Profile wheels are no longer limited only to professional cyclists’ bikes or to time trial and triathlon events. The drop in prices of carbon wheels in recent years, due to the diversification of models and ranges and the launch of different rim depths, means that these profile wheels are now becoming widespread among amateur cyclists. But... what benefits do these wheels offer? Are they just a trend or do they really improve performance? Is it worth buying a set of profile wheels? It's time to answer all your questions about the wheels of the present (and possibly the future) in road cycling.
What are profile wheels?
Profile wheels are those that have an increased rim height beyond the braking surface (the latter for bikes with conventional rim brakes). However, in recent years, the term profile wheels has become popularly associated with those that have a large rim profile or height, superior to 30 mm, and not with low-profile wheels, less than 30 mm, which are simply called conventional or classic wheels (although these also have a profile).
High-profile wheels (over 40 mm) improve aerodynamics when riding on flat terrain at speeds above 30 km/h
Types of profile wheels
We can classify current road cycling profile wheels into three types, according to their rim height.
Low profile
As we have already explained, these are the conventional road wheels with a profile size (measured from both edges of the rim, exterior and interior) between 20 and 30 mm. They are the most affordable and the most recommended for climbing and descending mountain passes.
Medium profile
Their profile ranges between 30 and 40 mm. They are versatile wheels with extra aerodynamics. Right now, they are experiencing great commercial growth among both amateur and professional cyclists.
High profile
This type of road bike wheel has a profile superior to 40 mm and is the step before the lenticular (solid, spokeless) wheel for time trial or triathlon. They are the quintessential aerodynamic wheels, traditionally used in time trials. But in recent years, with the rise of aero bikes, they have also become popular among enthusiasts. These wheels improve aerodynamics when riding on flat terrain at high speeds (from 30 km/h). In addition, it is possible to distinguish between them according to their material. While the highest quality and most beneficial profile wheels are made of carbon, there are also aluminum versions that are somewhat heavier and have a worse aerodynamic coefficient, but at the same time significantly lower the price.
Low-profile wheels are the most affordable and the most recommended for climbing and descending mountain passes
Benefits of profile wheels for road cycling
2019/10/Canyon-Aeroad.jpg"> We can list two major benefits of profile wheels for road bikes:
Better aerodynamics
Medium and high-profile wheels noticeably increase the aerodynamic performance of the entire bicycle. The wheels, especially the front one, are the most exposed parts of the bike to air resistance, with the rim profile being one of the key factors in that resistance or drag. Increasing the rim surface allows for the dissipation of wind resistance, whether it is headwind or tailwind, and increases the inertia of the wheel in motion. This results in aerodynamic gains of over 10% on flat terrain compared to a low-profile wheel, as revealed in this report by the British magazine Cyclist.
The same report also points out that the engineers at Cervélo, one of the most established road bike manufacturers, estimated a certain aerodynamic gain from profile wheels on climbs with gradients not exceeding 5% for amateur cyclists, and up to 8% for professionals.
Greater stiffness
This can be considered an advantage if you are riding on flat terrain and without many curves. Increasing the rim profile means adding more material, shortening the length of the spokes, and ultimately increasing the stiffness of the wheel. This results in better power transfer to the wheel generated by pedaling, without the greater energy losses of classic wheels due to their increased flex.
Disadvantages of profile wheels
2018/11/Berria-Belador-Aero-Hybrid-3.jpg"> Increasing the profile has a number of drawbacks that should also be considered:
Increased weight
A higher profile means more material usage and therefore an increase in wheel weight. Comparing conventional wheels (25 mm) with 40 mm profile wheels, the average increase is 100 grams more per wheel. This results in poorer performance at low speeds, especially uphill and during changes of pace. They will be harder to move.
Less manageable in crosswinds
This type of wind is one of the worst enemies of profile wheels. They become more unmanageable because the wind hits a larger rim surface, worsening the control and handling of the bike.
Poorer performance on rough asphalt
The increased stiffness of these wheels results in less vibration absorption, flexing of the parts, etc. On roads with rough, poorly maintained asphalt, they transmit these impacts to the cyclist more intensely than conventional wheels.
Price: are profile wheels more expensive than conventional ones?
In reality, the price increase is not in line with the increase in rim depth, but rather with the material used: aluminum or carbon. In brands like Mavic, for example, the Cosmic SL carbon series in 32, 40, and 65 mm depths all have the same price: €1,190 per set. The same happens with another leading brand like Fulcrum: sets with 55 and 40 mm rim depths, such as the Speed for disc brakes, cost the same, €2,109 per pair. Meanwhile, high-performance conventional wheels, also for disc brakes and made of carbon, like the Racing Zero, are a bit more affordable: €2,050. This is a negligible difference in those price ranges. However, if we compare carbon profile wheels with others of similar profile in aluminum, the price difference is indeed notable, just as with conventional wheels. In the case of Fulcrum, the Racing 4 DB model, with a 35 mm aluminum rim, costs €431 per set, while a carbon model, the Wind DB with a similar 40 mm profile, jumps up to €1,263 per pair.
Profiled wheels are a good option for cyclists who like to ride fast on flat terrain, adding an extra level of quality to their bicycle's setup
When to use profiled wheels
Having analyzed the types, advantages, disadvantages, and prices of profiled wheels, it's time to assess whether it's worth installing them on your road bike. Like many other aspects of bike setup, their purchase will depend on the intended use. Profiled wheels are a good option for cyclists who enjoy riding fast on flat terrain, adding extra quality to their bike's setup, which will improve training quality, increase power, and raise average speed. These wheels also require good bike handling skills at high speeds due to their greater inertia, instability in strong crosswinds, and reduced shock absorption on rough asphalt. Therefore, if you are new to road cycling, it is recommended that you accumulate kilometers and increase your skill level using conventional wheels, which are more manageable and comfortable. Finally, for anyone thinking about switching from aluminum wheels to carbon ones, going straight for profiled wheels will be a good choice if you are not overly concerned with weight and prefer to ride fast. On the other hand, if you want to make your bike as light as possible, opt for conventional wheels, which will also perform better when climbing and descending mountain passes.