Looking for everyone’s thoughts on the best race wheels for bigger riders. I’ve been looking at HED3 wheels…
HED 3s are nice and should hold up to the weight. I personally like all Mavic wheels and at 215 have never had an issue, and even road them heavier. I have a pair of Ksyrium ES wheels and also Cosmic Carbone SL Premiums. Never an issue with either. The Carbone’s aren’t the lightest wheels on the block. But they have hit many a pothole and are still as true as the day I got them.
I really like Mavic wheels, too. I have a set of equippes on my road bike and they’re solid and fast.
How’s the ride of the HED3 wheels compared to the Mavic’s?
The HED3 is supposedly one of the toughest, most bombproof wheels out there.
Zipp also makes many of their wheels available in a clydesdale form.
Either ought to do you just fine.
In addition to the Zipp Clydesdales, HED has a statement on their Jets page mentioning the option of additional spokes for heavier riders as well. I think you will need to order by phone though as this is doesn’t seem to be an option on their online store.
In reply to —
How’s the ride of the HED3 wheels compared to the Mavic’s?
I test rode the HED 3s for a few days and didn’t really see a problem with them and liked them. The main reason I went with the Mavic’s is in the end the Carbone was a more all-around wheel that I could ride pretty much all the time. Plus I am kind of a classic guy that finds it tough to get past a wheel not being able to be trued (I know it isn’t supposed to matter). And also that they aren’t perfectly round, although it didn’t seem to effect the ride quality. So I think both are great wheels, I just reverted to the tried and true Mavic’s. The Zipp Clydesdale wheel is great also, I just saw no basis for the $900 a pair incremental price difference. Might be worth it to some, but not me.
Well, I can’t speak for Mavics but I can say that they have a reputation for being bomb proof. You can also score a good deal on some of the Cosmic Carbones since they started making the new model. If you’ve been particularly pleased with your equippes, that might not be a bad idea.
The HED3’s however I can comment on. I have had a pair for almost 2 years now and they’re great. I have the HED3 tubular (the one with the aluminum outer rim). They are, as people have said, extremely durable. I’ve trained on them for long periods of time, raced on them, bumped them around etc. etc. Really a great set of wheels that can take a beating. My only complaint is that they are a bit stiff so they’re not a great all around wheel. I prefer spoked wheels for training, but don’t mind the stiffness for racing. Plus, not sure if this matters to you, they have add a very dramatic element to your bike. They really stand out and you’ll get your fair share of stares and “sweet wheels” comments at races. And if you ever get a disc in the future, the HED3 front/Disc rear combo is supposed to be one of the most aero setups possible (besides 2 discs).
Also, if you decide to get tubulars… DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT ride any distance on them if you get a flat. A lot of people told me that a benefit of having tubulars was that you could coast through the end of a race if you had a flat since the tire was still attached. True… except it will mess up the gluing surface. I learned the hard way.
like khai said, zipp makes a clydesdale version of the 404. i have a buddy who has the cyclocross version:
and he swears that they’re bombproof. that said, the H3 is a great all-around wheel. try to test ride them both and see which ones you prefer.
Are the HED 3 wheels designed for high or low wind conditions? Not sure how they stand up to strong crosswinds…
Also looking at some of HED’s JET 60/90 wheels (built up for heavier riders). What are the advantages of JET vs. HED 3 wheels? Thanks again for your thoughts!
I’ve never had any problems with them in the wind unless it was VERY windy (i.e. so windy I wouldn’t even use my training wheels). Considering that you said you’re 220 you’d be fine I think. Lighter riders might have some issues (150 and below). I was 190 when I bought them 2 years ago, I’m 165 now and still have no problems.
Now, the Jet 60/90’s would be awesome. I personally am a fan of spoked wheels now that I’ve got a bit more experience under my belt and know a bit more about what I’m looking for in a race wheel. The spoked wheels (HED Jet, Stinger, or Cosmic Carbone etc. etc.) are going to be a smoother ride than the HED 3 and you might notice some improved handling.
You could always do a HED3 rear and a Jet 60 or 90 front, similar to what Macca was using when he was riding his Kestrel. I tried a similar setup at a race when my HED3 front had a flat and enjoyed it because of the improved handling and smoother ride. However, once I put a new tire on the H3 it was hard to leave it off. I’d probably get the H3/Jet 90/60 if I was looking for something more versatile than a disc but something still very aero and a decent ride. I will say I have never ridden a Jet though. Just speaking from my experience with other spoked wheels and the H3’s.
Front: HED 3, or any good race wheel (HED, ZIPP, et al) built up Clyde (extra spokes) style.
Rear: Whatever wheel you want, with a disc cover on it. Viola! Instant disc wheel, as strong as whatever wheel you slap the cover on.
Looking for everyone’s thoughts on the best race wheels for bigger riders. I’ve been looking at HED3 wheels…
NOt quite H3s but they’ll fill the bill
My post was considering that you might be using these in training every once and awhile and want something for all conditions (the H3 and Jet 60/90). If you just want a fast race set up and aren’t so worried about the all aroundedness, go for a disc and H3. You might have a race that’s too hilly, or too windy, but hey it’s fast! 
Reynolds and Edge also make some good aero wheels that work well under clydes.
Looking for everyone’s thoughts on the best race wheels for bigger riders. I’ve been looking at HED3 wheels…
I hate to sound mean here and if I am sorry. But at 220 unless you are a body builder or gym rat I say don’t spend your money on race wheels, they aren’t going to help that much. Instead spent the money on a personal trainer and a nutritionist and drop the weight. Dropping 30-40 lbs will help much more than race wheels.
But if you want a bomb proof wheel to race on go with the Hed 3. I’d worry about the carbon version because at that weight if you hit bumps hard you may bottom out the rim and crack the wheel.
Can you please explain how aero race wheels would help less for a 220lber than they would for say a 150lber?
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Can you please explain how aero race wheels would help less for a 220lber than they would for say a 150lber?
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I’m not saying that they would help less I’m saying that losing weight will make you faster than the race wheels. Spend the money on weight loss, it’s a better investment in speed and health.
But race wheels may help a skinny guy more. Lets say the 150lb guy can put out 330 watts for the duration of a 40k TT, and the big guy can do the same. The little guy will get much more out of the aero wheels because he’s traveling at a faster speed.
Can you please explain how aero race wheels would help less for a 220lber than they would for say a 150lber?
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Because then the OP wouldn’t be a potential candidate for his fitness system…
John
The little guy will get much more out of the aero wheels because he’s traveling at a faster speed.
Biggest drag on a bike is caused by a human body.
I was a linebacker back in college and am slowly but surely streamlining a lot of unwanted bulk. I definitely get your point about getting lighter and how that will help me get faster than anything I can buy - I don’t want to be that guy on a $5,000 bike with aero wheels going 15 mph!
What sucks is that 30lbs. of muscle still seems to be just dead weight when it comes to racing, especially when you carry it in your upper body. And like S~ said, most drag -by far- comes from the body, not the bike.
That said, it’s fun to make your bike as fast as it can be. Still deciding between the HED 3s and the JETs…