I don’t think you are flaming Hed, and if I was you I would be pissed off bigger than shit. I like Hed a lot. They are great people and I have to think they will work with you on this. You paid for a grade A wheel and you deserve a grade A wheel.
I would try calling them again- and again, and again if necessary. Get what you deserve. The only other option is to sell it on ebay, cut your losses and get another FP wheel for the rear. The B grade wheels are selling for over $400 so how much of a loss could you really take?
This whole thing really sucks. I hope you can get some resolution out of it that makes you happy.
I have a pair of HED 3 wheels, and when I got on the trainer it definitely was a rumbly ride from the slight out-of-roundness. The small roller on a trainer exacerbates it. But on the road I don’t notice anything. So I bought a cheap spoked wheel to run in the trainer, that solved the problem.
I ride a front/back H3c and I’m very happy with them. I highly recommend them. Like some comments already posted, side wind on the front wheel is a little harder to control than usual but I imagine that is the same with most areo wheels. They are stiff so a significant amount of road vibrations will come up through them. This issue doesn’t affect me, but in the spirit of full disclosure … So far they have proven highly durable. Also its a little trickier to hang up your wheel sensor for your computer but not a biggie. Hope this helps and that you enjoy them if you decide to get them.
Quote: “I have a H3 front. I’m not sure that there would be much difference between a H3 front/disc and H3 front/rear as far as handling in winds goes.”
kdw,
If fact there is a noticeable difference between a H3 front/rear versus a H3 front/disc. The H3 front/disc is in fact less affected by cross winds and is “easier” to control than a H3 front/rear. Again, I can testify to this from personal experience.
Never had any side wind issues with Zipp 404 or Mavic Cosmic Carbone. My 2 near-crash issues with HED3c were on downhills at full speed, the wobbling was extremely hard to control and the crash could have been very damaging. These wheels were not seconds as somebody mentioned, but the owner’s pick, as I was told. I would feel responsible if I was recommending these wheels and somebody crashes because of them.
Also the quality of the bearings is poor. I returned 2 wheels because of poor bearings and the wheels not being true to specifications and the replacements have only be slightly better.
I am 165 ibs (actually up to 170 in offseason) and bought 650 H3 clincher set. I only have four rides on them. In two, with no wind or trucks, I had no issues. On third ride I was going downhill, coasting at about 35 mph on aerobars when a dual-trailer semi truck passed me going about 70 mph. The initial wind blast from the truck was not bad, but after the truck passed the secondary wind caused my bike to start swerving, somewhat like speed wobbles I’ve observed in others going downhill, but with slower frequency. The amplitude of the wobble (amount of side to side movement) seemed to be increasing and for a moment I thought I was going to lose control. The bike started moving like a snake and I could not hold a straight line. I was extremely scared. Fourth ride was at Great Floridian and I did not have any major problems, but I held onto base bars whenever truck was passing or whenever I might anticipate a gust of wind. I did ride down the hills at 40+ mph on aerobars and no wobbles resulted. Only once did a gust of wind catch my front wheel slightly.
For those who say I just need to learn how to handle the H3s, what do you do to stop the wobble?
Should I use a mirror in races where there might be truck traffic?
My wheels are true and I like them, but don’t completely trust them.
When the wobbling starts, put your entire weight on the front of the bike, lock your hands on the handlebars and try to hold as straight a line as possible…then pray.
Yes, you get a bit more road feel out of H3’s than any standard spoked wheel. It’s not bad at all though. I rode LP on a Hed 3 rear and never thought twice about it. The difference between using a 20mm or a 23mm tire makes a bigger impact on ride quality than H3 vs traditional spoked wheels.
When the wobbling starts, put your entire weight on the front of the bike, lock your hands on the handlebars and try to hold as straight a line as possible…then pray.
Uh, no. Bad advice. Just relax.
I have ridden a disc/H3 combo, and the front was indeed tricky to handle in crosswinds at first. I got used to it after about an hour. I was worried about a disc in windy conditions, but it was actually no problem since the back wheel doesn’t turn. I wouldn’t hesitate now to ride one in anything short of a gale, and if it got windy enough, would use a Zipp 404 in front over the Hed.
I spent 3 seasons training and racing h3’s-I have never experienced speed wobble but the dyanmics from motorcycle racing are similar.
The wobble is a vibration that is exagerated by your body adjusting to the wobble bike goes left you go right and on and on. the cure is to stand and allow the bike to move beneath you while you remain stationary over the bike. the biggest driver of the wobble is usually a planted ass. The vibes get transmitted up via your butt —eliminate that fixed connection and it should all end. Hold on tighter it gets worse-more vibes getting passed around-loosen up your grip and stand up. Pinch your saddle between your knees get you ass in the air and your head low gut on the saddle and rip.
H3’s are some of the best wheels I have owned-several thousand miles and lots of racing.
bomb proof sex appeal make cool noise and not very many of them around. Hub shims are usually the culprit in heavy wobbles-that present as the wheel being out of true.
Thanks for the tip. I only experienced the wobble once on the H3s and that was when the double trailer truck passed me at 70+ mph and after I was blasted with an huge gust of wind while going 35+ mph (seemed to hit when I was momentarily pulled into truck’s draft). However, it is obviously a harmonic function so I should treat same as regular speed wobble. Only problem is in the one case I experienced the onset was instantaneous and without warning and being on the aerobars I’d be reluctant to pick my butt of the seat – maybe I need to practice that. Now when trucks are passing me, I get off the aerobars.
We’ve talked about this so called “speed wobble” numerous times here. I have a set of Nimble Crosswinds (trispoke wheel) and had experienced wobble on several occasions, including Hawaii.
To control it, you MUST relax on the bike (that’s usually the hardest thing to do under those conditions). I find by NOT gripping the aerobar when in those conditions, I’m able to keep my bike from starting to go into speed wobble. The wobble comes from the body tensing under conditions you’re not accustomed to and you subconsciously try to control the front end. I’ve had, on one occasion, this so called “speed wobble” start at 65km/hr in gusting sidewinds and as I slowed down to 5km/hr, the wobble continued, until I started to relax my grip on the bars.
Even today, when I’m under conditions I’m not accustomed to, the speed wobble will start, BUT the difference is, I now relax and it goes away.
By the way, I’ve bought the Nimble Fly (a light, spoked wheel) to use in very windy conditions, such as Hawaii. This wheel was also recommended by the manufacturer, to be used in extreme windy conditions. Other then that, I’m very pleased with my tri-spoke wheels. They ARE fast.
Quote: “I only experienced the wobble once on the H3s and that was when the double trailer truck passed me at 70+ mph and after I was blasted with an huge gust of wind while going 35+ mph (seemed to hit when I was momentarily pulled into truck’s draft).”
HH,
I’m curious how your other wheels respond to the identical condition? I’m of the opinion this “dangerous oscillation” was less the result of the wheels and more the result of the semi, its draft, the prevailing wind, etc. I find it extremely difficult to believe that under the conditions you described this “oscillation” wouldn’t also have happened had you been using any other wheel set as well.
I own a pair of H3C’s. I have raced on them for two years now. I love 'em. I believe they are the fastest wheels on the planet, but it could be said I’m biased being the Canadian HED distributor.
In terms of cross winds, I used them at the Cdn. National Du’s where there were 65km/h winds. I wasn’t pushed around any more or less than anyone else with a deep rim (Stinger 50, Jet 50, 404, etc.).
They are absolutely bomb proof. In three years I have yet to service a pair.
