davidalone wrote:
you are overthinking weight. you came here asking for advice, and we are telling you that weight does not matter so much. the general agreement on this site is that Aero+Crr > weight.
Unless your course is something like 5% average (estimates range from 4-6%) , the science points toward aero trumping weight. This has been simulated to death with a variety of mathematical models. How many Tri and TT Courses do you have averaging 5%? For reference- most of the mountains you see in the TDF average around 7-8%
Merida has done the math. for a totally flat course, a weight difference of 2kg would gain you a 0.05km/h speed advantage. thats 50 meters for TWO WHOLE KILOS over 120km.
Swiss Side has also done the math. over 120km with an elevation gain of 1200m, riding at 30kph, a 100g weight savings would save you 3 seconds. for a 40k TT, this translates to less than a second per 100g. The aero gain you'd get from that would be far more significant.
My mechanic is a former pro cyclist. According to him, they don't primarily take shallow wheels in the mountains because they 'climb better'. Yes, they climb steeper mountains than most of us, but They take them because the deep wheels get difficult to manage during windy descents in the mountain valleys. So I don't believe the spiel that 'light wheels climb better'
Yes, the right tyre choice has absolutely a larger impact than wheel choice. choosing the right tyre width for the right tyre and tyre pressure matters as well.
I have a RON Wheel. it's decent for the money and have great customer service. Long term durability remains to be seen though.
Shame that VAT takes away many of the good deals available. HED 6/9 combo would not be a bad deal. yes the disc would be faster but not by much, the question is how much is that worth to you.
Hi !
I perfectly understand that total weight does not really matter versus cda/crr. Thats why I will follow the general opinion and go for the hed 6/9 combo I saw near me.
But the weight you're talking about in on the wheels, and 2kg wheels feel like shit. The course is far from 5% average, but you have to take up speed a huge number of times, and I can't imagine pushing those 2.2 kg wheels up to speed even before having to brake again. I mean, that(s a 60mm front wheel that weight 1000g.
The VAT takes away the jet 6 + deals, but the 6/9 combo is a set of second hand wheels near me so I can get them ( and most likely will)