How We Score
From datasheets to your personal fit.
The method behind Find My Fit: published specifications, your riding priorities, and clear limits on budget, brands and setup.
A comparison model, not a riding test.
Our four criteria turn published specifications into a consistent comparison. Aero and handling are geometry estimates. A higher fit score describes a closer match to your selected priorities; it does not promise more speed, comfort or control.
The examples below use the same model values as Find My Fit. Product pages describe technical properties without an overall score. Your personal balance weights the four criteria, then the calculation rounds the total to a whole fit point. Neither display implies measured performance precision.
Raw Specs
Published specs become four comparison values.
A datasheet tells you what a wheelset is made of. Our model translates those specs into the same four criteria you see in Find My Fit: Aero profile, Low weight, Tyre versatility and Handling profile. These values describe the model’s inputs to your personal fit, not a separate product rating.
Zipp 303 Firecrest - from specs to model values
Aero profileRim depth as a proxy for sustained speed.
Straight-line interpolation between depth reference points. 24 mm scores 22, 40 mm scores 60, 60 mm scores 88, 85 mm scores 100. The result is rounded to a whole model value and held at the endpoint beyond this range.
Low weightThe manufacturer's claimed weight for the pair.
1,100 g scores 100. 1,700 g scores 30. Straight line between them. Values outside this range stay at 100 or 30. This is a comparison of published pair weight, not a measurement of rotating inertia.
Tyre versatilityInner rim width, and the range of tyre widths the manufacturer approves.
A base of 40, plus up to 40 for inner rim width on a ramp from 19 mm to 25 mm, plus up to 14 for published tyre-width headroom on a ramp from 28 mm to 40 mm of maximum tyre, plus up to 6 for a low minimum tyre on a ramp from 30 mm down to 23 mm.
Handling profileRim depth and outer rim width.
An inverse depth curve - 24 mm scores 100, 40 mm scores 82, 60 mm scores 52, 85 mm scores 16 - plus up to 18 points for outer rim width, on a linear ramp from 26 mm to 33 mm.
These are the same four criteria shown in Your Personal Balance and Why this match. Product pages show the underlying specifications. Personal fit points in Find My Fit and the Wheelset Explorer use this shared model.
Fit Scores are based on published wheelset specifications. They help compare trade-offs and fit, but do not replace lab testing, wind-tunnel data, or real-world ride impressions.
The depth trade-off: More depth raises the model’s aero estimate and lowers its handling estimate. These are linked readings of geometry, not two independent test results. They help identify a trade-off to investigate; they do not establish actual drag or steering behaviour.
Your rides
Your rides set the starting balance.
Everyday and fast rides start from the allround profile; fast rides add more aero and weight emphasis. Long-distance rides start from the endurance profile. Terrain then shifts the balance: flatter routes favour aero, long climbs favour lower weight and handling.
The three riding styles
These examples use rolling hills and no extra priorities. Each chart is generated from the same calculation used in Find My Fit.
Everyday & mixed ridesA balanced starting point.
Fast rides & racingMore emphasis on aero and low weight.
Long-distance ridesMore emphasis on tyre options and handling.
What terrain changes
These examples keep Everyday & mixed rides selected and change only the terrain. Percentages are rounded to add up to 100%.
Mostly flatMore influence for aero.
Rolling hillsA mixed profile with repeated changes in pace.
Long climbsMore influence for weight and handling.
Your priorities
The outcome you want shapes the weighting.
Choose up to two priorities, or keep the starting balance. These choices change how much each criterion contributes. They do not exclude wheelsets.
Hold speed with less effortIncreases the influence of the aero profile. Rim depth is a proxy; it does not measure drag or a speed gain.A more responsive rideIncreases the influence of published pair weight. Weight alone does not prove agility or quicker acceleration.More comfort on the roadIncreases the influence of tyre setup options. Actual comfort also depends on tyre, pressure and load.
Confidence in crosswindsIncreases the influence of the handling profile. There is no additional hidden wind penalty in this flow.How the percentages are calculated
With one priority, the use-case baseline keeps 68% of its influence and the chosen axis receives the remaining 32%. With two priorities, the baseline keeps 52%, with 24% assigned to each selected axis. Riding-style and terrain adjustments are then applied and the weights normalised. Each criterion retains at least 3%.
These are editorial rules. The sidebar shows the resulting personal balance; budget, brand appeal and service options do not buy extra points.
Budget, brands & setup
Your limits define what can be recommended.
First choose your maximum budget, then your preferred brands. Setup and ownership requirements narrow the selection further. They do not change your riding weights.
Maximum budgetA stated maximum budget is firm. Every lower-priced option stays eligible. We use the saved market-price observation where available, otherwise the manufacturer price. These are not live offers.Selected brands onlyChoose one or more brands and only those brands remain. Leave the selection open to compare the whole market. There is no brand bonus and no automatic fallback to other brands.Tyre & rim setupFront and rear tyre widths are checked against the published range. A hooked/hookless preference filters rim construction. Exact tyre-model and pressure approval still need checking.Weight & aftercareTotal system weight means you, bike, clothing and luggage. A known load limit below your total excludes the wheelset; an unpublished limit remains unverified. Warranty, crash replacement, spokes and bearings act as requirements, not performance points.Every model in the catalogue is currently available for recommendations. If the published figures for a model conflict, it stays visible in the catalogue but is not ranked until they are clarified. Find My Fit identifies this difference instead of treating unverified data as a recommendation.
Your results
A leading match, with reasons to compare.
Each model value is multiplied by its share in your personal balance. We add the four contributions and round the total to a whole fit point. For example, an axis value of 80 with a 25% share contributes 20 points. Small score differences are not evidence of better performance.
Zipp 303 Firecrest: how the points add up
Example answers: Mostly flat + Everyday & mixed rides, with Hold speed with less effort and Confidence in crosswinds selected. This is an illustration, not your saved result.
| Criterion | Model value | Share | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aero profile | 60 | 45.7% | 27.4 |
| Low weight | 64 | 7.8% | 5.0 |
| Tyre versatility | 94 | 8.2% | 7.7 |
| Handling profile | 92 | 38.2% | 35.2 |
| Total, rounded once | 75 | ||
The unrounded total is 75.35, giving 75 fit points. Shares and contributions above are displayed to one decimal place; the calculation uses the full values. A different personal balance changes this total. Budget, brands and setup determine whether the wheelset is eligible, without adding points.
Why the best match does not need 100 points. 100 is a theoretical ceiling: every criterion would need its maximum model value. Deeper rims raise the aero estimate but lower the handling estimate; no wheelset in the catalogue achieves both maxima. We do not rescale the best available match to 100. A score of 76 is not 76% performance, quality or improvement.
Highest personal fit
The leading match has the highest model fit within your budget, brands and setup; price only breaks ties between the displayed whole-point scores.
Every candidate, ranked
Candidates are ordered by fit points, with lower prices first when whole-point scores are equal. The cards start with the highest-ranked choices. Equivalent bearing variants can share one card, so you can compare another wheelset alongside them. Choosing a bearing option updates its price, original rank and product links; it adds no fit points. Expand the table for the full ranking, including each grouped variant separately. Card headings highlight differences between the choices shown.
Shortlist & Visualizer
Open the Wheelset Explorer with every eligible wheelset and compare up to three in detail. Keep favourites in your Shortlist, then use the Visualizer to compare two looks on a frame. The Visualizer shows specifications, not a second set of fit scores. Your answers stay saved when you return.
The result cards show each criterion’s model value, your weighting and its contribution. Axles, freehub, rotors, exact tyre approval and manufacturer load conditions still require a final check. A model fit is not proof of an upgrade over your existing wheels.
No brand pays for placement. The score is the score.
We apply the same model to every eligible wheelset. Price and brand reputation add no fit points. Manufacturer specifications are inputs; model curves and personal weightings are our editorial choices.
Ready to find your match?
Turn your riding needs into a comparison you can explain.