Anyone have good experience with 808’s vs Hed deep dish wheels?
Wanting to pull the trigger on a new race set-up…but wondering if the price premium for the 808’s is worth it.
I have a Hed Jet 9 rear wheel, Jet 6 front wheel, very happy with both of them, and at half the cost of Zipp.
I have a HED Stinger 6/9 combo, FWIW I think that it’s pretty hard to argue that the 808 is faster than the Stinger 9 from an aerodynamics perspective. Sure the Stinger 9 is not dimpled, but it is slightly deeper, if you would believe HEDs data the the 808 (tubie) and the Stinger 9 are very comparable for most yaw angles with the Stinger 9 being quite a bit faster in the 12-17deg range.
This debate goes on here all of the time, and I won’t argue that Zipps are probably more extensively tested, have better hubs or may even be more durable. Other than the price, I really can’t say anything bad about Zipps.
That being said there aren’t a whole lot of people around here who have HEDs and don’t have good things to say about them.
While presently pissed off at the recent about face by Zipp about the safety of all carbon clinchers I can only say great things about my 808’s. I got them as racing wheels but they never come off except to get into the car for a race. Why train with a crappy training wheel when you have such a great overall wheel? Even with the 18/20 spoke configuration on the 2009’s and newer they are very strong and solid. They also happen to ride well. Did I mention that they were fast?
Having said that I don’t know anything about the HED’s.
I’ve had both in the last year. I prefer HED stingers above all other wheels. I haven’t checked the weight, but they feel lighter and spin up more easily on the bike, and seem to have a better ride. All subjective, I know, but you asked for opinions.
If manufacturer web sites are to be believed the Stinger 9 front is lighter.
Stinger 9 672g
808 691g
No experience with HED with the exception of aero bars (which were replaced by Zipp this year).
I have the following
Zipp Disc
Zipp 404 set
Zipp 808 rear
Zipp 1080 rear
Zipp 1080 set (Zed Tec)
I have to say that Zipp customer service is fantastic… They are great to our customers and have great support. Just my two cents
You cannot go wrong with the Stinger 9. I have been running both the Jet and Stinger 9 front. When it comes to a deep dish wheel that can take on a higher yaw attack, the Hed wheel wins out. The Zipp is a good wheel but in the end the Hed wins out. Enjoy!