Frequently Asked Questions

Carbon fiber offers superior stiffness-to-weight ratio, better aerodynamics, and excellent vibration damping. Carbon rims can be shaped for optimal aerodynamics while remaining lighter than aluminum equivalents. The material also dampens road vibration better, resulting in a more comfortable ride on long distances.

Rim depth depends on your riding style and conditions. Shallow rims (30-40mm) are versatile and handle crosswinds well, ideal for climbing and all-around use. Mid-depth (45-60mm) balances aerodynamics and weight for racing and fast group rides. Deep rims (60mm+) offer maximum aerodynamic advantage for time trials and flat courses, but require confidence in crosswinds.

We offer DT Swiss, Chris King, and Industry Nine hubs. DT Swiss provides excellent value with legendary reliability and smooth performance. Chris King offers American craftsmanship with instant engagement and lifetime service support. Industry Nine features the fastest engagement available and customizable colors. Your choice depends on priorities: value, aesthetics, or engagement speed.

Yes, all our carbon rims come tubeless-ready with high-quality tape pre-installed. Tubeless setup reduces weight, improves puncture resistance, and allows running lower tire pressures for better grip and comfort. We include tubeless valves and provide setup instructions with every wheelset.

Spoke count affects strength, weight, and ride quality. 24-spoke (front) and 28-spoke (rear) is ideal for lighter riders (<70kg) and racing. 28/32-spoke provides excellent strength-to-weight for most riders (70-85kg). 32/36-spoke offers maximum durability for heavier riders (>85kg), loaded touring, or rough terrain. We'll recommend the optimal count based on your weight and riding style.

With proper care, high-quality carbon wheels can last many years. Carbon rims don't wear like aluminum brake tracks (disc brake wheels). The limiting factor is usually hub bearing life and spoke fatigue, both easily serviceable. We've seen well-maintained wheelsets perform excellently after 5-7 years and 50,000+ kilometers.

Start by filling out our online customization form with your riding details and preferences. Our wheel building specialists will review your requirements and contact you within 24 hours with component recommendations and a detailed quote. Once you approve the specification, we'll begin sourcing components and building your wheelset.

Custom wheelsets typically take 2-3 weeks from order confirmation to shipping. This includes component sourcing (2-3 days), professional hand-building (3-4 days), tensioning and stress relief (2 days), quality testing (1 day), and final packaging (1 day). Rush service available for additional fee with 7-10 day completion.

Minor specification changes can be accommodated before we begin building, usually within 48 hours of order confirmation. Once component sourcing begins, changes may incur restocking fees or delays. Contact us immediately if you need to modify your order.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers. For orders over $2,000, we offer flexible payment plans through our financing partners. Split your payment into 3-12 monthly installments with competitive rates. Contact our sales team for financing options and approval.

We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied, return the wheelset in original condition for a full refund minus shipping costs. We're confident you'll love your wheels, but we want you to ride with complete peace of mind.

We ship worldwide to over 100 countries. Domestic shipping (China mainland) takes 2-4 business days and is free. International shipping varies by region: Asia-Pacific (5-7 days), Europe and Americas (7-12 days), Australia/NZ (8-12 days). All international shipments include full insurance and tracking.

Shipping costs vary by destination. Domestic China shipping is free. International rates: Asia-Pacific $45-65, Europe $75-95, Americas $85-110, Australia/NZ $95-120. Exact cost calculated at checkout. All shipments include full insurance coverage for the wheelset value.

Wheels ship in heavy-duty custom wheel boxes with foam inserts and protective wheel bags. Each wheelset is individually wrapped and secured to prevent movement during transit. We include build documentation, care instructions, tubeless valves, and warranty information. Our packaging ensures your wheels arrive in perfect condition.

International shipments may be subject to import duties, taxes, and customs fees depending on your country's regulations. These charges are the recipient's responsibility and vary by location and product value. We provide all required customs documentation to facilitate smooth clearance. Contact us for specific information about your country.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), PayPal, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency. For orders over $2,000, we offer financing through our payment partners with flexible installment plans. Payment is required at order confirmation before we begin building your wheelset.

Payment is due at order confirmation, before we begin sourcing components and building. This ensures we can reserve your chosen components and begin your build immediately. For large orders, we can arrange 50% deposit with balance due before shipping.

Yes! We offer special pricing for cycling teams, clubs, and bulk orders. Team discounts start at 3+ wheelsets with increasing savings for larger orders. Contact our sales team with your requirements for a custom team quote and volume pricing.

We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee from delivery date. If you're not satisfied, return the wheelset in original condition for a full refund minus shipping costs. Custom painted or engraved wheels are non-refundable due to personalization. Manufacturing defects are covered under warranty with free replacement or repair.

Clean wheels regularly with mild soap and water, avoiding harsh chemicals. Check spoke tension every 1,000km by squeezing spoke pairs – they should feel uniformly tight. Inspect for cracks or damage before rides. Keep hub bearings clean and repack annually. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Bring to a professional wheel builder if you notice wobbles or loose spokes.

Well-built wheels should stay true for thousands of kilometers with proper care. Check trueness every 2,000-3,000km or if you notice wobbles or brake rub. We offer free lifetime truing for all wheelsets we build – just ship them to us or visit a certified wheel builder. Wheels that go out of true quickly may indicate loose spokes or impact damage requiring professional attention.

Hub service intervals depend on riding conditions and usage. Generally, inspect hub bearings annually or every 5,000-8,000km. Bearings should spin smoothly without play or grinding. Wet, muddy, or salty conditions require more frequent service. DT Swiss hubs can go 10,000km between services. Chris King and Industry Nine recommend annual bearing inspection. We offer professional hub service with genuine parts.

Yes, but only with carbon-specific brake pads. Carbon brake tracks require special pads that don't overheat the rim. Braking performance is good in dry conditions but reduced in wet weather compared to aluminum. Most riders prefer disc brake carbon wheels for consistent all-weather braking. If choosing rim brake carbon wheels, always use the correct brake pads to avoid rim damage.

Optimal tire pressure depends on rider weight, tire width, and road conditions. General guideline for tubeless: 25mm tires 85-95psi (lighter riders) to 95-105psi (heavier riders). 28mm tires 75-85psi to 85-95psi. Wider tires allow lower pressures for better comfort and grip. Start at the mid-range and adjust based on feel. Lower pressure improves comfort; higher pressure reduces rolling resistance. Tubeless allows 10-15% lower pressure than clincher.