Paring down what to buy is a combination of finding the wheel that meets the criteria of being strong, light and affordable. Some Clydesdales steer clear of the super lightweight wheels for fear of damaging them and opt for something stronger. By the same token, some light riders try to avoid wheels that are so stiff that they bounce the rider all over a rough road. Others simply have a tight budget to stick to. The one changing variable is race conditions.
Different wheels work differently in many fluid conditions.
Today companies are using new engineering theories involving different aspects of the wheel, including spoke alignment, spoke tension, braking surface coating, hub design, etc. This aspect, combined with the high competition among manufacturers, is important in keeping prices to relatively palatable levels. Composite wheel manufacturers are flexing their muscles as well, with new advances in carbon material and lay-up application, making carbon fiber wheels and rims stronger than ever. New process of development and testing is also helping to make some carbon wheels some of the most aerodynamic wheels in the world. One more factor to consider is weight - one of the features we chart for you when comparing different models.