Ok… I know this is bound to be a hot button question… but here we go.
As many here on ST point out, Zipp is no longer the only game in town when it comes to deep section wheels. I am looking to acquire a pair in the next few months (provided I have stable employment… stupid economy). These will be for road racing, specifically road, circuit, and crit events. So, for wheels of the ‘404’ nature (~60 mm or so), there are now tons of options. I’m looking for something (used, clincher). About 50% of races around here involve some significant climbing, so weight under 1700 is a plus, but not required (I’ve got semi-aero lightweight aluminum rims already) We’ve got:
Ideally we’d be talking in the $500 range (again, used). Sounds crazy, but I did see a set of Real-Design up on the local Craigslist a couple months back (which I’m kicking myself for not picking up).
I have been in this too long because it wasn’t that long ago (think 2004) when aerowheels were about 1/2 the price. I remember thinking that $1000 for a set of Zipp 404’s was ridiculous and then buying a set for less than half on ebay. Now the “budget” wheels are $1000. That said, I don’t notice a difference between my cheap zipps and the new expensive wheels. The difference between older zipps and newer ones isn’t going to create a noticeable difference except in your wallet.
I think the best bargain is to go on ebay and buy any set of zipps that doesn’t have the current stickers on it. If you buy them with the newest decals they seem to cost more than twice as much—I checked a month ago and found quite a few sets for around $400-$600 and used wheels with new stickers cost $1000+.
The Renn aero wheels are also a pretty good deal for $800-$900
Anyone have experience using the Planet-X 50’s in road racing? Are they up to par for this? Looks like the best deal around as far as deep sections go.
I am in the same boat. Neuvation wheels look pretty affordable, although I don’t know much about them. And I want to be able to put the Powertap I am riding in the rear wheel.
I have been riding fairly deep (33 mm) Spinergy Stealths in many road races, crits, and triathlons for the past six years. I am happy with them (but the rear won’t take my PT).
Toroidal wheels work. Being deep is about 1/3 of the aero battle these days it seems. The other 1/3 is shape. The final 1/3 is tire selection.
All three of the above effect each other. Tire selection depends on rim shape. Wheel depth can effect the necessary shape. Some wheels are faster with a 21mm, but negligibly so, such that running a 23mm is worth it.
How much does deep matter v. shape? Well Zipp’s data shows that a Planet X 101 with a 21mm tire is faster than the older 404 but slower than the 808 by quite a bit.
A good budget wheel is probably anything that uses the Zipp/Hed patented shape. I think $500 is a little low, but $750 is probably realistic. Hed Jet 60s can be had for about that.
The best wheels in the value race is the self-built route. Buy a set of unbranded carbon hoops (which are the exact same rims used by all the “bargain” brands, such as Williams, Neuvation, etc.), a lightweight set of hubs, and Sapim CX Ray spokes, build them yourself… and you have a brand new set of wheels, under $500, and way lighter than what Williams/Neuvation/etc. uses because you chose lighter hubs and better spokes.
Or pay $2000 extra for a set of Zipps that in the long run, will save you only a few seconds over the course of a race.
Over the past few years I’ve ridden, HED Jet90, HED Stinger 50, Zipp 440, ZIpp404, Zipp 330, PX 101/82, Blackwell 100 and a few I’ve forgotten about : )
I “feel” that the PX 101/82 is by far the best value in a wheelset. All the shapes and dimples, etc, mean time savings, but for the average guy the difference is not significant. I’ll save the $1,000 and take the PX wheels all day long. A PX 101/82 set is $650!!!
I have the PX 82 front for sale and I’m replacing it with a PX 101 to match my rear PX 101.
I agree with this though I, personally, don’t have the skillset (read: patience) or tools (dishing tool, tensiometer, or even a truing stand) to build up a pair. Don’t think most folks have that either. And, hiring a wheelbuilder can be costly (~$100 or so) depending on how well you know the guy.
I don’t mind paying a little more and buying a company’s product. Usually, you get some sort of satisfaction knowing that, if something were to go wrong or there was a warranty issue, then you could get it resolved or replaced fairly quickly. But, yeah, if you can build it and have the experience to do it right, then go for it and save some cash.
My current race wheels are American Classic Victory 30’s. They’re cheap ($400 on the team deal, $600 retail), 30mm rim depth, and light for the price (1600g). My unscientific personal test on my benchmark rolling hills course is that they add about 0.9 mph over my standard 23mm deep box rims. I bought them as a ‘bridge’ until I could afford full on deeper wheels. I’m not quite there yet, but anticipate being able to do so in winter or early next season.
I currently have team deals with American Classic, Zipp, and Mavic, but am looking to spend a little less. Used is not an issue. I’m intrigued by the Hed Jets, but it looks like the Stingers offer a little better performance and weight (but of course more expensive…).
… ding, ding, ding! I think we have a winner. Real-Designs has a new, reasonably affordable, line of carbon clincher rims under the model line “SuperSonic”. 50mm wheelset for $799… (etc.). Definitely worth the look.
Wheelcover, no question. Pair that with an older front wheel off craigslist/ebay and you are golden (ie Mavic Cosmic Carbone or Hed3). There is basically no setup that is more aero, and there certainly isn’t one that is much cheaper.
No cover for me… I’m primarily going to be using these for road races. I expect 3-4 TT’s per season during stage races. I’d love to use a cover for these… though I’m not sure they are USAC approved at the amateur level. I’ve heard some people say they’re not… and saw one in use at the last race I was at. Going to need more research on that.