Alps, H3, 404, or 808

Triathlon Forum
1

My current race wheel setup is a HED Alps in front and an H3 in back. I love this wheel combo for olympic races, but find it cumbersome (not as smooth as my Gipiemme 716C) for 1/2 IM and my long rides getting ready for IMFL.

I’ve narrowed my search to putting either:
A) another Alps in back
B) another H3 in front
C) set of Zipp 404

My short term goal is IMFL, in which case I’d get an H3 for the front; but next year I’ll be doing IMCDA and the 404 or another Alps makes more sense.

What’s the trade-off with an Alps vs. 404? Will a set of H3 be just as good as a set of 404 or Alps on a course like IMCDA?

2

What kind of bike is it?

3

zipp 808 front

CH Aero Disc Cover in back

this gives you a super aero option on a quasi budget
.

4

Set of Zipp 606’s…perfect for all race distances. That’s what I just bought.

5

What are you looking to accomplish with your options A, B, and C? What do you mean when you say that your current Alps/H3 setup is cumbersome? That really is a fast setup, and pretty common too. If you want the fastest setup possible for IMFL, you’d want an H3 or 808 in front and a disc in the rear. Even then, it’s not going to be a big difference from your current setup. I did a local TT where the second place guy got 54:20 with some 50mm deep Mavic Carbones (the older plastic ones). I was third at 55:37 with my 404/disc. It’s all about the engine, as I’m sure you’ve heard before.

I guess I just don’t understand your criteria for upgrading wheels. We need some specifics- what don’t you like about your current setup, what you plan to gain with each of your potential options, and what is your budget? Things like that.

6

What’s the trade-off with an Alps vs. 404? Will a set of H3 be just as good as a set of 404 or Alps on a course like IMCDA?

The HED3 is as good as 404 or Alps. If there is a small differnece you won’t feel it.

I have a set of HED Alps. When I look at my HED Alps I wonder how someone can pay double that price for a Zipp that is about the same.

Felix

7

I wonder how someone can pay double that price for a Zipp that is about the same.

Because they can afford too…

8

I’m thinking of buyinig a set of 404 rims and building them up on Chris King hubs that I already have. A set of 404 rims is cheaper than a Stinger wheelset (but not by much).

If Hed would sell Stinger rims alone then I would consider them.

Another consideration would be the crash replacement cost of 404 v. Stinger rims. I have an idea what the cost is for 404 rims but no idea about Hed’s.