Karbona wheels

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Karbona wheels

Postby Andrew G » Sat Jan 12, 2008 2:11 pm

Anyone know anything about them?

[url=http://www.ekmpowershop6.com/ekmps/shops/pcycles/karbona-duetto-i-50mm-deep-section-carbon-wheels-43-p.asp]These[/url] look a very good deal on the face of it, for those of us who can't afford Boras. Full carbon rim and tubs :D . Still wouldn't spend that much on wheels without a recommendation though.
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Postby Andrew G » Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:13 pm

Cheers Sean. I've actually had a bit of a dig and see that they make quite a few bits (well they make tons of stuff actually) that are re-branded by others (or do they re-brand Gigantex Composite Technologies stuff???). Their stuff "looks" good but I would be interested if anybody has any experience of using it though (under their name or a re-brand), as with wheels, particularly deep rims, looks are no good if they aren't stiff and responsive.

Unless something was on offer at a stupid price I wouldn't want clinchers or an aluminium rim on deep carbon rims. It may be misguided but gluing an alu rim on seems to me to design in extra weight exactly where you don't want it, combined with a potential weak point at the join (Mavic exploding discs anyone - Dave P, Rich V(Rob R-E), and the less famous Dave Millar last year alone).

Deep stiff rims and clinchers = nightmare wrestling match getting tyres on, I'd need "viper wrists" Tunnell at every puncture. I was speaking to the guys in GBs and they said it took 4 of them to get a tyre on the clincher Dailkia wheels, which incidentally the bloke (Scottish ex-pro whose name I can never remember) said were fine for posing, but otherwise....[raised eyebrows].

I can only think the clinchers are an extra £100 because the wheel would be made as one carbon unit like the Campagnolo Hyperon Ultras rather than just getting out the superglue and stuffing an alu rim on.

Yes I am a bike snob and would love all my stuff hand made by an Italian craftsman, but the reality is I can't afford that and nearly all carbon stuff seems to come from Taiwan one way or the other these days which ever sticker is on the final product. Logically that would make the Taiwanese pretty near the top of the tree for using the posh plastic.
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Postby Andrew G » Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:19 pm

I suspect economics also come in to play as well to be fair Sean. How much do you get paid in Taiwan, is it comparable with Europe?
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Postby Andrew G » Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:27 pm

[quote="Seanieh_NoMoreTkts?©"]Me? Nowt.

:lol: . I didn't mean you specifically, just guessed you'd have a bit of inside info.
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Postby George » Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:33 pm

Andrew they look just like the Planet x wheels, probably made in the same factory.
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Postby Andrew G » Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:45 pm

I read somewhere, although not an authority, that they are part of the re-brand with Planet-X wheels, and are the same ones bar the stickers. I've heard lots of good things about the Planet-X wheels from people who use them at TTs and the 50s are top of my list, but these would be quite a bit cheaper for possibly the same wheel. The Karbona frame looks rather similar to the Planet-X one too.
:? ouch, my brain hurts.
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Postby Andrew G » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:10 pm

Me again :roll: .

Bit more digging at it would appear that Karbona and Planet-X wheels are one and the same. Also looking at the new Planet-X website they are selling the 50s at £450, and clinchers of the same at £599 so maybe it is a full carbon clincher not an alu rim as it can't be an extra hundred plus quid to glue a strip of aluminium on. Think I will have to get down to GBs and see if they can shed any light, even though I want the tubs.

Unless I'm mistaken this price (£450) for the 50s is a recent reduction and I'd rather buy the PXs from GBs with ACC discount than a t'internet shop I don't know.
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Postby Dombo » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:53 pm

They're a bit heavy :wink:

Got my alu 1470gm Easton EA90 SLXs from GBs at only 345 in their recent sale.
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Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:57 am

Wheels made out of pasta in a cheese sauce with a bit of bacon :?: :D ...mmmmmmmmmm now you're talking :wink:
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Postby adrian » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:00 am

# Karbona not glue - hey! #
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Postby Elliot M » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:50 pm

that's what i was thinking...

gabba gabba!

ej ramone
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