Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

VO2 Cycling V:Race:88 wheelset

9
£999.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Fast aero wheels that are relatively light and very well built; good value for full carbon clinchers
Weight: 
1,930g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

One of the most effective upgrades you can make to go quicker is to fit aerodynamic wheels, and that means going deep. The V:Race:88 wheels from VO2 Cycling are a bit of a rarity having 88mm deep rims that are also full carbon clinchers.They aren't cheap but are certainly competitive against the opposition.

The profile of the V:88s is a V-shape but with a flatter section towards the brake track rather than the fashion these days of a more rounded, wider rim shape. That doesn't seem to affect the ability of the V:Race:88s to hold speed when out on the road. Above 25mph they come into their own and just roll; they sound amazing too.

Compared to my own usual set up of a 58mm deep front wheel and rear disc the V:88s accelerated quicker and felt much faster over the rolling terrain of various local club time trial courses. Without like for like conditions this may not mean much but riding these courses for the last four or five years on all sorts of different kit I can feel the differences.

Handling in a race against the clock isn't always of the highest priority, the courses are usually straight and not very technical, though even in windy conditions the V:88s never struggled with being buffeted about, which is pretty impressive considering their depth.

If you're not a dragstrip fiend the 1930g weight won't slow you down in the hardrider events either. Okay they aren't the best climbing wheels in the world but they ascend a damn sight better than that figure would have you believe.

Coming back down the carbon braking surface and included pads do a good job of keeping the speed in check without being too grabby when the heat builds. Considering the torturous cable routing of my time trial bike has got the braking power was actually very impressive.

The full carbon rims take the sting out of the road surface, feeling beautifully smooth when running with 23mm tyres at the 128psi maximum pressure limit. You don't sense any vibration getting through or crash from bump to bump which is really going to make a difference on longer distance races of fifty miles and above.

The hubs add to the smoothness, spinning smoothly and practically silent with quick engagement of the pawls as you race away from the timekeeper. The two-cross, 24-spoked rear hub is 11-speed Shimano/SRAM compatible so, if you run Campagnolo on your time trial rig you'll need to use one of the conversion cassettes from the likes of Ambrosio. The front has 20 spokes laced in a radial fashion.

Overall the VO2 V:88s are a great all round set of time trial or triathlon wheels that are well built and smooth running. Being 11-speed compatible they're pretty future proof, and the external nipples allow easy truing without the need for special tools. They stayed true through the test period in all kinds of terrain and road surfaces so hopefully fettling shouldn't be necessary.

On the road they feel fast: lighter and quicker to accelerate than my 58mm and disc set-up certainly and more usable on hilly technical courses.

You can get wheels of this depth for a lower price from the likes of Planet X (although the V:88s roll nicer than those) and others but you'll have to go tubular. Taking the performance argument out of it clinchers are always going to be more practical. Full carbon clinchers are expensive and with the likes of Zipp and FFWD's models coming in at more than twice the price of the V:88s shows what good value they are for £999.

You get titanium skewers chucked in with the brake pads and the option of changing the decal colours.

Verdict

Fast aero wheels that are relatively light and very well built; good value for full carbon clinchers

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: VO2 Cycling V:Race:88 wheelset

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Perfect for riders who want to take their time trials and triathlons to the next level. Our 88mm rims have an extremely aerodynamic profile and although extremely stiff, they are very smooth and comfortable to ride." is what VO2 have to say and I'm inclined to agree. They are stiff yet supple and certainly feel very fast indeed.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

*Full carbon fibre clincher rim

*V-shaped profile

*11psd compatible (Shimano/SRAM fitment)

*20 front / 24 rear spokes

*128psi max pressure

*110kg rider weight limit

*External nipples

*Titanium skewers / carbon compatible pads included

*Customisable graphic

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

No creaks or groans form the rims and they remained true. Hubs are super smooth and kept the rain out.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very impressive straight line speed and controllable enough for technical routes.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

No issues whatsoever.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

A decent weight for such deep rims.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Shock absorbing feel from the carbon construction.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Impressive value compared to the clincher competition but more expensive than tubular versions on the market.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Really worked well in all conditions you are likely to find yourself racing against the clock.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The all round usability in varying terrains.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

High price compared to tubular competition although I can understand the extra structural complexities involved in a clincher rim.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

I've used a lot of deep section wheels over the years on both road and time trial bikes and I'd happily say the V:88s are up there with the best considering the price. They ride more like a pair of 50mm rims making them very versatile. Overall build quality is impressive too.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Kinesis T2  My best bike is: Kinesis Aithien

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
shadwell | 9 years ago
0 likes

This rating seems far too high for a pair if generic Chinese wheels available from farsport for 400quid max....
The test fails to imperially confirm the brake tracks capability or safety, and these rims are known to be notably worse in crosswind and gusting conditions than other market leaders wheels...
So over priced relative to direct purchase, and under performing for the price being charged.. 9/10... Someone is easily pleased...

Avatar
DavidC replied to shadwell | 9 years ago
0 likes
shadwell wrote:

This rating seems far too high for a pair if generic Chinese wheels available from farsport for 400quid max....

Admittedly, with no research or effort on my part whatsoever, my first guess after glancing at these was "generic Chinese wheels", probably with re-branded Novatech hubs (which is what many/most affordable high-end emulator wheelsets use). If I am wrong, please do correct me.

Avatar
tandellcycling | 9 years ago
0 likes

88mm carbon wheels looks nice,forward to u shape carbon rims profile

Avatar
DeanF316 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Who the hell are VO2? I will stick with wheels made by companies that have been doing for more than 5 mins and actually manufacture rather than buy from far east re badge and have a web site calming they are the best ever.

Avatar
DeanF316 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Who the hell are VO2? I will stick with wheels made by companies that have been doing for more than 5 mins and actually manufacture rather than buy from far east re badge and have a web site calming they are the best ever.

Avatar
crikey | 9 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

One of the most effective upgrades you can make to go quicker is to fit aerodynamic wheels

Can you quantify this please?

How much faster over what distance and over what terrain?

Avatar
Dnnnnnn | 9 years ago
0 likes

Not sure that £999 for a pair of wheels is "good value" in my book!

Avatar
OnTheRopes | 9 years ago
0 likes

Am I missing something? As far as I am aware and through personal experience Campag and Shimano 11 speed are fully compatible so you can use the shimano cassette in campag gears? At least that's what I do.
So why the need for a converter unless you absolutley have to use a campag cassette?

Latest Comments