I’m using a 60mm deep front for the first time this season, and I’ve done about half a dozen outdoor rides with them so far (NJ weather has been horrific this “spring”). Most of the rides have involved very strong, mostly cross, winds. In fact, I went out one day with ~25mph winds, and changed my planned route to avoid traffic that I feared I’d be blown into. I consider myself to be pretty solid on the bike (~170lbs, swimmer’s build at least for a triathlete), but this was scary. Yesterday, at 35mph ground speed and 15-20mph cross-wind, I had to do the one-hand-on-the-brake-hoods deal for stability.
I can’t imagine how people can ride those 80mm things in strong winds.
I found the same thing in strong winds with a 60mm Hed Jet and Cx.
Pick yourself up a Campy Shamal off ebay. Absolutely amazing wheel because it is virtually unaffected by crosswinds. There was a wind tunnel test comparing a large group of front wheels several years ago. The Specialized trispoke was the fastest followed by the Hed Cx and Campy Shamal. BUT the report mentioned how much more stable the Shamal was in cross winds.
I am one of those guys who use an 80 millimeter deep front in all weather conditions. I think it is not a problem. I am not a star bike handler but I am pretty confident and I have a powerful upper body.
From my experience if you just stay calm you’ll be fine. Sure, the wind will move you around- no big deal. Just stay in the aero position and go with it.
It is scary at first and in gusty conditions but, realistically, in anything other that extremely severe conditions (i.e. a real storm or winds gusting to over 30 mph) I have never heard of soeone being blown over. It’s like flying a little airplane in turbulence: Just let it take you and you’ll be fine.
It’s like flying a little airplane in turbulence: Just let it take you and you’ll be fine.
Do those little airplanes fly about three feet from an eighteen-wheeler going 50mph?
I’ll stick with my Campy Shamal or something similiar recommendation as a spare front wheel. Use the deep dish or the tri spoke on calm days but use the other wheel in windy conditions. There is nothing less fun than racing in gale force winds and fighting torque steer for the full duration of the bike split.
Good point. I think the best advice is that if you aren’t comfortable on the equipment- definately don;t use it. I like that advice for two reasons: It’s safe and makes good common sense. It only means I’ll be faster.
Ken, what was on the back? Another 60mm? Anyway, I’ve raced twice this year with a disc and an 808 front. Both times the winds were truly rough…25 with 35 mph gusts. I can say it was a handful, but, not so bad that I couldn’t ride 18 inches from the white line with worrying I was going off the road or too far out into traffic. Could be partly due to the geometry of my bike, as well as it’s surface area. Anyway, it was better handling than my old 3 spoke…which I believe only had 50-something mm rims. I’m also 185lbs…maybe that helps, too. Whatever your experience, you’re absolutely correct…if the resultant handling makes you cringe, it just ain’t right for you.
Unless I’m mistaken about 90% of those “guys” out there with 80mm front wheels have had them less than a month and will probably be in for a big surprise the first time they go for ride outside of their living room. There is a reason very few people used super deep front wheels before the zipp 808 came along. Now it seems to be the “thing” to do, handling be damned.