Thought I might be able to get some feedback from this group. Recently purchased a Renn Disc, mostly based on the information from this forum. I now need a front wheel to go with this. I was considering a HED 3 but have seen the Spinergy Rev X’s going for much less. Are there any real advantages and disadvantages to this? I am 6’ and anout 180 lbs. Thanks.
Also, I have a pair of 2002 Zipp 404 clinchers in great shape I am willing to sell. New bike is a 700c.
Of the two I’d go Hed3, on a tri-bike it’s just cooler. For the money though I’d wait and see what the new Renn wheel looks like. (assuming it actually comes out this year.)
Agree the HED 3 is cooler looking and you know how us triathletes like to look cool. I am just wondering in it is $200 cooler and really that much better?
When I ordered my Renn disc I asked Frank about the front wheel is is going to make. It will only be a 30mm aero rim. I wanted something a little deeper. He said it should be out in a couple of months. He is a great guy to talk too and learn from. Thanks
The Rev-x is unique in that it is the only wheel to offer any suspension effect. The negative is that some of the wheels do not hold up well and I do not believe Spinergy has any Rev-X wheels left for warranty replacement.
The good features of the Hed3 are great aerodynamics and durability. The negatives are cost and that some are straighter than others. Handling is also an issue with some riders.
Personally, I would look for a Hed CX, Zipp 404, Campy Shamal/Vento, etc. They handle better, can be trued as needed, and the CX and Shamal/Vento go pretty cheap on ebay. The Zipp, while crazy expensive as a complete wheel, is light and is available rim-only so you can have a little more variety and save some cash.
I have a Renn disk for my TT bike and currently use a Spinergy Rev-X on the front end.
Some people comment on the fact that older Rev-X’s had a propensity to fail rather abruptly. I logged nearly 30,000 miles between two sets which included a near 40-mph get off (pulled foot out of pedal during sprint - sheesh) miles and the only time I ever say one fail was in the last 500-meters of the BMC road race in Houston in 2000 when two guys got together right in front of me going into the last corner. One rider put his pedal into the other riders front wheel which then instantly shed the carbon spokes and both riders went down but this would have been the case regardless of the wheels involved. I must say though that even though I know the history of my Rev-X’s from the day they first went on a bike, I would be leary to buy one from someone else and then go ride it in competition. Most likley the 2 Spinergy Rev-X’s that I use are going to be replaced with something like the Spinergy Tillium or a Zipp 404.
Keep the front 404. Why would you want to get rid of it for a heavier wheel that you can’t true? Maybe get a Hed-3 in addition, but not instead of what you’ve got. (Unless your Renn is a tubular. Then I’d want to be riding a tubie up front as well. I’d probably still get a 404 though.)
So yourold bike had 650’s…and that is the size of your 404 set?
Are the 404’s 700’s? If so, keep the 404’s…I am confused as to why you would want to get rid of a realtively new set of excellent race wheels such as the 404’s. for…sniffle, sniffle, smirk…uhh…SPinergy’s.
Forget about the Spinergy. That is a peice of shit.
Keep the 404’s. Race the front 404 wheel with the renn disc and keep the rear 404 for a back-up race wheel. Put the money youd spend on other front wheels into the bank or use it for race applications…
Sorry, should have been more clear. My new bike has 700c on it whereas my old bike was 650c. So now I am trying to figure out what type of front wheel to add to my new bike for races. The Zipp 404s are 650s so i am trying to get rid of them.
Graz, thanks for the direct comments. Spinergy is out, at least a used one.
Sell the pair of 404’s. With the money, buy a single front 404 from ZIPP in a tubular. I personally prefer a deep front wheel over a tri spoke front. Race that with the Renn disc and you should be good to go.
Have you considered a front HED Alp? Or are you 100% set on the HED3?
Sorry Steve, I misunderstood. I agree with Graz about getting a 404 front. But, allow me to make my usual pitch…
While I think the 404 is a fantastic and sexy wheel, why not consider something else? I only have one front race wheel, so I wanted it to be one that I’d use on any course. Tri-spokes didn’t make the cut because of the cross section, plus I wanted to save some cash. The Alps and 404s were high on the list, but again, I didn’t want to be riding these wheels in really high and gusty crosswinds. So I was looking at a 303 and a Nimble Fly for the front. These are wheels I could use in any conditions. If I got the cash later, I could get a tri spoke or a 404.
I went with the Fly and ride a Renn/Fly in all of my races. I saved lots of cash and am really happy with my choice. I think the 303 is also a great choice and am suprised I don’t see them in more races.
Here’s another Idea if you are running clinchers…American Classic 420 on the front. Granted, they only have a 34mm rim, but isn’t that close too the Zipp 303’s? Just about the same cost and weight of the Nimble.
Is there any concrete data to say that a 58mm rim is that much faster than a 34mm rim? I’m starting to wonder.
I am going to vote for the Hed 3. I have sold a ton of them, raced on them and had good luck. It is a tough wheel to beat on the road or in the wind tunnel.
Hey Tom,
the guys at my LBS (all of whom seem fairly experienced or i’d just discount their opinions) are passionately opposed to HED tri-spokes, citing bearing problems, carbon problems, you name it. have you heard any such claims? seems like you like them alot, and you sure seem to know of which you speak…any thoughts?
I can recount numerous “horror stories” concerning just about any wheel made in the last 20 years. My point is, there is ALWAYS going to be a crowd who will tell you you made a poor decision and they’re sure they have the evidence to back it up. Most of the time its just hearsay and bs. Sometimes it might even be true. But no company is immune from bad apples.
I trained and raced on a set of Specialized TriSpokes for over 12 years. I sold those when I decided to go to 650 on my tri bike. That ended up being a VERY poor decision. The 650 tri bike didn’t even last an entire season (an unfortunate mishap with a pickup truck). Its replacement is back to 700c. I missed those Trispokes so much that I bought a brand spankin’ new pair of H3s for racing. They are a damn fine wheel, to my experience, which includes Zipp 4xx, Spinergy Rev-X, Campy Shamal, and now Reynolds, the H3 (or old Trispokes) are the best racing wheels out there short of discs, unless you are TTing up Alpe d’Huez. You can race and train on them without fear, unless you are one of those brainless brutes who doesn’t lift over potholes and railroad tracks. I used to only take the Trispokes off the bike for rainy training only. These days I have more $, and so more options (H3, Alps, Mavic Cosmos and Classics, and PT Pro/CXP-33 wheels, and a soon to be added Renn 575). I still would choose the H3 for 90% of my racing.
The Spinergy Rev-Xs were a decent wheel, but there is very little support left for them these days. Look for an old set of Specialized Trispokes. If they are still true (which is highly likely given their bombproof nature), then you can buy with confidence. They are essentially the same wheel as the H3 and you can get parts to rebuild them fairly cheaply if you ever manage to wear them out.
You may also want to check out X-Treme wheels, very nice, lightest tri-spoke made.