So, when I was more seriously training for triathlons in the late 90’s early 2000’s, I remember race wheels being much more affordable especially when I saw how much race wheels are selling for today. So, I decided to do some research.
I used the internet archive (www.archive.org) to research prices of the Hed 3 wheel from Nytro.com. Then I used a dollar value calculator (http://www.dollartimes.com/...lators/inflation.htm) to bring the 2000 price to present day. I used 3 different dollar value calculators that I found online and they all were within a few dollars of each other. Check out the graph/table below.
The 2000-2007 prices for the Hed3 came from Nytro.com whereas the 2009 price of the Hed3 was taken from Trisports.com because Nytro no longer carries.
The price of a base level Cervelo P2k in 2000, was $1999 via Nytro.com, in 2009 the P1 on Cervelo’s site is $1799 complete. Whereas, based on the inflation calculator the P1 should be $2497.
The only thing not controlled for is the wholesale price of carbon fiber. I know this has gone up but I couldnt find any historical data for this. So what I did was go to Dragonplate.com and looked at the price for the same sheet of laminate over time. It went from $7.61 in 2003 to $16.75 in 2008 or a 120% increase. The Hed 3 went up 144%.
So obviously, inflation wasnt the only factor here.
I have regretted not getting H3s five years ago. I still want a set but feel priced out. I remember when you could get two for $800.
It’s the same wheel after all these years, right?
I have regretted not getting H3s five years ago. I still want a set but feel priced out. I remember when you could get two for $800.
It’s the same wheel after all these years, right?
Well, kind of. A H3 from 2009 will have several advantages over the H3 from 2000:
-C2 (wider rim, better feel, similar aerodynamics)
-Lighter
-Stiffer, more crash resistant
-Better hubs (by FAR)
Hed is still doing research. They are still spending money on their wheels, so the price of the wheels is still going up.
Are the Hed3’s made with the wider C2 rim now? If so, it isn’t listed on their website. I remember hearing that this might be the case late last year, but haven’t seen or heard if actually has happened yet.
They do not use a C2 rim.
They are nominally lighter.
They are not stiffer from what I am aware.
The rear hub has been significantly improved, not sure about the front.
I think you’re on to something that is more to the point of triathlon’s expansion. There are so many threads around here that are either:
I’m going to do a triathlon and so I’m getting a triathlon bike
I’ve done two tris and now I need race wheels
It’s great that the sport is growing, but there is definately an idea that people want the very best and are willing to pay for it.
If you are really looking for wheels on the cheap. I would recommend a Mavic Cosmic Carbone front and Renn disc rear. Probably $1000 total.
I am not 100 percent positive, but I believe the Hed 3’s are built in Spain. I would assume that with the Euro kicking the sh!t out of the USD over the last decade this might have something to do with it.
I have been to their shop in Minnesota and seen them working on H3’s. I can’t say for certain they are built from start to finish there, but I got the idea that they were. It’s a cool place to go visit.
The molding factories are indeed in Spain. They install the hubs in MN I believe but the large part of the manufacturing goes on in Spain. Sorry to be a one upper.
I am not 100 percent positive, but I believe the Hed 3’s are built in Spain. I would assume that with the Euro kicking the sh!t out of the USD over the last decade this might have something to do with it.
Yes, they are made in Spain but it cant be the USD to Euro exchange rate as the price over here in Europe has also increased a lot over the recent years.
Some of the increase in price would have been caused by an increase in the cost of carbon, even though prices have fallen in the last couple of years.
The price increase doesnt really bother me, but what astounds me is that these wheels were designed so long ago, yet they still perform so well in comparison to all the wheels on the market.
Both are really good points. Here we are after all these years and the Hed 3 is still the wheel every other one is compared to. It’s a tough wheel to beat for many reasons including speed and durability. As far as inflation - while the price has gone up over the years, what hasn’t? I actually think Hed has done a really good job of keeping their wheel prices low.
Both are really good points. Here we are after all these years and the Hed 3 is still the wheel every other one is compared to. It’s a tough wheel to beat for many reasons including speed and durability. As far as inflation - while the price has gone up over the years, what hasn’t? I actually think Hed has done a really good job of keeping their wheel prices low.
A Cervelo P2k/P1.
Thanks for doing this research. I’ve been bothered a bit by the same issue since at least 2005…
Now, does someone know the exact expiration date of the patent Hed holds for the H3? I think H3s are turning 30 pretty soon. Once this is out of the way, the potential is there for knock off wheels to force the price down.
Some back of the envelope calculations (i.e quantity/quality of materials, layup structure etc.) would suggest the H3 could be manufactured for about $30/wheel as it is or $40 for a higher end version (better quality carbon and resins) A substantial capital lockup in inventory is required however, yet the markup at wholesale level is in line with the reward one gets for successfully smuggling cocaine from Colombia into California…
