watts). Lastly, they simply look much cooler than shallow aluminum wheels.
Their main disadvantage is the higher price compared to aluminum wheels. Luckily, there are many quality but affordable carbon wheels on the market, so you don’t have to spend a fortune. But as always, it depends on your budget and preferences.
Carbon vs. Aluminum Wheels FAQ
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