One thing that will definitely perk up your ride is a new set of wheels. Well, being I am as curious as the proverbial cat when it comes to new things, when the opportunity arose to try out a set of SRAM S40, 38mm clinchers, I jumped at the opportunity, courtesy of the kind folks at Tweaked Sports of Glendora, California.
While I really like, and have used Mavic Cosmic Carbones (52mm depth), I was anxious to try out the carbon clinchers offered by SRAM. Unlike the Mavics, which use basically a carbon fairing on an aluminum rim, the SRAM’s use unidirectional, Zipp derived Toroidal cross-section carbon as a structural part of the rim itself (SRAM owns Zipp). The upside - Stiffness and strength. One downside - The tire, tube and rim strip must come off if the need to true the wheel arises (it did – More than once!).
And as for the ride, well, I have been very impressed. While I was also offered a set of S60’s (58mm
deep), I am happy to have chosen the S40’s.
These things are truly comfy too, with actual, real rolling
compliance. Carbon clinchers are a nice,
everyone’s version of the Holy Grail of cycling – Carbon Tubulars. While I have not ruled out trying tubulars in
the future, the convenience of clinchers is indeed hard to pass up. The advertised weight is 1740 per pair, with stainless,
bladed spokes, cartridge bearings, and stainless steel skewers (I now have the
Titanium skewers).
In June I did the Ojai, California Century, and even with
the weight of the wheels, they performed admirably on the hilly course. However, I broke a spoke off the rear wheel right at Mile 97, just after
bombing down Highway 150 (Dennison Grade) into the Ojai Valley. Now, the wheels had a reported habit of breaking
spokes in previous generations, and SRAM assured consumers the issue had been
rectified. It appears to not be so. An online search unearthed an excessive number
of reports on SRAM carbon wheels regarding broken spokes. I, unfortunately, found these reports to be
true.
The real bummer was dealing with SRAM – Sort of. The originating wheel shop seemed to have problems getting any action on replacement spokes, however, I am not too sure
that SRAM was completely culpable there. Tweaked
Sports told me two complete sets of spokes (front and rear) were on their way,
and that never panned out. So, I turned
to Michael at Pasadena Cyclery, and he had a replacement set on the way the
next day. Well, again, sort of. He was told that a complete set of spokes for
the rear would be coming, but that in actuality turned into three (3) spokes
in total. Instructions were to replace
the broken spoke and the two adjacent ones.
OK, so I had this done along with a front and rear truing. I had four rides on them and about 200 miles
(about 1000 miles total out of the box) since repair and truing, when I recently
discovered the rear was out of true again (loose spoke). Now, I understand that not all is perfect out
of the box, but c’mon, SRAM! Did you not
learn anything from the numerous issues listed on the good ‘ol World Wide
Web?
Well, it remains to be seen how these wheels will play out
in the long run. They do roll smooth and
true, that is, when they REMAIN
smooth and true. I will see how it goes
from here and report back if necessary.
The sucky part was being off of the wheels for two and half
months. No one should have to experience
that as a consumer.
The fact the wheels look so darn cool should dull the pain a
little.
Till next time.
I am looking to buy a pair on ebay. I asked what was the year but I have no response yet. Did you have anymore issues?
ReplyDeleteI received the wheels in 2012, however, I believe them to be a 2011 model.
ReplyDeleteAfter I had both the front and rear trued, replacing the broken spoke, plus the two adjacent ones, I have not had any further problems to date.
Just be mindful of your weight, as I believe there is a 200-pound limit on the S40's.
hola, que tengo que hacer para no romper mas radios en las s40?
ReplyDeleteHay alguna solucion para no romper mas radios con las ruedas sram s40?
ReplyDeleteI want to buy carbon clincher wheelset at the best price.! Thanks for sharing this great post.It help me a lot. It’s very enlightening. I absolutely love to read informative stuff.
ReplyDelete