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Aero/wheel strategy for hilly tris
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Given my love of hills and a favorable power:weight ratio, I enjoy HIM and IM distance tris with a bit more climbing than most

For example: Sea-to-Summit, SavageMan, IMLOU, and I'm doing IMMT this year (granted not as hilly, but it worked with my schedule) -- and occasionally a local race w/rolling terrain

This climbing and a road bike background motivated my purchase of an aero road Fuji Transonic, to which I've added bolt-on aerobars. Stock wheels I raced on last year are Oval Concepts 950F carbon/alum (50mm deep), which I realize are unimpressive.

I am not heavy, with race weight 130-132lbs.

How would you optimize for speed/aero given these constraints? I am thinking of doing a Zipp 808 in the rear and 404 up front. I have no experience with carbon wheels; climbing can also imply some pretty serious descents. Should I be concerned about braking performance? and/or cross-wind effects given my light weight? Thanks so much!
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Re: Aero/wheel strategy for hilly tris [westandrew] [ In reply to ]
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unless it's wet? braking should be fine

as for winds.. the 404 overall if not great at handing winds... you will probably feel it. But I dont know you threshold so it's hard to say if you can handle it. I'm heavier (alot) and I only dont like a deep wheel in areas where I can get surprised by it. Like in between canyons, hills, mountains where you can get hit suddenly.
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Re: Aero/wheel strategy for hilly tris [westandrew] [ In reply to ]
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When in doubt go shallow up front. I’d strongly suggest looking at the Jet Black 4 front 9 rear combo. Very versatile.
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Re: Aero/wheel strategy for hilly tris [westandrew] [ In reply to ]
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If you like racing hills, I HIGHLY recommend aluminum brake track wheels. And, in general, deeper is always better, but YMMV.

I started out with full carbon 60mm front & 90mm rear. I got the shallower front wheel because I was nervous about handling. Turned out, that was a non-issue for me. But, I do not know how much that would matter for lighter people.

I rode my carbon clincher wheels on my TT bike on a century with 12K feet of climbing. My hands were exhausted from the braking. Even on a moderately hilly HIM with just 4,400 feet of climbing, the braking made my hands tired.

I upgraded to 90mm/disc HED Jet Black 9/Disc wheels for this year. Per above, no issues at all with handling. They are my everyday wheels. Braking is magic. Even in the wet, brakes feel like dry.
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