The honest tradeoffs, without the marketing.
Monsoon Cycles, Colorado Springs · Updated August 21, 2026
A 30mm rim is the default for a reason: light, easy to build, unbothered by wind, comfortable spoke lengths. It gives up a little speed and nothing else.
A 60mm rim is where measurable aero shows up. Published wind tunnel numbers vary by brand and yaw angle, but the consistent finding is single-digit watt savings over a shallow rim at race speeds, growing as speed climbs. The costs: more weight, more surface for crosswinds to shove, and a stiffer, deeper wheel that telegraphs more road. On a flat course at speed, it is worth it. Grinding up a pass at 12 km/h, it is dead weight.
A 90mm rim is a specialist. Time trials, velodromes, flat criteriums, or anywhere the road stays fast and the wind stays polite. In a gusty crosswind a 90 will steer for you, and not in a good way.
The short version: depth pays where speed lives. If your riding looks like Gumwall Speedway or the Velodrome, go deep. If it looks like Pikes Peak, stay shallow.
Full disclosure since you will notice anyway: in the game, wheel depth is currently cosmetic. Your legs supply the aero. All depths render on your bike, and if enough riders want depth to change the physics, the request a feature button is in the corner!