What disc on the market has the best bang for your buck value? Currently I’m riding a 2015 P2 that I’ve upgraded with a used Di2 system and Giant STS 65mm carbon wheels. Eventually (many years down the road) I want to upgrade to a P3X/P5X, so I wanted to get an upgrade that I would be able to use for a long time as opposed to new handlebars (still running stock profile design).
Thank you!
If you’re planning on upgrading to a p3x/p5x or any new bike really, you’d be wasting your money buying a disc now. You’ve got rim brakes and the bikes you’re interested in are disc brakes. Aerocoach’s Aeox disc is probably the best value and they make those in both rim and disc but they are not interchangeable.
A disc cover is the best value as far as price/performance. https://wheelbuilder.com/aerojacket-disc-cover/
I would say a used flo disc would be the best value maybe a Ron disc as well if you want an actual disc.
I looked at a few value discs and just got the cover.
+1 for disc cover, closely followed by a used disc.
I just picked up a used Zipp 900 for $350. I see very little reason to spend $1k+ on a new disc, most aero claims/research seem to be pretty negligible across the board.
I echo everyone the disc cover posts above. That is the best value both short- and long-term.
For rear discs, best value loosely translates to cheapest, because the performance gaps are small and ultimately unknowable on your bike without wind tunnel testing.
Second, if you are planning for a future bike upgrade that will be disc brakes, then spend the least possible on your current bike.
Third, if you still want to get a dedicated disc, then I think the FLO aluminum and carbon is the cheapest disc ($680 when on 20% off sale) on the market that has a credible quality & performance following.
You can get a HED Jet+ for $880 from trisports.com, which is Renn/Flo territory
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You can get a used 10 speed Renn disc for really cheap. Then take a flat file and convert it to 11 speed in 20 minutes.
It worked fine for me;
Used Renn/ used H3 has been the ST approved poor man’s race wheelset of almost 20 years!
One of the HED Jet models for sure. Can be found on sale easy, pretty bomb proof, aero as anything out there.
I used to have a disc cover, I hated it. Yes it may be just as aero, but I hated having a cover taped/bolted on to an already heavy wheel, that then bowed in/out in certain places depending on how well it was attached, etc.
You have the cost of the wheel you’ll use, plus the cost of the cover, result is a heavy crappy looking wheel that still costs you a few hundred bucks. Bite the bullet and get a HED (or Renn).
One of the HED Jet models for sure. Can be found on sale easy, pretty bomb proof, aero as anything out there.
I used to have a disc cover, I hated it. Yes it may be just as aero, but I hated having a cover taped/bolted on to an already heavy wheel, that then bowed in/out in certain places depending on how well it was attached, etc.
You have the cost of the wheel you’ll use, plus the cost of the cover, result is a heavy crappy looking wheel that still costs you a few hundred bucks. Bite the bullet and get a HED (or Renn).
Sorry you had a bad experience. Mine was just the opposite.
My original (tubular) 808 with a wheel cover never bulged and was lighter than a Sub 9, Renn, Pro, Mavic, and a Hed Jet. It also tested faster than the 900. The cost of the cover was less than $100. The only thing missing is the cool womp womp sound of a disc.
What disc on the market has the best bang for your buck value? Currently I’m riding a 2015 P2 that I’ve upgraded with a used Di2 system and Giant STS 65mm carbon wheels. Eventually (many years down the road) I want to upgrade to a P3X/P5X, so I wanted to get an upgrade that I would be able to use for a long time as opposed to new handlebars (still running stock profile design).
Thank you!
Echoing what others have said, the disc cover is a great way to go, as is the Renn disc. I had the latter back in college and it worked very well. With as quickly as ‘standards’ evolve, I think it’s smart to keep the cost low… there are already a couple new road bikes out there using Boost (148mm thru axle) rear-end spacing.
I agree. I haven’t had bulge or anything like that. They do say the deeper the wheel the more chance of bulging, I have a 60mm. With my wheel it is 1324 grams with the cover on. Unless you are standing right next to the bike its hard to even tell its a cover. I just asked the do not attache any unnecessary stickers and send it blank. Given that he already has a rear wheel he could use he wouldn’t be buying a new rear. I do see HED discs go for around $500-$550 that is a good deal.
What?! Who’s making boost road bikes?
I don’t know who they are, but I hate them already.
What?! Who’s making boost road bikes?
I don’t know who they are, but I hate them already.
There is one from Focus, and the new specialized e-road bike. Specialized said it is because that the motor is too wide and pushes the chain line out, so they had to go boost in the rear. And they decided to make the front hub boost just to match.
My guess is that we will start seeing it on gravel bikes first within a year or two, then road, then triathlon last. That’s typically the pattern. If I really wanted to speculate, I’ll say that it will start in gravel for some combination of reasons like tire clearance, chain stay length, and to work better with complex suspension systems.
+1 for disc cover, closely followed by a used disc.
I just picked up a used Zipp 900 for $350. I see very little reason to spend $1k+ on a new disc, most aero claims/research seem to be pretty negligible across the board.
^^^^^This.
Covers are the best bang for the buck, and for “real” discs going used is fine since they are race only wheel and tend to have very low mileage.
Used Renn/ used H3 has been the ST approved poor man’s race wheelset of almost 20 years!
QFT. Looks awesome, too. It’s not the latest Zipp but on a price performance basis I think this is the consistent winner. It’s also what I run.
I had a cover on my spinergy stealth 10 years ago and it never bulged and fit great. I have a 55mm carbon rear wheel now that weighs around 800g so I am thinking of putting a cover in it which would raise it to 1200g which is around the same as a Ron or Flo and a lit lighter than my old combo from a decade ago. I may order one this weekend.
One of the HED Jet models for sure. Can be found on sale easy, pretty bomb proof, aero as anything out there.
+1. The HED Jet Black + is amazing. Considering tires/trisuit/helmet/wheels/frame are probably the most important equipment details in cycling you may as well get the best you can afford of each of those to start.
Used Renn/ used H3 has been the ST approved poor man’s race wheelset of almost 20 years!
Correct me if I’m wrong but Renn wheels are narrow by today’s standards. A wider wheel is a smoother and faster ride and most riders in the Tour are rolling on 25mm tires this year for good reason.
The HED H3 was 19mm wide vs. the revised HED GT3 which is 26.5mm which is substantial.
Specs for Renn 555 (newest version)
Brake track width is 24mm. Inner bead width is 18.25mm
Weight is 1190 grams
Max lateral runout is .5mm
Max vertical runout is 1mm
Aluminum brake track
Nomes honeycomb core with 3k plainweave carbon skin
Aluminum hub 8,9,10 and 11 speed compatible
Specs for Renn 555 (newest version)
Brake track width is 24mm. Inner bead width is 18.25mm
Ok, that’s a good width for a 23mm tire I think. I couldn’t find that info on google for some reason.
