How We Score
From datasheets to riding character.
ShowMyBike turns published wheelset specifications into five dimensions that describe how a wheelset actually rides, then matches those dimensions to the way you ride, the roads you ride on, and what matters most to you.
Raw Specs
Raw specs become a wheelset profile.
A datasheet tells you what a wheelset is made of. The Wheelset Profile translates those specs into the five things you actually feel on the bike.
Zipp 303 Firecrest - from specs to profile
WeightClimbing, acceleration, quick changes. Low weight changes how quickly the bike reacts.
1,100g scores 100 points. 1,700g scores 30 points. Linear scale between those anchors. No secondary modifiers - the number speaks for itself.
AeroSustained speed and efficiency. Rim depth and tire integration shape how well a wheelset holds speed.
Rim depth as the main driver. 25mm scores around 25 points, 50mm around 72, 60mm around 82, 70mm around 88, 80mm and above around 92. The curve is smooth with no hard jumps. Wide outer rims paired with wide tires add up to 5 points. Narrow outer rims lose up to 5 points.
ComfortTire support, rough roads, long days. Inner rim width and tire range show usable volume.
Inner width as the base. Under 19mm scores around 50 points, rising to around 85 points above 25mm. A maximum tire width of at least 32mm adds 5 points, and at least 40mm adds another 5. Very deep rims still reduce comfort slightly. Carbon spokes receive a small comfort adjustment of minus 3 points because they can transmit more road vibration. Mixed steel and carbon spoke builds receive minus 1 point. Hookless rims no longer receive a blanket comfort penalty.
HandlingCrosswind stability and predictable steering. Calmness when conditions change.
Modern wide rims are treated more fairly through a 45 to 50mm sweet spot in the depth curve. Up to 50mm the handling score declines gently. Above 50mm crosswind sensitivity rises more clearly. Wider outer rims add stability points. Narrow rims lose points. Very light wheels receive a small handling benefit. Carbon spokes add 1 point for directness.
DurabilitySystem weight, service confidence, daily use. Real data points only, no estimates.
Maximum system weight as the base score. Spoke count, warranty length, crash replacement policy and ceramic bearings all contribute. Tubeless-ready adds 3 points. Light premium builds are not punished automatically - only true ultralight territory under 1,200g receives a caution adjustment.
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.
Ride Style
Ride style sets the base weights.
Your ride style determines how the five dimensions are weighted in your match score. A climber's ideal wheelset is fundamentally different from a flat-road sprinter's - the same five scores, weighted differently.
AllroundA bit of everything. No single dimension dominates.
ClimbingLightest possible. Weight and handling lead the match.
Aero/SpeedMaximum speed on flat roads. Aerodynamics above all.
EnduranceComfort and stability for the long haul. Durability matters.
Road Profile
Road profile adjusts the balance.
On top of your ride style, the terrain you ride on shifts the dimension weights further. Flat roads boost aero importance. Mountains boost weight and handling. Rolling hills sit in between.
Flat RoadsOpen roads where aerodynamic gain shows up early.
Open roads where aerodynamic gain shows up early.
Rolling HillsMixed terrain with repeated speed changes.
Mixed terrain with repeated speed changes.
MountainsLong climbs and descents. Weight and handling confidence.
Long climbs and descents. Weight and handling confidence.
Priorities & Extras
Priorities and extras fine-tune the ranking.
In Find My Fit, you select up to two priorities. Each priority shifts the dimension weights toward the axis it represents. The shift is meaningful but never erases the ride style foundation - priorities tune, they do not override.
With one priority selected, 32% of the final weight comes from the priority axis. With two priorities, 48% of the final weight is split between them. The remaining weight stays with the ride style baseline.
Extras - optional fine-tuning
Wind SensitivityAdds a handling penalty for deep rims in exposed terrain.
When enabled in Find My Fit, wind sensitivity applies a linear handling penalty to wheelsets with rim depth above 40mm. The formula: 0.5 points deducted from the handling score for every millimetre above 40mm. A 50mm rim loses 5 handling points. A 60mm rim loses 10. This makes the recommendation more conservative about deep-section wheels for riders who regularly face crosswinds.
Rider WeightChecks system weight limits and flags restrictions.
Your weight bracket helps identify wheelsets with insufficient system weight ratings. Wheelsets that cannot support your weight are flagged or deprioritized in recommendations.
Brand PreferenceSelected brands get a mild ranking boost. Scoring formulas stay untouched.
If you select preferred brands in Find My Fit, wheelsets from those brands receive a fixed bonus of 12 points added to their final match score. The scoring formulas themselves are unchanged - the same five dimension scores, the same weights. The bonus is a tiebreaker that favours brands you already trust, not a mechanism to override the technical match.
Results
The result is a ranked shortlist, not a black box.
The final Fit Score combines the wheelset profile, ride style, road profile, priorities, and extras into one sortable recommendation. The ranking still keeps the trade-offs visible, so a high score always comes with context.
Zipp 303 Firecrest
Strong durability, calm handling, and enough aero gain for mixed road riding.
Compare the trade-offs, open the catalog entry, or visualize the wheelset on your bike.
No brand pays for placement. The score is the score.
ShowMyBike scores are based on verified manufacturer specifications. No brand pays for enhanced visibility, placement, or scoring influence. Partner brands that provide product data and images are scored by the same formulas as every other wheelset in the catalog.
Ready to find your match?
Use Find My Fit to translate these scores into a shortlist built for the way you ride. Or browse the full catalog and compare raw specs directly.