I want to build a Powertap SL into a racing and training wheelset for road, and was considering using Mavic Open Pros again until I found out that I could get it built into a HED Alps rim.
Is the Alps durable enough for everyday training? The rim is aluminum clincher, so I believe it sould hold up well.
Thoughts?
i had a similar post about a month ago and the verdict was an overwhelming yes to both…i’ve been too lazy to put a cassette on them and use them yet, but soon i’ll know too.
Did you get them built with a Powertap?
I will search back the posts, thanks for the info
The Alps are very durable. I have a few heavy freinds that ride them. If you are still doubtful, ask Anne to build you the clysedale version.
sorry, no PT…just the straight Alps…do they make a PT hub with the right amount of spokes?
The PT SL hub comes in a 24h drilling, same as the rear Alps, so it should work.
I have a powertap built into a HED alps. It is my all around training and racing wheel.
The good news is it’s held up fine over the last year, but then again I am really easy on wheels. My previous full-time set was Rolf Vectors that went two years without needing a true.
The bad news is they don’t really lace perfectly with the deep rims. I got a 24 spoke powertap hub, and HED did the lacing. The problem is the spokes come to the rim at a slight angle so they are rubbing the fairing section. It’s not a major problem, but there are slight cracks in the carbon around several spokes. This condition hasn’t changed in the last year however. It’s also harder to true, but I haven’t really bothered. Its probably wobbles +/- 1mm right now, and that’s not enough for me to care. The wheel flexes more than my vector did, but this really has no effect on how I ride.
Finally, you can buy/build powertap SLs into zipp wheels now. Even the 808. Check out their zipp’s website. That is a very pricey option however.
I spent a long time researching this before buying my PT and came to the conclusion that the extra $200-$300 of getting the PT in an Alps was not worth the maybe 100-200 grams I would be saving. The problem with any PT wheel is the heavy hub not the rim. And I imagine that the aerodynamics of a HED alps in the rear are not that significant advantage either.
Gary, I have the same setup…I use my Alps for everything. I think they are pretty durable wheels.
That said, I did recently break a spoke in the front Alps wheel. Would you believe that is the first spoke I’ve EVER broken in 23+ years of riding bikes seriously? Frankly, I chalk it up to that particular spoke, and not wheels… The plus side is that I was able to ride nearly 2 hours more to get home on that front wheel with the spoke broken without serious issue… Just want to be fair about writing that I think these are durable wheels.
As always, Hed customer service has been great in dealing with the issue.
Gary,
I have a set of Hed Alps - the rear has a PT SL hub. I’ve only ridden mine (well actually only the rear as I only put the front on in races) about 600-700 miles. The spoke lacing on mine seems to be a little more curved than regular wheels - ? due to the deeper rim? I have had no cracking of carbon but the wheel is out of true - I have not measured but I’d guess a few mm (a noticable/decent wobble when you spin it in the bike). I’m 150 lbs and ride pretty good roads yet there is a hily route I do that has some good cracks in the asphalt that thump the wheels pretty hard at 40 mph. To compare - my Mavic Krysium (?sp) are very true and they have 1000’s of miles and my Velomax Circuit training wheels (also 1000+) are only off by maybe 1 mm.
I did compare the Alps to my Velomax and the Alps pair is about 1/2 mph faster over a 20 mile out and back course at 7000 feet/140 watts/20.3 mph/350 feet of climbing/no wind/smooth roads…and they’ll only get better at sea level or with wind (right?).
Dave