Carbon Wheel Finder

Head to head

Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51vsZipp 353 NSW

Both sections drawn to one scale, from each maker's published geometry. The differences you can see in the drawing are the differences that exist.

vs
Fig. — rim sections, one scale
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51Zipp 353 NSW
51453130.5
Depth
6 mm apart
51 vs 45 mm
External
0.5 mm apart
31 vs 30.5 mm
Internal
2 mm apart
23 vs 25 mm
Claimed weight
195 g apart
1,450 vs 1,255 g
UK RRP
£1,200 apart
£2,200 vs £3,400

Rim depth

51 mm

45 mm

6 mm apart. Deeper is faster on the flat; shallower is calmer in crosswind and lighter uphill. Neither is simply better.

Internal width

23 mm

25 mm

The wider rim is built around a wider tyre. Match this to the tyre you actually run, not to the bigger number.

External width

31 mm

30.5 mm

Governs how the rim and tyre meet the air, and frame clearance.

Bontrager

Aeolus RSL 51

RRP £2,200

UCI mass-start road

Eligible Eligible on the rules we assess

Zipp

353 NSW

RRP £3,400

UCI mass-start road

Eligible Eligible on rim height; tyre choice is restricted