i’ve got the Ascent wheels (for racing) and really love them. they’re light and durable enough that i can ride them outside of racing–so they get alot of use (which i like. also, i don’t look like a jerk when i ride them during other rides that aren’t races; another huge plus for me personally.)
but i admit to having lust after the Tempest II deep rims. they’re 154 grams lighter (but i don’t really care about that, to be honest, seeing how i can take that off my own body). there is just something about them…they’re on my “wish list”. (these or a pair of zipps)
my bike shop (which i love) feels that the Tempest II isn’t going to do anything different for me in comparison to the Ascent wheels that i already have.
so, i thought i’d toss it out to ST, seeing how many of you are very technical about things like this.
The Tempest is a Zipp 404 (non-dimpled) hoop built on an Easton hub. So buying the Tempest Carbon is basically the same as buying the Zipp 404. For an Ironman, it would be a huge difference over your existing wheels. But really, buy the Zipp 404 pair so you can get clinchers.
Yup - those are “real” race wheels, unlike what you are using now which are just nice wheels or road race wheels (but no real aero benefits/time savings). You can strap on a pair of my Zipp 404’s if you want to feel the difference (you will). As Jordan said: same wheel, only different hubs (I really like Zipp hubs).
I bought the Easten Tempest II’s last spring and although I only raced twice on them last year I am very pleased.
I am used to tubulars since I used them for 10 -15 years before the clincher technology improved, so I don’t mind futzing around with the glue and stuff. If you are not used to tubulars and don’t care to learn, you might be better off staying with clinchers.
I’m not so sure that the 2007 Tempest II Carbon is going to be the Zipp rim anymore. There has been some publicity about Easton building their own rims for either this season or next. I will try and dig up the info I saw previously.
You can note that Easton says the rim is 21x56mm, which is 2mm shallower than Zipp’s 404 rim. The one in their picture uses external nipples, and is probably a Zipp 404, as the new Easton rims are supposed to be internal nipple.
I do believe Easton is making their own rims this year or soon.
Yes that is correct - new rims as well as new hubs which no longer use spokes that thread into the hub body. It is uncertain whether Easton will try to bring the new Tempest II to market for 07’ since the prototypes are still being tested by several pro teams (both US Continental and Pro Tour teams) .
ok, so my question is: am i better off using Tempest for ironman, over the Ascent?
(I’m not a front pack age grouper, hoping to do my first IM in about 12:30)
Using deep rims is even a bigger advantage than in a shorter distance event. You’ll save tons of energy (or gain speed - or both) over the 112. Also, with a 58mm rim, you’ll notice little difference in climbing quality. Actually, you said the Tempests are lighter, hell, you’re gaining. My 404s climb like a mountain goat.
I have both sets of wheels. Both are great, but the Tempest II Carbon is a true TT/Tri race wheel, whereas the ascent II is a great all-around wheel. I raced IMCDA on the Tempest’s last year and definitely felt faster than on my training wheels. If you can afford the Tempests and are interested in saving some time, get them, you won’t be dissappointed.