I am ready to buy a new set of powertap wheels but want some advice. I am torn between the Ardennes or Jet 6.
I race tri and am contemplating a bit of road racing. I have a 82mm deep front wheel I have used for tri’s (disc cover rear). Because of that, I am drawn towards the Ardennes. I could use a cover on the rear for races and use my previous race wheel up front.
On the other hand, going with the Jet6’s I would have another front depth for races, a more versatile rear (could run the wheel as is on windy days, throw on a cover for others. Plus the set of Jet6’s would allow a nice set to race road!
A few major items are making me lean towards the Ardennes:
1: price
2: these will be used primarily for training
3. I’m a little worried about the “flimsy” feeling of the Jet 6 fairing for my regular daily grind in groups etc…
4: putting on “race” wheels gets me excited to race, so training with my race wheels would take that feeling away.
5: I don’t really want to be “that guy” that shows up to group rides with deep race wheels.
Please share advice! Advice from those who have ridden both will be much appreciated!
Go for the jets because they are probably faster than your current 82 front and covers on a deep rear wheel end up being pretty darn close to a jet disc in shape.
As far as changing tires goes, I did a wide rim all by hand yesterday and it was no big deal.
I loved my Jets, but have never ridden the Ardennes. I wouldn’t worry about the ‘flimsy’ nature of the fairing - I never had any problems with them. Go for it.
Do you realise that both wheels have the same rims? The difference between the two would be the hubs depending on which Ardennes you choose and the Jets just have a non structural carbon fairing mated to exact same rim. Both will ride pretty much the same feeling wise minus the extra aero effect of the fairing.
I loved my Jets, but have never ridden the Ardennes. I wouldn’t worry about the ‘flimsy’ nature of the fairing - I never had any problems with them. Go for it.
+1
I have jet 6s and use them everyday wheels since they have a PT hub. No issues. I like being ‘that guy’ during group rides - they make my road bike look badass
Been road racing on the Jet 60’s with a PT for 3 seasons now. They are a fantastic, low maintenance wheel. Very fast. No regrets.
Though I originally bought them as a race and training set I do use them race only (so I’m not burning race tires up all summer). I have a second PT set (HED Belgiums) that I abuse for training.
As noted, wheels have the same C2 rim. I have the Jet 7’s that I train on and use for windier races (otherwise its a Jet H3/Disc combo). This is my first set of HED’s and would highly recommend the 6’s. I personally like racing on the wheels I train on, so no surprises come race day. The fairing is a little different then a full carbon structure, but have not found them flimsy in any capacity and I like having the underlying C2 rim structure and braking surface. Don’t let being “that guy” be a factor. Who cares anyway and let your performance do the talking. And for changing tires, the wider rim actually makes it easier in my experience to mount the tires. I think the 6’s give you more options.
I ended up going with the Jet 6’s! Tough choice, thanks for the advice. I think I will end up keeping them on my tri bike (riding 1-2 x/week, and races of course!), keeping my standard training wheels (no powertap) on my road bike for group rides. I don’t really need power on my group rides anyways plus I don’t want to risk a wreck. In my eyes, if I am not actively “using” power data during a ride, I don’t need it. Sure I could look back and analyze it, but if group rides are truly dictated by the group, knowing my power will not change those rides. On the other hand, my solo Tri rides will be hugely benefited from my powertap
