I am looking at picking up a set of 20mm clinchers soon. I like the Far Sports FSC20-cs. I have my concerns of strength with such a small carbon profile. I weigh 180 pounds and a strong sprint style rider.

I saw a 20mm carbon clincher at a local bike shop that had split when they aired it up, so I naturally am concerned.

These wheels would be used for training purposes and all year around.

Anyone have any input?

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2011 Felt F5 Limited
2007 Lynskey Level 2
2008 Masi Speciale Fixed
2011 Felt F75

I think the intended purpose answers your question. As a heavier rider and having already seen a failure it doesn't make sense as a year round trainer. Trainers should be durable and problem free, lightweight is fine but not at the expense of the other two.

So the question is, is there a light weight durable wheel out there made in carbon fiber that doesn't have a deep profile.

From doing some quick research it looks like 24mm carbon clinchers may be what I am looking for.

I am looking to see if any fellow weight weenie's has had any experience with such wheels.

Please chime in if you have.

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2011 Felt F5 Limited
2007 Lynskey Level 2
2008 Masi Speciale Fixed
2011 Felt F75

I had a pair of 20mm clinchers from light-bicycle.com that failed after descending a very steep twisty canyon. The brake track got hot enough that the pressure of the tube bulged the side of both rims. Very scary failure!

If you want low profile, go with tubulars. They're lighter too!

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Trek 5500 - 13.75lbs on a $1400 Budget
20 gram 1x10 chain guide

Corima Winium or Campagnolo Hyperons?

If you want to take the risk with a cheaper rim, I'd opt for tubulars.

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Just ride

In current clincher offerings there's no real weight advantage to low profile carbon rims. The weight savings of carbon don't seem to kick in until 30mm+ generally, so it's not worth the worse braking performance and increased chance of failure.

how much weight will this set up save you comapred to alloy rims like kinlin xr-200 or stan's. i say the difference has to be over 200grams to be considered. you are loosing on braking performance and maybe reliability.

http://www.xentis.com/en/2012/squad-2-5 ... /products/

would be my pick if I was in the market.

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http://www.hackracer.com/

About -50g. Stans aluminium rims are lighter than the 20mm carbon clinchers from FarSports.

For what it's worth I noticed that some of the Chinese sellers/manufacturers stopped making clinchers in anything shallower than 38mm....

If your big and a sprinter and these are for training go 42mm minimum in carbon,
Or build hed Belgiums, There alloy but Aero, 23mm wide and nice reliable wheels.
Theres also h+son Archertypes.

Who will buy a 20mm carbon clincher when it is heavier than a 38mm tubular?

Maybe people who don't ride tubulars no matter what the weight difference is.

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.::. Taking the hobbits to Isengard since 2001 .::.
My bikes:
Parlee Z3SL: DI2,THM, EDGE, Gravitas and loads more (5,79kg)
S-Works Transition: Sram Red, Xentis and more
Pinarello F4:13: Campagnolo SR11 and Racing Speeds and more (SOLD)

A Stans 340 rim which is wide also, 17 inner bead to bead. It will be lighter than a 20mm carbon clincher, there are no heat related issues since its aluminum and it'll be more comfortable for year round training. Its a no brainer really.

I have learned alot from your replies. Thanks for all the info!

Keep it coming!

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2011 Felt F5 Limited
2007 Lynskey Level 2
2008 Masi Speciale Fixed
2011 Felt F75