Is the Weight Of 5 Spoke Mags Worth It?

[WillboSlice]

looking at getting some 5 spoke mags for my hybrid, is the extra weight going to make that much difference to an already pretty heavy bike? the ones im looking at claim to be more aero-dynamic offering the "windmill effect" and weigh about 1kg each. just wondering other peoples opinions on these wheels.

 

[mattbrown]

what you have got to think about is the fact that heavier wheels spinning do have an affect, just think about a bucket of water, if you spin around with it, the heaver the bucket of water the bigger the rotating mass, thus the more it wants to pull you off centre

but then that might be over stating the affects of bike wheels

 

[DM]

Mag wheels? :x

The fashion police will come around with a box of spokes and force you to learn how to build proper wheels.
And the weight-weenies will have a heart attack at the thought of shifting an extra few kilos of rotating mass.

When it comes to mag wheels, if they're not Skyway Graphites with the gold Campy hub inserts, they're best left in Halfords (in my opinion).