I have been looking for some more “free speed” on my timetrials lately. I am currently using a Lightweight front (I always use a disc at the back), and have to be honest: I doesn’t feel like a fast choice 
Well, ideally I would just buy a zipp 808 or 1080 front and be done with it, but I just can’t afford that right now. Gigantex makes this 85 mm. tubular rim that I can get really cheap (These are the wheels with the weird kind of “bulges” on the side of the rim). I have searched the forum and they have been debated before…
Well Gigantex have a nice reputation for building strong rims, and I know the wheel is going to be on the heavy side.
What I would like to know is how aero these really are? Are we talking comparable to zipp 808 or more like a 404?
Any first hand impressions? I know I am probably not going to have drag data on these, but it would be nice to know how YOU think they “feel” compared to other deep profile carbon wheels.
I know you are going to ask me to buy some used HED or Zipp’s instead - and on the long run I will probably do that, but for now these really are what I can afford.
I wish I had an unlimited cash flow because I’d love to take questions like this to the tunnel. I’ve wondered the about those bulges more than once myself and would love to hear an engineer with more aerodynamic background chime in.
As for non-big name rims, I will be building up a set shortly because I want to train on something deep so I get used to the feel, but didn’t feel like putting my zipps through the everyday riding and taking the risk of busting one up.
yeah, who couldn’t use a wind tunnel for free testing 
Breomonkey, they also come as carbon clinchers, for training only that would be the logical choice…
I’ve raced with 808s and have been using the 85mm gigantex clinchers for the past 2 months of training. In terms of speed and feel, I think that they are easily in the ballpark of the 808. The hubs are obviously a lower quality (though I installed a PT in the rear), but the impact isn’t even pennies on the dollar. IMO, if you go the gigantex route you’re looking at 55-60% cost differential and maybe a maximum of 4-5% performance differential. That’s huge in terms of $$/mph
Although this is a great wheelset, I’ll be selling mine in the near future because I moved over to a set of SRAM S60s. Frankly, I don’t need 85mm of aero all the time. For the type of riding I do day in and day out, the 85s work just fine, but they’re a bit overkill.
The aero performance difference is - maybe - 4-5%. But there are other - rather significant - performance markers that aren’t related to aero. A massive part of Zipp’s cost, for example, is the resin they use to make their wheels. Structurally, they are significantly better than Gigantex wheels. Structure becomes a factor when you brake, hit pot-holes, etc. If you want cheap aero, there are a lot of other places to look than Zipp. But Zipp is definitely charging the price they charge just for aerodynamics. There are a lot of other factors which are often ignored - but which shouldn’t be - when it comes to making a carbon hoop.
I can’t give any insight into the aero data but I have a Gigantex 85 carbon clincher front wheel and have raced on it in about 3-4 races. It rolls well and seems to be a really solid wheel.
The aero performance difference is - maybe - 4-5%. But there are other - rather significant - performance markers that aren’t related to aero. A massive part of Zipp’s cost, for example, is the resin they use to make their wheels. Structurally, they are significantly better than Gigantex wheels. Structure becomes a factor when you brake, hit pot-holes, etc. If you want cheap aero, there are a lot of other places to look than Zipp. But Zipp is definitely charging the price they charge just for aerodynamics. There are a lot of other factors which are often ignored - but which shouldn’t be - when it comes to making a carbon hoop.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Since the OP was only talking aero, I was only qualifying aero. Structurally, the gigantex rims are “solid enough” for a guy like me (64kg) to ride daily, but that’s not to say that they’re the best choice. Power transfer, dampening, torsional moments - these are all things that are impacted by material selection/integration and they really come into play over the long haul. To people that can afford them, I’d be lying if I said that that zipp isn’t the best ride on the market. To those that can’t afford them, and will never know the difference, gigantex will give you the a la carte experience.
Thanks for the feedback. I will only use the front, and only for 5 - 10 short timetrials a year, no training. I think the wheel will be perfect for my needs 
They aren’t UCI legal in mass start races, so I won’t be able to do road races with these anyway.