This thread will more than likely get very interesting so I'm going to post and sit back with popcorn and read the comments. Buckle up, here we go!
On an AMA thread with Jake Pantone of ENVE http://triroost.com/...5/ama-with-jake-enve
http://triroost.com/...ma-with-jake-enve/p3
There were some very interesting claims.
Jake@ENVE:
Good thread going on here. First, there is a time and a place for a solid rear disc wheel, triathlons are typically not it. If the course is super flat and fast and you'll be averaging around 28-30mph then there is an argument for a solid rear disc. However that is assuming the rear disc is question is the absolute best disc wheel on the market. I won't say which one that is, but you'll see it when we launch ours someday
. The 7.8 was developed specifically for ironman distance triathletes. It performs head a shoulders above the rest in the real world because unlike most deep wheels it wasn't optimized for 30mph which is standard in most aero testing. Optimizing the wheel for triathlon also means we prioritized stability in dynamic wind conditions over 30 mph aero efficiency. It's a win for everyone but the world's best time trialists and even then, the tradeoffs are minimal. We have put numerous time trial specialist on the top step of the podium who rode the 7.8 in a field full of solid rear disc wheels. Adding a disc cover will negatively impact the wheels efficiency. You'll also add weight which regardless of what has been said in the past about weight no mattering much, it's still a factor. Also, disc cover will hurt stability of the bike/wheel system.
Finally, and I alluded to this earlier. In our testing, the 7.8 out performs virtually all but one disc wheel on the market. That Z brand wheel is fast, but again, it's for time trialing. We will make a disc wheel, but it's our hope we only see it used for professional time trialing and the occasional olympic or sprint distance tri on a fast course.
Slowtwitch, what are your thoughts? Myself, I loved my Zipp Super 9 and 808 and I don't believe ENVE.
Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/
On an AMA thread with Jake Pantone of ENVE http://triroost.com/...5/ama-with-jake-enve
http://triroost.com/...ma-with-jake-enve/p3
There were some very interesting claims.
Jake@ENVE:
Good thread going on here. First, there is a time and a place for a solid rear disc wheel, triathlons are typically not it. If the course is super flat and fast and you'll be averaging around 28-30mph then there is an argument for a solid rear disc. However that is assuming the rear disc is question is the absolute best disc wheel on the market. I won't say which one that is, but you'll see it when we launch ours someday
. The 7.8 was developed specifically for ironman distance triathletes. It performs head a shoulders above the rest in the real world because unlike most deep wheels it wasn't optimized for 30mph which is standard in most aero testing. Optimizing the wheel for triathlon also means we prioritized stability in dynamic wind conditions over 30 mph aero efficiency. It's a win for everyone but the world's best time trialists and even then, the tradeoffs are minimal. We have put numerous time trial specialist on the top step of the podium who rode the 7.8 in a field full of solid rear disc wheels. Adding a disc cover will negatively impact the wheels efficiency. You'll also add weight which regardless of what has been said in the past about weight no mattering much, it's still a factor. Also, disc cover will hurt stability of the bike/wheel system. Finally, and I alluded to this earlier. In our testing, the 7.8 out performs virtually all but one disc wheel on the market. That Z brand wheel is fast, but again, it's for time trialing. We will make a disc wheel, but it's our hope we only see it used for professional time trialing and the occasional olympic or sprint distance tri on a fast course.
Slowtwitch, what are your thoughts? Myself, I loved my Zipp Super 9 and 808 and I don't believe ENVE.
Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/
