This is a review of Lightweight Standard generation 2 wheels manufactured by CarbonSports in Germany (16 spoke front and 20 spoke rear). The first generation Standard rear wheel was built around either Shimano or Campagnolo rear hub internals. The G2's have DT Swiss 240 internals. The DT Swiss hub is a very clever design that facilitates the quickest and easiest freehub swap of any hub I've used. Lightweight has recently announced its third generation wheel. The G3 differs from the G2 by changing the spokes from a carbon/Kevlar composition to pure carbon. While Kevlar is very strong, it is not that stiff. CarbonSports claims that the all carbon spoke wheel is 30% stiffer than the carbon/Kevlar version. I would also think this change would result in a stiffer riding wheel vertically as well.
I have reviewed some European wind tunnel data on 40 plus popular wheel models and the Lightweight Standard G2s are among the most aerodynamic wheels you can ride. With excellent aerodynamics, hyper light weight, a reputation for amazing strength and build quality and the ability to swap out freehubs between Campy and Shimano/Sram in less than a minute, the G2 wheels should be equally suitable for both road and triathlon racing.
Lightweight wheels are made differently than most carbon tubular wheels. The rims are only carbon and resin; they have no clear coat and no braking surface. As a result, there are some irregularities in the carbon surface due to imperfections in the way the resin fills in the spaces in the carbon. The lack of a braking surface requires the use of special compound brake pads made by SwissStop specifically for Lightweight wheels. I have been using SwissStop Yellow King carbon brake pads since I first tried them because they perform so much better than others. I tried the Yellow King pads on the Lightweights initially and then switched to the Lightweight special compound pads. The Lightweight pads easily out perform the yellow ones on Lightweight wheels and result in superb braking performance even when wet. Another common trait to the wheels is that the spokes do not have a uniform width. Moreover, because the spokes are laminated to the hub and rim, the wheel cannot come out of true. Finally, the wheels are repairable for any number of problems except if a spoke is cut. CarbonSports claims that no Lightweight has ever failed in the history of the wheels unless a foreign object has made contact with the spoke or the wheel has been crashed. Nevertheless, when you first examine a set of Lightweight wheels you may think there are quality control issues until you understand the manufacturing process. After you tape on some tires and take them out for a ride, you quickly appreciate how well they are actually made. Please note that CarbonSports approves of and even recommends the use of Tufo tape to mount tubular tires.
After mounting the same tires I use on every set of wheels (Tufo Elite Jets), I had my initial 40-mile ride. Unfortunately, I forgot to install little rubber o-rings around the valve stems to keep them from making a loud clicking sound. Some wheels are more prone to this than others. The clicking from the Lightweights was so distracting that it was hard to concentrate on the wheel’s ride characteristics. I’ve now put several hundred miles on them after installing the o-rings and the clicking sound has disappeared.
I am used to riding hyper light wheels, but with the Lightweights I expected improvement in aerodynamics and strength. In those two respects, I think the Lightweights are most impressive. While all wheels flex laterally, the Lightweights are stiffer than any other wheel I’ve used including my standard bearer, the Mavic Ksyrium SL. What is simply astounding though is how smooth they roll and the amount of feedback or road feel they provide. I have never used a wheel and tire combination that has even come close to the level of feedback generated from the Lightweights and Tufos. The dynamic quality of telepathic road feel without harshness is the best experience I’ve had on a bike.
If you’re a car person, go test drive a Honda Accord, BMW 3 Series Coupe and a Porsche 911. All three are comfortable and well-mannered cars, but the dynamic qualities are strikingly different. The Accord is pleasant but it has muted road feel, the BMW is significantly more fun to drive, but the 911 will put a smile on your face whenever and wherever you drive it. Lightweights are like driving a 911, they are dynamic, reasonably comfortable, constantly communicating with you, can turn any ordinary ride into an extraordinary one and they will most definitely put a smile on your face.
Please note that I have been testing the Lightweights on a road bike made from Columbus triple butted steel tubing. I'm building up a brand new full carbon tri bike that I should be able to ride this weekend with the Lightweights. I will report back on how they ride on an all carbon frameset while in the aero bars after I get a few rides in. For now, though, Lightweight Standards are the best riding and performing wheels I have used and they are comfortable enough, strong enough and aerodynamic enough to use on any type of bike for any type of riding. If you can afford them, then you should buy a set. If you find the price too high (G3s are now selling for $4,500.00), then buy a used pair or less expensive frame and components. There is far more difference between average and great wheels than there is between average and great framesets and component groups.
ADDENDUM – RIDING A TRI BIKE
There is a significant difference between the dynamics of riding a road bike and a tri bike. There is even more difference between the way you ride a bike during road racing and triathlon racing. On a road bike you ride with more weight on the saddle, your upper body is supported by your hands and wrists and your effort varies greatly depending upon the particular situation. On a tri bike, you are more forward with less weight on the saddle, your upper body is supported by your elbows and upper arms and you generally maintain a constant effort. As a result, road bike riding and racing is far more sensitive to wheel/tire selection than tri bike riding and racing.
Riding a tri bike with Lightweight Standard wheels does not produce the same dramatic results noted above while riding a road bike. Although the Lightweight’s smoothness, strength, aerodynamics and great ride produce the best performing spoked wheel for triathlons in my opinion, it is not dramatically better than other well made carbon tubulars. From a price/performance perspective, I would choose Zipp 404s, 808s or a similar model for triathlons. Moreover, I still think that Zipp 999 tubulars are the best triathlon racing wheels for flat or rolling courses. If the course has any sustained climbing or is too windy for a disc wheel, then I would choose the Lightweights due to their strength and weight advantage. For a multipurpose wheelset, though, particularly one that will get significant use, the Lightweight Standards are perhaps the best available.
P. S. Please bear in mind that tire selection is critically important. I'm using Tufo Elite Jet tires and they have very different ride qualities compared to other tubular tires, including other Tufo models. If you don't have a similar experience when riding Lightweight wheels, try mounting Tufo Elite Jet tires. Also, for a more detailed description of the wheels, the manufacturing process and the history of the same, please use the link on the right to CarbonSports.