I’m a college triathlete on a budget. really want a tri bike, but even the used cervelos are out of my budget (if anyone knows of a 48cm white/black cervelo p2-p3 from 2012-on around $2k, let me know!!! If I’m gonna buy a bike I’m gonna get it in the colors I like - white/black, and the red on the p3 is fine with me. I don’t like the blue and white p2.)
I digress.
ANYWAY, since I can’t afford a tri bike, I am looking to upgrade my road wheels. However, I don’t want to drop $1k on wheels right now, so I was thinking about buying one FLO 30 and another FLO 60.
My question is, do I buy a front OR rear flo 60? I’m not sure if its better to have a front or back more “aero” wheel, I haven’t even been doing triathlons for a year, so I’m still fairly new.
Aesthetically speaking, it’s rear wheel
But technically speaking, it should be front.
Actually, it’s important to keep the back the same depth as the front, or deeper. Otherwise the bike becomes very squirrelly in a cross wind.
So, if the op is going to have a box rim on the bike, it needs to be the front.
The exception would be if a cover is going to be used. Then a 60 front and rear cover is the best way to go, as long as the box rim goes back on the front when the cover is removed.
What’s a box rim? Right now I just have some standard bontrager wheels that came on my Trek. Would they be compatible with a wheel cover? I almost feel that if they should be the same depth I might as well just become a little more broke and buy two 60s…
What’s a box rim? Right now I just have some standard bontrager wheels that came on my Trek. Would they be compatible with a wheel cover? I almost feel that if they should be the same depth I might as well just become a little more broke and buy two 60s…
Your standard Bontrager wheels are box rims. Yes, you can put a Wheelbuilder cover on them (but go to the site and check).
That would be the cheapest route and very close to the fastest, but likeI said, you need to put the original rim on the front if you remove the cover.
I think you’re better off just saving your money. Wheels are icing on the cake. you need cake. Spend that money on an extra race or two, or put it away and build on it for that tri bike you want.
edit: to actually answer your question, upgrade rear first, and rear should always be same size or deeper than front, if nothing else than for aesthetics.
I should probably mention that I’m a petite 5’3", 115lbs soaking wet. I wasn’t really considering a 90 because I didn’t think I would be able to handle it in the wind. Thoughts?
Unless thing have changed recently, a front wheel will save you more time that a rear. That said, an aero helmet will save you more time than a front wheel.
I like what a prior poster said, get the aero front and a cover for your current rear. But, get a pointy hat first.
This. I ride a deep front with a box rear and it is fine, but I’m 180 lbs.
Cost / benefit wise, an aero frame should be near last. Tri bars and the stem, saddle, and seatpost to get aero first, then helmet/skinsuit, then wheels, then frame. Aeroweenie.com is a good resource. Also frictionfacts.com!
But, also prioritize things that will make you excited to train.
Flo 60 front and wheelbuilder cover on your rear stock wheel. That combo is going to be faster than most of the field, and you’ll be within margin of error of the guys spending $$$ on Zipp/Enve/Etc.
Save your money for a tri bike down the road. Wheels are a big investment for a fairly marginal performance improvement. And if you can’t afford two nicer wheels, that’s another reason to hold off on wheels for now (and having to swap front and rear wheels with any regularity is going to suck). And with disk brakes and new axle standards coming in, there’s a decent chance in a few years you’ll be happy to have postponed the wheel purchase.
Having said all that, you’ll get better feedback if you can share your specific objectives and constraints. For example, might seconds or minutes saved get you on the podium (seems unlikely since you’re riding a road bike)? Are your current road bike wheels corroded and need replacing? What are your racing plans/hopes over the next few years? What are your current and expected future budget constraints?
Flo 60 front and wheelbuilder cover on your rear stock wheel. That combo is going to be faster than most of the field, and you’ll be within margin of error of the guys spending $$$ on Zipp/Enve/Etc.
Personally, I would go with the fastest front wheel you can afford/control, and a wheel cover for your back wheel. This is pretty much as fast as you can get, for a very affordable price. With respect to front wheel control, most people are comfortable with a front FLO 60. If that is out of your budget, then a front FLO 30 and a wheel cover for your rear wheel is pretty much the best bang for your buck you can find.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask.
I should probably mention that I’m a petite 5’3", 115lbs soaking wet. I wasn’t really considering a 90 because I didn’t think I would be able to handle it in the wind. Thoughts?
I personally would steer clear of the 90 rear. I would go 60/60 for the ease of using the same tube and not having to deal with the valve extenders. You will “lose” just a few seconds by not running 60/90.