Aero wheel upgrade help needed

I’m finally at a point of upgrading from the factory wheel that came with my bike to some entry level aero wheels(staying around the $1,000 price range).

I could really use some help/advice

Below are the wheel sets that I am considering(along with current price)

HED Jet 6 Plus Carbon Road Wheelset(3)-$899.99
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/...fr-clincher-wheelset

HED Jet RC6/9 Plus Wheelset-$1,050
https://mybikeshop.com/products/hed-jet-rc6-9-plus-wheelset.html

Flo Aluminum + Carbon 60/90-$948
https://flocycling.com/products/flo-60-aluminum-carbo

A little bit of background
-The bike is a Specialized Tarmac Apex Mid Compact w/ some aero upgrades

-Most of my riding and racing is in Texas; some terrain is rolling hills, but most is flat with winds coming off the Gulf of Mexico

-My main race distance is 70.3

Any advice is much appreciated!!

I would just get the Hed Jet 6 Plus. They are fast wheels and are the cheapest option. If you want a deeper rear wheel for race day just get a wheel cover to convert it to a disk.

Between those, I would purchase primary based on looks. What is the best looking on a Tsrmac, 60/60 or 60/90?

I am a HED fanboy, but I also love my FLO wheels before the HEDs.

Value: Hed jet 6/6

What I’d get: Hed jet 6/9
.

I would just get the Hed Jet 6 Plus. They are fast wheels and are the cheapest option. If you want a deeper rear wheel for race day just get a wheel cover to convert it to a disk.
x2. In my opinion based on experience, a rear 9 is no man’s land.

I too went through this dilemma and landed on the HED Jet Plus 6/9 disc, picking them up lightly used off eBay for about 40% less than your link. I live in DFW and first ride was sustained winds of 22mph gusting to 35, just another spring day in TX 😉, and while challenging I avg’d 18mph for 60+ miles. Just an average Joe on 50 y/o legs. Wheel set was very stable, and fast, except for a couple of side gusts but I didn’t feel in danger at all. Hope that helps and all my best with your races.

H4L

Between those, I would purchase primary based on looks. What is the best looking on a Tsrmac, 60/60 or 60/90?

I am a HED fanboy, but I also love my FLO wheels before the HEDs.

I had staggered set up before. 90 in the back and 60 front but it didn’t look good. 60mm in both front and back looks much better.

I like the way a 60 in the front and a 90 in the rear looks.

I too went through this dilemma and landed on the HED Jet Plus 6/9 disc, picking them up lightly used off eBay for about 40% less than your link. I live in DFW and first ride was sustained winds of 22mph gusting to 35, just another spring day in TX 😉, and while challenging I avg’d 18mph for 60+ miles. Just an average Joe on 50 y/o legs. Wheel set was very stable, and fast, except for a couple of side gusts but I didn’t feel in danger at all. Hope that helps and all my best with your races.

H4L

This is exactly why he should get the 6/6. Any theoretical, tunnel-tested speed gains from the 9, are likely offset by those side gusts where you do lose some stability and speed. You too would benefit from the 6/6 especially in DFW area wheee wind is very prevalent. At least, that’s my opinion.

I had staggered set up before. 90 in the back and 60 front but it didn’t look good. 60mm in both front and back looks much better.That is my preferred look on a road bike too. I think not all deep and matching is strong. And, there is not a huge difference between a 60 and a 90 on the back.

Now on a TT bike, I like the look of a 90 in front no matter what. I started my TT bike on a 60/90, and I upgraded to a 90 up front largely for the looks.

A larger rear wheel feels more stable.