SPORTIVE WHEEL SELECTION AND PACKING

Ready for the Stelvio? Looks fantastic, right?

You’ve read the tips, done your training, and everything’s fine –your muscles are sinewy and you’re ready to go. However, there are two key areas still to tick off: wheel selection and how to pack your pride-and-joy without it being disfigured in transit!
Or maybe the Étape du Tour is more your thing?

Wheel choice

Okay, let’s start with wheel choice. Broadly speaking, there are three categories of wheels to cater for different riding scenarios: climbing wheels, mid-section aerodynamic wheels and deep-section aerodynamic wheels.

As the name suggests, climbing wheels such as Vision’s Trimax 30, come into their own on courses that are punctuated with ascents. You’ll find that these wheels are characterised by three key features – a shallow rim, low spoke count and low weight – with the first two resulting in the latter.

Wheels like the Trimax 30 have a rim depth of 30mm so still offer a degree of aerodynamic advantage, but hit the scales at less than 1,580g for the pair and just 16 spokes upfront and 21 spokes out back. Why is weight so important? Primarily because rotating weight is felt most when climbing. It’s one reason why lightweight Vision riders like Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Drapac) are so adept at ascents. (For the record, Formolo weighs just 62kg!)
Let Giro stage winning Vision rider Davide Formolo be your inspiration!

We then have mid-section aerodynamic wheels. These are wheels that have a rim depth over 30mm – something like Vision’s Metron 40 SL – and provide a good balance between slipstream speed and good handling. Their carbon composition also makes them lightweight, so they’re good for swift accelerations and can cope with a rolling course.

Finally, we have the deep-section aerodynamic wheels, which are generally wheels featuring rim depth of 50mm or above. Take Vision’s Metron 55 SL Clincher – whose deep rim and aero spokes make it perfect for flat courses or ones with nominal ascents. You also get even deeper rims, like the Metron 81s – though their 81mm rim is designed more for time-trials as their maximum speed comes at the nominal cost of handling (especially on courses prone to crosswinds). Fortunately we have some tips for that!

Packing your wheels

Key to wheel selection is reccing your sportive parcours online or, ideally, in person. Pay close attention to the profile and choose a pair based on the above criteria. If you can choose more than one pair, perfect, but clearly that might not be possible because you’re racing aboard. If you can only take one pair, the mid-sections are usually the way to go because of their versatility.

Now you’ve chosen, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to protecting your wheels…
1. Remove skewers or thru-axles and remove the wheels from your bike.
2. If you’re one of the peloton who use disc brakes, ideally remove the rotor, too, to prevent it bending.
3. You remember the plastic end caps that were clamped to your bike when you bought it? You did hold onto them, didn’t you? These can protect your wheel in transit, while you should cover the cassette with dense padding or felt secured in place. (If you didn’t keep them, speak to your local friendly bike shop.
4. Finally, slide them into a good, padded wheelbag. Vision’s Wheel Bag is a great choice, durable and offering strong protection at just 857g.
Vision’s durable nylon Wheel Bag is tough and light, with reinforced axle covers

Right, you’ve chosen your wheels, transported them to your goal race… now all that’s left is to smash your PB. Happy pedalling.
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