Rolf Prima Carbon TdF38

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at online

Favorite Ride:
Anything steep

Bike Setup:
Lots of carbon with some Ti hardware, 14 pounds with the Rolfs.

Summary:
Bought these new online a few years ago strictly for racing (cat1). I run Conti Sprinter tubs, which mesh well with the rim shape. I have (cringe) run these in a few crits (thankfully w/o wadding them), circuit races, and long, long hilly days.

These wheels are stiff laterally and super supple - they ride like velvet. I am not a big guy (160lbs/73kg) but am strong enough to flex the big ring of my 7800 cranks. These wheels barely flex. There is absolutely no spin-up time (or effort). You think about accelerating and it has already happened. Rolf recommends running Cool Stop black brake pads and they stop like the dickens - wet or dry. After breaking in the wheels/bearing they spin...forever. Seriously, go pour yourself a cup of coffee. The reinforced braking surface has held up great - especially with all the challenging (read - crappy) conditions that I have ridden the wheels in. They have remained remarkably true (laterally and radially). Best race wheel I have ever ridden. Period.

Strengths:
Weight
Durability
Customer Service
Build Quality

Weaknesses:
Cost (you get what you pay for - these are like driving a Ferrari)

Similar Products Used:
Reynolds Stratus DV46 tub
Easton EC90 SLX tub
Mavic Cosmic Carbone tub

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Revolution Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Gonzo Pass, Lincoln, NH

Bike Setup:
Bianchi 928 carbon (2005) with Campy Record (2008), currently using vittoria tires.

Summary:
Extremely smooth and buttery feel, though light - feel fast and firm though. Need to use them more for a complete review but they have held their own over major road bumps - still true after some hard bumps. So far so good. Some adjustment to record derauiller becasue of spokes htting it but not a problem.

Strengths:
Light, smoothness, turning and cornering appear really stable and solid.

Weaknesses:
Price.

Price Paid:  $1799.00

Favorite Ride:
Hwy 242

Bike Setup:
Custom Compact steel Burley Wolf Creek with all the Dura Ace trimings.

Summary:
Super fast lowest spoke count of any wheel I have ever had the pleasure of riding. The 14 spoke fornt and 16 spoke rear make for one of the fastest wheels on the market. The medium profile of the Tdf 38's offers a great all around performance weather it's chasing down a breakaway or attacking a steep climb.

Strengths:
Bladed spokes, recessed nipples(the sign of a true aero design). Great price for a hand made Carbon Tubular wheelset.

Weaknesses:
This was my first tubular wheels set and likewise my first attempt at mounting tubular tires. Still was time well spent.

Similar Products Used:
Rolf Prima Vigors
Mavic Wheels
American Classic Sprint wheels