I am weighing new wheel options for this season. For many reasons, I have decided that I will be running whatever I get as my sole wheels on my TT bike. No “trainers” and “racers” for me. For this reason I am hesitant to get a super deep rear wheel. I like the versatility of a slightly shallower set if they are being used on a daily basis. I am not completely opposed to something like a 60/90 set, but I am certainly leaning away from it. So, if I get myself the Hed Jet 60 C2 rear wheel with the powertap that I am hoping to find a great deal on - what front wheel do I get? I am operating under the assumption (one I believe is well grounded) that a deeper rear wheel than front wheel helps stabilize the handling as compared to a matched set. That would counsel me towards getting a slightly shallower front (Jet 50, Jet 40). But how big a difference does that make at these depths? How big a speed difference is there between a 40 or 50 front and a 60 front? I am shopping for the rear wheel first because I want that PT. If I get a 90, I will get a 60 front. But if I get a 60 (which I think I would prefer), what front would you get?
I have Real Design 60s on front and rear. Once the race season started last year I put them on and left them there. I’ll probably do the same this year. The only reason I’ll throw my training wheels on is if I know I’m hitting a rough road that day or it’s really windy.
get a wheel cover for race day
i would go slightly shallower for the front given the constraints you have created, but I think your constraints make no sense =)
I am weighing new wheel options for this season. For many reasons, I have decided that I will be running whatever I get as my sole wheels on my TT bike. No “trainers” and “racers” for me. For this reason I am hesitant to get a super deep rear wheel. I like the versatility of a slightly shallower set if they are being used on a daily basis. I am not completely opposed to something like a 60/90 set, but I am certainly leaning away from it. So, if I get myself the Hed Jet 60 C2 rear wheel with the powertap that I am hoping to find a great deal on - what front wheel do I get? I am operating under the assumption (one I believe is well grounded) that a deeper rear wheel than front wheel helps stabilize the handling as compared to a matched set. That would counsel me towards getting a slightly shallower front (Jet 50, Jet 40). But how big a difference does that make at these depths? How big a speed difference is there between a 40 or 50 front and a 60 front? I am shopping for the rear wheel first because I want that PT. If I get a 90, I will get a 60 front. But if I get a 60 (which I think I would prefer), what front would you get?
I will Jack, I promise.
Which constraint do you not like: wanting to train on the wheels I am going to race on - or - not wanting to train on a rear wheel deeper than 60?
a 90 front can be so much faster but running one every day would be kind of annoying (valve extenders etc)
you can probably find training wheels for FREE =)
I will Jack, I promise.
Which constraint do you not like: wanting to train on the wheels I am going to race on - or - not wanting to train on a rear wheel deeper than 60?
The way to look at the issue IMO is what is the fastest wheelset that you can comfortably handle.
Handling in the rear is no issue (i.e. a 50mm front causes more crosswind issues than a full disc in the rear). I used to train on a J-Disc back in the day with no issues. In the front, 90s are faster, but harder to handle. 50mm-60mm is as deep as I would recommend if you can only have one.
There is no stabilization factor from matching or not matching wheels, so don’t be afraid to go deep in back and let your weight and crosswind tolerance lead you to the right front wheel.
Why not just throw a training wheel on the front, which will be shallower than your 60 or 90 PT on back (plus you won’t wreck two carbon wheels possibly)? Then come race day, throw on the disc cover and put the front 60 or 90 on, that way you will always maintain your depth ratio. I know you don’t want training wheels, but its an options.
This is what I plan on doing with my 404’s and PT training wheel…throw the PT on the 404, buy a wheel cover and train with a standard front wheel and bare 404 PT rear. Come race day I’ll have a set of 404’s with PT and cover. This was the best solution I could come up with for training/racing versatility based on what is sitting in my garage.