Cheap Carbon Wheels vs Reality — What a Pro Mechanic Really Thinks
Cus Baker
22,508 views
I bought a set of 1,300g carbon wheels for £330 — after 1500 miles of riding them I took them to Jon at The Cycle Workshop (a channel with nearly 50K subscribers) to find out if they're any good… and importantly, are they safe?
In this video, Jon gives the wheels a proper inspection — checking spoke tension, bearing quality, rim true, and overall build safety. He finds a couple of genuine concerns you NEED to know about if you're considering budget carbon wheels. But it's not all bad news. He also shares some brilliant maintenance tips that apply to ANY wheels you're riding, no matter the brand or price.This isn't just a review — it's a bike mechanic's honest verdict on whether cheap carbon wheels are worth the risk.
Video Chapters:
00:00 The £330 carbon wheel gamble
01:38 Visiting John at The Cycle Workshop
02:42 First impressions: Rim design and weight
03:49 The danger of "side entry" spoke holes
04:05 Identifying galvanic corrosion
04:48 Testing the front hub bearings (The crunch!)
06:00 Lateral and radial trueness test
08:08 Front wheel inspection summary
09:40 Dealing with "cassette bite" on the rear wheel
10:17 The benefits of Star Ratchet hub systems
12:01 DIY Maintenance: How to service your freehub
13:51 Are cheap bearings the weak point?
15:11 Why "fully captive" spoke holes are safer
16:24 Easy pro tips for new wheels (Check your grease!)
17:09 Side-by-side: Riot Wheels vs. Elite ENT Wheels
21:11 Checking the rear wheel trueness (1cm buckle?)
22:14 How to check spoke tension at home
25:25 The final verdict: Would a pro mechanic buy these?
26:42 Key takeaways for buying wheels online
🔧 The Cycle Workshop: Check out Jon's channel for more expert bike maintenance - @thecycleworkshop
🚴♂️ Subscribe for weekly cycling vlogs, budget tech reviews, and honest opinions from the road and gravel: @cusbaker
Disclaimer:
The information, opinions, and recommendations shared on this channel are based on personal experience, research, and preferences. Information and product reviews are provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.
We encourage viewers to do their own research and consider their individual needs before making any purchase. Riding and maintaining bikes involves inherent risks, and safety should always be your top priority. Always follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines. Any product warranties, guarantee and service claims are provided solely by the manufacturer or seller. This channel does not provide or imply any warranty or guarantee regarding products reviewed or used.
Some links in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue creating content.
We are not responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur from the use of the products or information featured on this channel.
Your use and viewing of any materials and videos published by this channel confirms your acknowledgement and agreement of the above.Some links in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue creating content.
We are not responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur from the use of the products or information featured on this channel.
Your use and viewing of any materials and videos published by this channel confirms your acknowledgement and agreement of the above.
20 Comments
I'm probably gonna jinx it and they'll catch fire when I post this but 500miles later after beating the crap out of em, 6 days a week (50/50 off-road and road) and they haven't skipped a beat.
I've subscribed to your channel for the future. 👍👍👍
Great video mate, really interesting
Most brands cut corners to keep prices low unless you have deep pockets for the absolute premium setups.
Most of my modern wheel hubs have proved problematic yet I can lay my hands on my wheels from the late 80's one with Mavic SSC hubs though now dismantled so misus a rim and my still perfectly true and running 90's C Record hubs that still run perfect even if I current have no built up Bike to use them with.
I do own an entry set of Campagnolo rim brake wheels that I never had an issues with and are also currently not in use.
Having switch to disc brakes and the a new Gravel touring bike a few years back.
Though I would love an all singing modern racers, I cannot justify the high prices of a Full Carbon set up for the limited riding I currently do.
To this day I have never ridden a Carbon bike. Back in the 80's as an Club rider I was warned away from them because at 6.4ft they we considered to much of risk to debound at the lugs with a tall rider.
So my super lightweight Bike were Aluminium frame like the early European imported Cannondale. R1000 2.8 frame.
Super stiff super light unfortunately super uncomfortable on British Tarmac over long distances due to most U.S road races been in the Criterium formate.
So without waffling on Carbon is still a mystery to me at 60 years old.
But lightness is not everything that is for sure.
Hopfully we are heading back in that direction of a common fitting standard , like we have seen with USB C and other consumables.
I have boxes full of parts that only work with a certain hub or bearing.
We do not need all these different sized fittings.
Cheap Carbon Wheels vs Reality — What a Pro Mechanic Really Thinks
Cus Baker
22,508 views
I bought a set of 1,300g carbon wheels for £330 — after 1500 miles of riding them I took them to Jon at The Cycle Workshop (a channel with nearly 50K subscribers) to find out if they're any good… and importantly, are they safe?
In this video, Jon gives the wheels a proper inspection — checking spoke tension, bearing quality, rim true, and overall build safety. He finds a couple of genuine concerns you NEED to know about if you're considering budget carbon wheels. But it's not all bad news. He also shares some brilliant maintenance tips that apply to ANY wheels you're riding, no matter the brand or price.This isn't just a review — it's a bike mechanic's honest verdict on whether cheap carbon wheels are worth the risk.
Video Chapters:
00:00 The £330 carbon wheel gamble
01:38 Visiting John at The Cycle Workshop
02:42 First impressions: Rim design and weight
03:49 The danger of "side entry" spoke holes
04:05 Identifying galvanic corrosion
04:48 Testing the front hub bearings (The crunch!)
06:00 Lateral and radial trueness test
08:08 Front wheel inspection summary
09:40 Dealing with "cassette bite" on the rear wheel
10:17 The benefits of Star Ratchet hub systems
12:01 DIY Maintenance: How to service your freehub
13:51 Are cheap bearings the weak point?
15:11 Why "fully captive" spoke holes are safer
16:24 Easy pro tips for new wheels (Check your grease!)
17:09 Side-by-side: Riot Wheels vs. Elite ENT Wheels
21:11 Checking the rear wheel trueness (1cm buckle?)
22:14 How to check spoke tension at home
25:25 The final verdict: Would a pro mechanic buy these?
26:42 Key takeaways for buying wheels online
🔧 The Cycle Workshop: Check out Jon's channel for more expert bike maintenance - @thecycleworkshop
🚴♂️ Subscribe for weekly cycling vlogs, budget tech reviews, and honest opinions from the road and gravel: @cusbaker
Disclaimer:
The information, opinions, and recommendations shared on this channel are based on personal experience, research, and preferences. Information and product reviews are provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.
We encourage viewers to do their own research and consider their individual needs before making any purchase. Riding and maintaining bikes involves inherent risks, and safety should always be your top priority. Always follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines. Any product warranties, guarantee and service claims are provided solely by the manufacturer or seller. This channel does not provide or imply any warranty or guarantee regarding products reviewed or used.
Some links in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue creating content.
We are not responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur from the use of the products or information featured on this channel.
Your use and viewing of any materials and videos published by this channel confirms your acknowledgement and agreement of the above.Some links in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue creating content.
We are not responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur from the use of the products or information featured on this channel.
Your use and viewing of any materials and videos published by this channel confirms your acknowledgement and agreement of the above.
So here's the question — knowing what a pro mechanic found when he actually got hands-on with these: would you buy them?
I'm genuinely curious where people land on this. Is the saving worth it for what you get, or does the old "buy cheap, buy twice" rule still hold for you?
Let me know below 👇