Which is “fastest”?
Opinions only please, check your PHD at the door.
I don’t know the answer to that one, haven’t read the paper today yet…
Without decals the H3 is hand’s down the fastest wheel, with decals the Zipp is faster. Remember a faster looking bike is always faster. Ultimatly, it all depends on what bike they are on. (i.e. which ever wheel is on my bike is always going to be faster.)
-The next greatest signature…when I feel like it…
I know squat about wind tunnel data or yaw angles (though seeing as I had plans on being a pilot at one time I should know something). Having ridden a Specialized trispoke (yeah I know it’s not an HS but it was close enough for me) and, more recently, a 404 and if I had to choose only one of the two for all around front wheel pick…I’d go with the 404. I think the combination of its lightness and aerodynamics (not to mention slightly better handling in crosswinds) make it the slightly better choice…for any course. Given the choice, and having many wheels to choose from I do have the choice, I’ll go with the 404 (or for that matter any deep section front wheel with quality bearings/races). Some people who have access to wind tunnels may argue the point (and then rescind on their points later) but it’s my two cents and I’m throwing them into the hat.
Hed 3, mainly because you don’t have to waste time dodging potholes, just plow right through em.
Hopefully, a Tilium SS. 
Otherwise, the H3 is the mindshare fastest, while the 404 is the fat wallet fastest. (Don’t be hatin’ I’m jus playin’ wit’ y’all!)
Under 140 lbs, the fastest is 404. Over 140 lbs, H3. A wheel is not fast if you crash in a 30 mph crosswind/gust. You don’t move when your ass hits the tarmac and you turn to pavement pizza
the 404…only 'cause i have them and don’t have the H3’s…
Here’s John Cobb’s take, which gets confusing because he states the Hed CX is faster than the H3. But there is another website that wind tunnel rates the Campy Shamal only marginally slower than the CX but is less affected by crosswinds. So is the H3, 404, H3 or Shamal the fastest under real world conditions?
So the question really is which “expert” do you wish to believe?
404!
Lance rides the H3 for a reason, it’s faster. If the 404 was indeed faster then he would be on one, just re-baged as a Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon (same wheel).
Dave from VA
Lance could ride a box 32h and still kick azz
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From the post by Cobb, “The original Hed CX, with the curved sisdes was faster than the H3, they don’t sell that anymore. Now the Zipp 404/ Blackwell 58 are about the only deep wheels available with the curved side shape and it will overall be a better choice front wheel.” This is incorrect. The Het JetV65 has an almost identical bulged curved side (they both own the patent). So cerveloguy you’re right to question the “experts.” I’d be more inclined to trust the guy that has nothing to sell but his information.
Anyway, every bit of data I have seen indicates that the two are virtually identical from at almost any angle, but I might prefer the 404 due to a bit less sideforce. I’m in the 155lb middleground, and total sideforce on the front wheel makes me a little nervous at 50mph down the hills in Clermont. Besides the bearings in the 404 seem soooo smooth.
Nimble Crosswind
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Nimble crosswind…not on my bikes. I tried them.
I think the H3 COULD be slower on some forks than the 404…it depends upon whether you get undue resonance between the spokes and fork blades as they pass one another. Hear the whop-whop-whop that you sometimes get on some forks at some speeds with the H3? Sound is the brain’s interpretation of the eardrum’s movement as a result of vibration…so, if you can hear the whop, it makes sense to me there is some vibration there that must be due to air compressing/decompressing. Then again, maybe the 404 hisses and you can’t hear it because of the wind in your ears that sounds so similar?
I ride an H3, as if that makes any difference.
The fastest wheel is under the fastest rider, or the one chasing the girl in cheap, stripper perfume.
my reasoning: getting 909’s based on several factors. Using a Corima disc and H3 right now, but need to cut some weight off the Abici, for TT racing, goal here is to get is back down in to the 19lb range, fully loaded. I think it is a 300 gm difference between wheels. Also, I took off the Campy bottle and put back on the Zipp cage and bottle on the downtube, easier to drink out of for 30k, 40k and 56mile TT’s:
That’s a hot ride Gary. It looks good so it’s gots to be fast. I’d be careful posting future porn, the mans been cracking down since Janet’s fun bag viewing.
lifting a HED3 and then lifting a tubular 404, the weight difference alone makes you want the 404…
This bike is nothing compared to another recent Rotor convert at the local TT race, one of those all black carbon Aegis, much like this one:
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