I thought it might be fun to dive into another area that is sure to generate some lively discussions.
What does everyone think about using aero wheel covers ($85 at wheelbuilders.com) instead of selling my first born for a full aero disc wheel from Zipp (or the like)? Reviews from those that have used the wheel covers (noise, moisture buildup inside cover, etc.)
everyone thinks its a great idea.
you give away almost no time at all. the only real downside is it is usually a bit heavier.
in fact, Hed’s JET disc, is a wheel with a (lighter) cover on it.
I like the disc for no other reason than it sounds cool.
I’m sure there are a lot of more scientific reasons, but nothing beats the whump-whump of a disc.
Trust me, I know that sound. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you are about to be passed without even turning your head.
the cover won’t make that sound, just fyi
Trust me, I know that sound. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you are about to be passed without even turning your head.
Yeah, but I could make it as I’m closing in on the unsuspecting guy in front of me…
The most recent tri I did was the first time I’d ever used one. Most of the time I couldn’t hear it but every time I went by a building close enough, the echo reached my ears. It took me a while to realize that the person making that sound wasn’t someone coming up behind me, but me.
The most recent tri I did was the first time I’d ever used one. Most of the time I couldn’t hear it but every time I went by a building close enough, the echo reached my ears. It took me a while to realize that the person making that sound wasn’t someone coming up behind me, but me.
Wait until you get to ride under a bridge or overpass or through a short tunnel. Then they sound REALLY cool and you can actually hear your own wheel. But yes, the cool whump whump sound is lost on the rider as you can’t really hear it too well.
Covers are great, if in fact they fit your wheel like they’re advertised to. Mine doesn’t, and it annoys me.
this is a good point
there are fitment issues on some wheels
might poll the ST to check for wheels that work well
Covers are great, if in fact they fit your wheel like they’re advertised to. Mine doesn’t, and it annoys me.
I have a wheel cover and think it’s great. Was a lot better then spending the $ for a disk and it turned my PT into an even better training tool. Fits perfect.
+1 for the wheel covers. Fits great, plus you can true the wheel if it goes out of whack, or put the cover on another wheel altogether if you have some kind of mishap.
I have a disc but am considering buying a wheel cover for my PT open pro to race Lake Placid this year. Used HED3s last year and they were fine but I’m hoping that a more controlled burn on the bike using the PT will give me a better run split. I’ll very very interested in the posts to this thread…
I’ll give two thumbs up for covers. Good advice is not to custom cut them yourself however. I did that for a Hed Jet 60 once and it looked like a home done job. Never had any fitting issues or problems.
sigh… I miss that sound. seriously, it’s almost worth the $$$ just for the sound. Fortunately, not that many people pass me and my wheelcovers, so I am coping.
I really miss the expression on people’s faces when you down shift a gear under load while passing them up an incline. whup-whup-whup-BAM-whupwhupwhupwhup.
this is a good point
there are fitment issues on some wheels
might poll the ST to check for wheels that work well
Covers are great, if in fact they fit your wheel like they’re advertised to. Mine doesn’t, and it annoys me.
Wheelbuilder cover on a Velocity Deep V rim fits very nicely, and makes for a very economical wheel. Also fits on my old Rolf Vector Comp as an added bonus - slightly lighter, and it can now be a dedicated race wheel.
But alas, the only distinctive noise it makes is when you go over a bump, and it sounds like you’ve dropped an armload of Tupperware.
Trust me, I know that sound. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you are about to be passed without even turning your head.
Those disk wheels make the identical sound when going backwards too. 
Get the cover. Save the $ for something else that will improve your bike split even more:
PM
aerohelmet
proper fitting
fast tires and tubes
sigh… I miss that sound. seriously, it’s almost worth the $$$ just for the sound. Fortunately, not that many people pass me and my wheelcovers, so I am coping.
I really miss the expression on people’s faces when you down shift a gear under load while passing them up an incline. whup-whup-whup-BAM-whupwhupwhupwhup.
My 808 does the same thing when I’m crit racing and change up to attack. Obviously that’s not so helpful as it may as well sound like:
whup-whup-whup-EVERYONE-I’M-ATTACKING-whupwhupwhupwhup
In reno a TT course record was just set on a disc cover. I know it’s the rider and not the wheel, but I think that’s pretty sweet :). Many others had zipp discs.
Like someone else said, get the disc cover then spend the money on something else to make u faster or just save it.
How much difference do tires and tubes make? Just kind of interested. Are we talking minutes over say a 1/2 Ironman or seconds? Or would you look at it more from an energy saving perspective?
Thanks