PedalingHertz wrote:
I'm concerned about crosswinds with too deep a front wheel. It can get VERY windy here (except on Saturdays when I want to go kiteboarding, apparently). I don't want to get pushed around too hard. Is that a legitimate concern for a rider my weight?
Again, I really appreciate everyone's help. I welcome random shout outs to wheels you think would be good. I looked up the HEDs mentioned and like them so far!
Hello fellow Honoluluian! I run a Tarmac SL6 too and the HEDs would not be that good for 28c tires. If you put those tires on that wheel, it'll probably balloon up to 29-30mm wide and that'll violate the 105% rule. At that point, you might as well be running shallower rims because most of that aero gain of a deep wheel will be lost and you're just running a heavier wheelset.
https://blog.silca.cc/...ure-and-aerodynamics
Aero may not be as big of a deal if you're going with 28c tires but more than anything, running a tire that's too wide for the rim will adversely affect cornering/handling. So, if you want to run 28s, match it with some wide internal rim width rims. Your stock ones are actually pretty good with this regard. This shimanos with 17mm internal rim widths would have been pretty bad with 28s.
I run 28c tires, because like you mentioned, Oahu roads suck. Currently using Conti GP5000s, on these set of 50mm deep 25.5 internal wide wheels built by November and they're awesome.
https://novemberbicycles.com/...disc-chris-king-r45d
These kind of rims are the new generation optimized for 28c tires. Others include the Enve 4.5AR, Hunt 48 limitless, HED Vanquish, Light bicycle Falcon Pro WR50 or WR38
I just finished doing a crap ton of research in buying my wheels so it's fresh in my mind.
Handling crosswinds is a skill/practice thing. Went to Makapuu on those windy days last week with 25mph gusts on those 50 deep rims and was blown around but those wheels handled it really well. I'm about 140lbs so it should be even easier for you at 200lbs.