I’m in the market for some new wheels. The H3’s sure are sweet looking, but I’ve heard many, many good things about the 404’s.
I ride my road bike mostly to train - so I use my Ksyrium SSC SL’s for that.
I want to buy one set of good, all-around race wheels (for my tri bike)…that I can also ride on training rides w/o feeling the guilt of using them (cost).
Any suggestions?
THANKS!
This has got to be the most frequently asked question on this forum. We have been arguing it back and forth forever. Do a search in the archives and you'll see more posts than you'll want to read. Or save yourself the trouble and just get the Zipp clinchers; the best all around wheel out there.
I’ll offer my $0.02 and say, “Go w/HED3s” but I would still train on something else.
-gc
Well, your interest in training on them ma be a determining factor. You can repair a 404 if it breaks a spoke or replace the rim if you have a crash or chuck hole strike. No such luck on a HED 3.
I think the HED 3 is faster, but it must be replaced if damaged in a crash. That might be a fctor in your decision.
Tough decision. I sell both and they are both excellent. Sorry, I’m not much help…
“Tilium is like no other carbon wheel because of it’s metalized appearance.”
okay, so the selling point is the appearance?.. or is the appearance a consequence of some other structural feature? a bit of a non-sequitor here.
“The Tilium’s carbon rims are completely foam filled.”
Do watch out for this, because, if you use it for training, and you don’t shy away from riding in the rain, they will fill with water. The foam core will help trap even more water and hinder drying. All spoked deep-rim wheels do this, and even the non-spoked ones (ex: H3, through the valve hole).
The old Specialized TriSpoke is nearly identical to H3 (same patent/developer), has same aero numbers, and can often be had for <<$200 from E-bay or usenet.
The old Campy Shamal has drag numbers closer to H3 than almost anything else, and can also be had for <$200.
Both of the above are regarded as pretty much indestructible and have a bit of a cult following.
Keep in mind that them aero wheels buy ~1% power savings (>20mph), front one carrying ~0.75 and rear ~0.25 of that.
I’ve heard and know of people who have had serious problems with their 404s. mostly broken spokes, some broken hubs, usually as a result of riding them on bad roads–the norm here in the Philippines. you may have good roads so this may not be an issue for you. but i personally would not buy something without durability, especially for the prices of a new pair.
H3s, on the other hand, which I have, are simply bomb-proof. Unless you have a serious crash (in which case your wheels are the least of your problems), you will most likely only damage the rim–which as someone said will mean shipping them back for repair/replacement (which is possible). but i think that they will be less likely to break than zipps. they have been shown as well to be the fastest wheels next to discs. and, lastly, cheaper than zipps. they are a bit heavier but this will not affect your bike splits.
Kim