Nick_Barkley wrote:
You're most likely giving up about 40s or so over an IM. I got the 808 fc cc front over the 404 because it was much cheaper. For instance, you could pick up one on the classifieds section for $750. For me, it does not make sense to go with anything other than a wheel cover for the rear.
The carbon clincher design is mostly about mating the brake track with the tire which can save an additional 2 watts.
I would never in a million years, regardless of what kind of money I make, pay that kind of money for a wheel. The most I would ever pay/do is get a Powertap rear, cover, and Flo 60 front. The savings going with anything more expensive is negligible enough for me that I wouldn't even consider it. It's the same when talking about bikes too. I have the the 2012 SC 7.5... I wouldn't consider getting the newer "better" version unless something happened to my bike... the savings are just not worth the spending.
A great example is Ultegra vs Dura Ace... what are you really getting for that massive price increase? Not a whole lot... better marketing and the satisfaction that you have the top tier stuff. That's it to me.
Good on ya if you want to spend the coin but it just doesn't seem financially logical to me.