Carbon Wheels for ebike

[Shane.T]

Hi all

I've had my turbo levo for around 2 months now and have decided the ebike is the way to go all the time consequently I'm going to sell my
Trek Fuel EX 9.8. The trek has a set of Sram Roam 60 carbon wheels, should I change from the original Specialised Roval wheels on the levo
to the Sram Roam wheels, I'm thinking I'll just change the wheelset and keep the same tyres on each bike, also is running tubeless better on a ebike??

Thanks....Shane

 

[ziscwg]

Hi all

I've had my turbo levo for around 2 months now and have decided the ebike is the way to go all the time consequently I'm going to sell my
Trek Fuel EX 9.8. The trek has a set of Sram Roam 60 carbon wheels, should I change from the original Specialised Roval wheels on the levo
to the Sram Roam wheels, I'm thinking I'll just change the wheelset and keep the same tyres on each bike, also is running tubeless better on a ebike??

Thanks....Shane

first running tubeless is almost always better unless you are a roadie.

I'm assuming all wheel sizes are the same. I'm not that familiar with the Fuel EX.

if your wheels are on the lighter, XC, side of wheels, they may not be strong enough to hold up. The torque from the motor and extra weight hitting rocks could be an issue.

In the end, it's your choice. If it were me, I'd put rim protector like Huck Norris or CushCore on the rear wheel.

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

Been running carbon wheels for 16m on the levo without issue. Made a big difference over the standard wheels. Lifetime warranty so I'm not fussed either way. I'd say go for it.

 

[118]

Been running carbon wheels for 16m on the levo without issue. Made a big difference over the standard wheels. Lifetime warranty so I'm not fussed either way. I'd say go for it.

29"? 35mm? Brand? ta..

 

[Shane.T]

Been running carbon wheels for 16m on the levo without issue. Made a big difference over the standard wheels. Lifetime warranty so I'm not fussed either way. I'd say go for it.

Thanks for the info, I spoke to my LBS and they said that the standard wheels are programmed into the motor consequently the carbons wheel would not be suitable, might seek a second opinion

 

[HGmtb]

If they are 29" wheels, then the motor is programmed for them.

 

[Shane.T]

If they are 29" wheels, then the motor is programmed for them.

Good, I might give them a go,

 

[Mabman]

I've got i35 carbon rims and Chris King hubs on my eMTB.

That LBS is FOS.

 

[Gavalar]

Thanks for the info, I spoke to my LBS and they said that the standard wheels are programmed into the motor consequently the carbons wheel would not be suitable, might seek a second opinion

Your LBS is obviously talking SH*T, if that was the case then why have Specialized put Roval carbon rims on my brothers S-WORKS?

 

[Shane.T]

Your LBS is obviously talking SH*T, if that was the case then why have Specialized put Roval carbon rims on my brothers S-WORKS?

Thanks for all the replies, as a follow up I'll put the wheels on,

2 questions - is going tubeless worthwhile and should I continue with the butcher grid tyre or switch to the Maxxis Minion DHR11 which I was quite fond of??

 

[Benson]

2 questions - is going tubeless worthwhile and should I continue with the butcher grid tyre or switch to the Maxxis Minion DHR11 which I was quite fond of??

Tubeless is essential for puncture prevention and running lower pressures. Personally I switched from the standard Butchers to a 2.4” DHR WT on the rear and a 2.5 DHF WT on the front and it feels miles better.

 

[Shane.T]

Yeah I agree, when riding the butchers the front seems to wash out more than the Maxxis but I thought it may be me getting used to the extra weight and design of the ebike. Thanks for the update

 

[Benson]

Yeah I agree, when riding the butchers the front seems to wash out more than the Maxxis but I thought it may be me getting used to the extra weight and design of the ebike. Thanks for the update

You could try lowering the front pressure a few psi to see if that helps. Keep going until you eliminate the issue but stop before you feel any squirm.

 

[cozzy]

Not for me. I spent a stack of cash on SC reserves for my bronson. Hated the bike and sold it after a few months. I kept the wheels though and fitted then to my kenevo. Guess what, it turned that Into a harsh and unpleasant ride also.
Alloys from now on.

 

[Paul Mac]

Thanks for the info, I spoke to my LBS and they said that the standard wheels are programmed into the motor consequently the carbons wheel would not be suitable, might seek a second opinion

What a load of rubbish!

 

[Cale3999]

Thanks for the info, I spoke to my LBS and they said that the standard wheels are programmed into the motor consequently the carbons wheel would not be suitable, might seek a second opinion

hahha programmed in wth they talking about... carbon is fine bro

 

[Cale3999]

Yeah I agree, when riding the butchers the front seems to wash out more than the Maxxis but I thought it may be me getting used to the extra weight and design of the ebike. Thanks for the update

man thought same today...what Maxxis you have on front otherwise HRII or DHF?

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

Been running carbon wheels for 16m on the levo without issue. Made a big difference over the standard wheels. Lifetime warranty so I'm not fussed either way. I'd say go for it.

29"? 35mm? Brand? ta..

29 m60hv enve 26mm inner I think or 28.

Lifetime warranty. Happy days

 

[derby]

A year now on my 2018 Levo Carbon and I had immediately replaced the stock Roval aluminum 27.5 x 40mm inside width to my carbon fiber Derby 29 x 40i AM 32H AM with 2.6 tires on the front and Derby 278.5 x 45i AM 32H with 2.8 tires on the rear, both with Onyx Racing Products hhubs with rear steel casette driver. The Derby carbon rim and heavier Onyx hub wheel weight difference is 2 lbs lower than the stock Roval aluminum rim wheels.

The mullet 29/27.5 is a noticeable improvement in rollover especially while descending. Handling with stock wheels was balanced, and with mullet wheels also balanced and smoother rolling. I tried a Derby 29 x 40i with 2.6 rear also, which added a little in smoother rollover, but reduced climbing and braking rear traction.

A friend on the same model 2018 Levo with stock 2 lb heavier wheels and same tire model Schwalbe Eddie Currents, and I on my Derby's did battery use distance comparisons. We are nearly the same weight, and climb and handel bikes nearly the same also. The 2 lb lighter carbon Derby/Onyx wheels did not improve battery use more than about 1 or 2% better compared to the stock wheels over a long ride draining our fully charged batteries to 10%. We had both set our Mission Control power settings to be much lower than stock default power mode settings except hard pedaling turbo mode (100%). And we stayed in eco mode as long as possible, and had changed power levels up for steeper climbs at the same time.

Changing tires to lighter and easier rolling Schwalbe Hans Dampf front and Nobby Nic rear tires made a much bigger difference. Weight is about 635 g or 1.4 lbs lighter than Eddie Currents, and the easier rolling treads enabled close to 10% less battery use measured in the same overall miles covered on the same long battery draining ride with similar mainly dry trail conditions.

Here's a little self promotion if considering carbon fiber rims for any bike. Derby Rims are well proven as the most durable carbon fiber rims, not the lightest and also not the heaviest for a given rim wheel size size and width. Nearly every Derby mountain rim model has had a less than 0.5% damage rate during the last 3 years, and a large majority of the rare damage was for Derby rims that were over 2 to 6 years old. Only the 27.5 x 35i AM has a higher rate near 1% during the last 3 years, I suspect due to the most harsh Enduro DH type high speeds over rocks frequently bottoming suspension or large drop landings onto rock landings, which is abusive use of any AM equipment. AM is NOT Enduro. AM is and always has been technically difficult trail climbing oriented with technical difficult trail descending at moderate speeds. Enduro DH high speed and free-ride large drop stunt riders should be on Derby DH rims for best 0.5% damage rate durability. The Derby road width 25mm inside and narrower rims, normally used for mountain XC, road, and gravel road bikes, have never been reported damaged in 4 years of availability.

 

[ridesantacruz]

I am running the SC Reserve 30 29" rims with Industry 9 hubs on my 2020 Levo Expert, tubeless with Cushcore. Maxxis Aggressor 2.5 in the front and DHR 2.4 in the rear. Loving it!