Here’s the scoop…I’m renting some race wheels for IMLP and I was wondering if 808’s were adequate for this race? Lemme have it…
Nope. I would keep shopping.
I have no complaints with my experience using 808s @ LP, despite the bad weather last year. However, Record went much faster than I so you might want to listen to him.
I’m dying to go back to LP and go a little faster.
Here’s the scoop…
Instead of being concerned about buying/renting upgrades go out and ride up grades…
Nope. Go deeper (especially if you are renting). I think 1080s would be perfect for this course (if not a disc).
I ran a 404 front and 900 disc last year in the pouring rain and had no issues. I would run that combo again. If I had an 808 front, I would run that with the disc.
808’s are fine at Placid. I doubt I would go deeper on the front, but could see a 1080 on the back. Disc is an interesting choice, but I think the weight penalty might be a bit much to overcome.
Bob
Yeah, there is an extra 100ish grams on the disk as compared to a built 808. About 20gm more than a 1080.
I have done IMLP on Shamal, 404, 909 and once on H3, 900. Never had an issue with any of the wheels. I will say that if you are going down Keene in the rain I prefer to not be on the Shamals as they can fill with water and scare the piss out of you.
I thought it was more than 100 grams, so it might not be a big deal.
Last year I saw so many guys emptying water out of their discs that I wondered if that caused issues. I assumed it did, but didn’t know if that was operator error or they simply fill with water in HEAVY Rain like last year.
According to Zipp.com there is just over 100gm more on the 900 disk over the 1080. I am not sure how any water can get into a Zipp 900 disk, but have got cups of water out of the Shamal HPW12. Newbiz has the HPW front wheel yet, not sure if he ever got any water in it.
Rear Wheel Rim Used 620 Hub Used 188 **Weight** **888g** Spoke Count 20
And the Disk
900 Tubular Rear Wheel Weight 936g
I ran an 808 / Sub-9 combination last year and had no issues. I also spent four days riding the course with an 808 / 808 combination.
If I were doing IM LP this year I would probably go with the 808 / 808 combination. Note, this is my personal preference only. You can run a disk in IM LP. However, I just didn’t feel it gave me a significant enough advantage to bother. That said, I did seem to descend better on the Sub-9.
FYI, the Sub-9 did fill with water, but I just put this down to the bike sitting in Transition and not moving.
Run the 808’s. They are awesome, even in weather like last year.
a very good choice for LP
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i ran a 404 front and disc in the rear last year without problem. rode it in 2005 with 404 combo (all the choice i had). I cant see a reaosn not to use a deeper dish wheel in the rear and whatever you can handle in the front (i’m 140lbs so i went wit my404). Only a few actual turns on the whole course so your not penalzing yourself by slowing down on corners then needing the extra effort to get back up to speed with a heaver wheel. the ride back to town from wilmington is long and on an incline but its not steep and honestly a few hundred grams is hardly worth the effort to worry about . . .carry less water and pick up stuff at aid stations if weight bothers you . . .like another poster said if you have the oportunity ride the course with an 808 one loop then another with a smaller wheel, do it and see what works best for you and your bike.
808’s are fine but if you are renting I would go at least 808 front and a disk on the back. Why not go with a 1080 front and a sub 9 back? If you are going to qualify every second counts. The extra weight thing is nonsense.
carry less water and pick up stuff at aid stations if weight bothers you .
Are you kidding. It’s an Ironman, man - I am going to load my bike down with as much stuff as I can. Even though their is an aid station with everything I could ever need every 10 miles!! 
carry less water and pick up stuff at aid stations if weight bothers you .
Are you kidding. It’s an Ironman, man - I am going to load my bike down with as much stuff as I can. Even though their is an aid station with everything I could ever need every 10 miles!!
It is Lake Placid. Just keep your mouth open and collect the rainwater to drink.
Here’s the scoop…
Instead of being concerned about buying/renting upgrades go out and ride up grades…
awsome response