I want a set of aero wheels to upgrade from my box shaped wheels. I’m thinking 58mm, so something around the same depth of the Zipp 404s. The plan is to mount a Powertap on them, so I wanted something that I could reliably train and race on so I get lots of training data but also can use it for races.
I don’t want to buy two powertaps.
So I want something that will stand up to the rigors of everyday cycling. I usually ride on smooth roads and rarely hit potholes, but I have smashed into them a few times. I’ve had my box wheels for a year (Easton EA90 SLX) and haven’t needed them trued yet, so I think I do pretty well.
I’d like to avoid Zipps given their costs, so I was thinking about something more durable. The Easton EC90 Aeros and the Mavic Cosmic Carbones are on my radar for the task. Thoughts on these or other suggestions on reliable aero wheels?
you should have gotten the zipp 404 deal yesterday at competitive cyclist. there are still lots of places selling the aluminum-rim 404s for $1600, and if that’s not outside your price range, that’s probably a pretty good option. aluminum clincher makes everyday riding easy, but you still get a pretty big aero benefit.
i’ve heard great things about the cosmic carbones too. pretty heavy, but if you’re not worried about that, those are probably a great choice.
I have powertap hubs on a Zipp 404, a Mavic Open Pro and an American Classic 420 in my quiver. I race on the 404, train on the AC420 and use a wheel cover on the Mavic if things call for a disc and my wife is racing alongside me and takes the 404 (she hates riding discs).
Does anyone know if FLO wheels will be compatible with Powertap hubs? HED makes a special Jet rim for Powertap setups because their standard rims won’t work.
I think I remember reading that they would not be able to fit the PT hubs. I could be wrong but I think I remember them saying that. I hope that’s not true because I would love to get a FLO 90 and mount my PT hub on it. Not sure if I could thought since my PT is 32 hole and I hear it’s risky to put a 32 hole on a 24 rim.
The main issue is spoke count. Cycleops sells different spokecount hubs … just need to make sure it is compatible with the rim you want to use. If i recall correctly … you would need a 24 or 28 hole hub to work with most carbon wheels – unless its a full custom setup.
Flo won’t offer powertap at the start. A powertap hub has a different width and flange size than the hubs they are using so the spokes would enter the fairing at a different location than their stock hub, which increased their costs. That is also the reason that if you want a HED Jet with powertap, you can’t just put a powertap on any old HED jet wheel. HED does however have a powertap option for their jets.
Just like Flo wheels, the HED jet is an aluminum rim with a carbon fairing. So the deep carbon portion is not structural, the spoke attaches to the aluminum rim. Because of that they machine the fairing at locations exactly where the spokes enter the fairing allowing the spoke to pass through. If you have a hub that has a different flange spacing, or flange diameter than the stock hub, the spokes will enter the fairing at a different angle and location. Also a Powertap has to be laced with a 2x pattern on the non drive side. A HED jet is laced radially on the non-drive side, which would also result in the spokes entering the fairing at a different location.
Sorry man but at least you didn’t get them and take them all apart then figure this out. HED does offer a powertap build if you go to their website.