Can I get some pos/neg feedback on those that use or have used the clincher HED H3’s??
Thanks…
G
I’m at a loss. Why clinchers for a race wheel? Tubies are so much more puncture resistant and have less rolling resistance as well, or so I’ve been led to believe.
I’ve been racing on tubies for five years and have NEVER flatted in a race. I do carry a spare, just in case.
I used tubies way back when. Just like the cost of the clinchers especially since I plan on training with the H3’s as well…I know tubies are supposed to be faster,etc…depending on whom you talk too. and I know the wheelset is is lighter with tubies…just a preference…no real reason except for cost…
G
Who said he was using them as “race wheels”? I see nothing in his question that leads you to that conclusion.
I use a set of HED3 (actually an old set of Specialized) clinchers EVERYDAY for training. I love them and have switched to Tufo tubular clinchers and love them, too. they are awesome tires. I like the ride, the handling and no pinch flats.
The HED3’s are totally bomb proof. I for one do not beleive in “race only wheels”. If I spent a fortune on wheels, then by God, I’m riding them any time I please!! I like knowing exactly how the race wheels will act in a race, on a downhill, in the wind…etc… I’ve had these wheels for many many years and they still look and ride as new. AND I can’t say they were “never crashed” or “ridden lightly” or “gently used”. Hell…I ride 'em everyday and darn proud of it.
NOW…for races…I own another complete set of HED3C and HED3D tubulars!! Yes…I train on those once per week…normally for my Sunday ride!!
Thanks for the feed back.
I was wondering about those tufo tubbie clinchers. Glad to hear they work on the H3’s. I will have to give them a try.
Do you notice the difference with the H3’s in speed and holding that speed?
I got an awesome deal from HED on a set. They gave me a great military discount. Cant wait to get them, I think they are going to look awesome on my P3SL…
Thanks again…
G
As you increase speed you’ll notice the difference. Once you “wind them up” they hold the speed easier.
They aren’t quite as compfy as a 32 spoke…but who cares, I ride Zipp 2001’s.
Hey…ask 'em for another discount set…I’ll buy 'em from ya!! : )
The Tufo Tubbie Clinchies…are easy to mount. I didn’t even stretch 'em and they popped right on in just a few minutes. it took more time to figure out exactly what holds the darn things on.
If we were into comfort, we would sit on the couch all day!
Dont you have a buddy in the military?
the only thing with the rear was that its .031 out of true…but the price could not be beat…
Do you notice the difference with the H3’s in speed and holding that speed?
Using one currently as a front wheel for racing and I can certainly tell you it feels like once it’s up to speed, it wants to stay there. Very happy thus far.
AWESOME…I cant wait to be a happy user too!
I’m at a loss. Why clinchers for a race wheel? Tubies are so much more puncture resistant and have less rolling resistance as well, or so I’ve been led to believe.
I’ve been racing on tubies for five years and have NEVER flatted in a race. I do carry a spare, just in case.
Wrong… and get over yourself 
another clincher user…
“Who said he was using them as ‘race wheels’? I see nothing in his question that leads you to that conclusion.”
-
- Sorry, I was just using common sense. I can’t afford to have a set of race wheels on which to train. I know the H3s are hard to damage, but it still doesn’t make sense to me to ride my best wheels day in and day out.
Certainly not if they’re tubies, which is all I race.
- Sorry, I was just using common sense. I can’t afford to have a set of race wheels on which to train. I know the H3s are hard to damage, but it still doesn’t make sense to me to ride my best wheels day in and day out.
“The HED3’s are totally bomb proof. I for one do not beleive in ‘race only wheels’. If I spent a fortune on wheels, then by God, I’m riding them any time I please!!”
-
- I’m on my second set of race-only wheels… actually, the same Cx front, but I’ve upgraged to a disc on the rear. I once made the mistake of training on my race wheels and broke a spoke and had to break out my Rolfs for race day. Probably not much slower, but emotionally I get off by dragging out the race setup. I added a race-only bike last year, which I occasionally take out for training rides, but with the Rolf wheels. If I rode the race bike with the race wheels day in and day out, I think I’d lose that emotional high on race day.
“NOW…for races…I own another complete set of HED3C and HED3D tubulars!! Yes…I train on those once per week…normally for my Sunday ride!!”
-
- OK, so you DON’T use your race wheels for everyday riding?
I guess if I had enough money to be able to afford a few more bikes and a few more sets of wheels, I’d ride better ones more often. If I wreck my disc, I’ll play hell convincing a my CFO that I need to replace it right away. I’m currently calling in all my brownie points to fund a new wetsuit…
another clincher user…
Actually I have clincher and tubular wheels… pros and cons to each…
There’s no getting over me…
And I’m right. I’m not sure what point you’re contesting, but I’m never wrong.
Advocate THIS!!
¦:o)/
Clincher racer here, too. Train and race on my HED-3 rear, HED Jet front. Never flatted in a race, ever. Yep, lucky. I love the HED-3s. Have raced HED-3s front and back, too, and love it. The humming noise of the HED-3 front while you’re in your aeros is very soothing!
Tubies are so much more puncture resistant and have less rolling resistance as well
Puncture resistance is not a function of whether the tire is a tubular or clincher… tubular tires will not “snake-bite” or pinch-flat but properly inflating your clincher tires prevents that… puncture resistance is a function of the construction and material of the tire.
Regarding rolling resistance, various independant and mfg. tests have shown that in general clinchers have less rolling resistance than tubulars, most concluding that the mounting glue was the culprit.
There are many other pros and cons to each, however your conclusions are simply not true for the reasons stated.
I’m at a loss. Why clinchers for a race wheel?
That’s where you need to get over yourself
Have you ever used a disc? Have you ever had a tough day on a windy course where you felt like you were hanging on for dear life? Two H3s in a crosswind could be dicey.
I noticed some time ago that my bike handles much better in crosswinds if the rear wheel has more surface area. I had the Cx on the front and tossed the Rolf on the rear while I was doing some tune up work. It was a blustery day and I thought I was going to die. I had experienced crosswinds before that with the Rolfs, but with the Cx (60mm rim depth) up front, it was much worse. So I went home and switched to the disc and it felt like the winds had stopped.
I get asked at races from time to time if I think it’s a good idea to run the disc, because it’s a windy day. I guess the misconception is widespread.
I’m 185, so the rear wheel even on windy days is typically a non-issue for me. Yes, the front is a major handling issue, which is why I typically use the Jet front. I used the HED-3 from for IMF, and thought it was a great wheel choice. We had 15 MPh winds. Anything over that, and the 3 front stays home. My last IM had 35+ winds. Life sucked that day! It was hard to stay in the aeros. Going 12 MPH in a dead strong headwind can be quite demoralizing. I saw one young, slim asian woman blown off the course. That day it was nice to be phat!
“Puncture resistance is not a function of whether the tire is a tubular or clincher… tubular tires will not “snake-bite” or pinch-flat but properly inflating your clincher tires prevents that… puncture resistance is a function of the construction and material of the tire.”
-
- So maybe tubies are just made of better stuff. I’ve seen dozens of people flat all around me on race day, but not me. Maybe my tubies are just better made, but I’ve trained on Conti, Specialized, Hutchinson, Vittoria, Michelen and a few others that I can’t remember, and my practical experience is that tubies are so far superior in this department as to be beyond debate. I’d say 50-100X better.
“Regarding rolling resistance, various independant and mfg. tests have shown that in general clinchers have less rolling resistance than tubulars, most concluding that the mounting glue was the culprit.”
-
- I’ve seen those reports, but clinchers are heavier, and I’m inclined to think that offsets the miniscule difference in RR.
“There are many other pros and cons to each, however your conclusions are simply not true for the reasons stated.”
I could be wrong, since I have no empirical data to back my conclusions, only practical experience: Racing on clinchers - many flats. Racing on tubies ZERO flats. Have I just had an incredible run of luck?
And I can’t get over myself, I’m all I’ve got…
“Yes, the front is a major handling issue, which is why I typically use the Jet front.”
The Jet is probably a 45 or 60mm depth? Either is going to present less surface area than the H3. Next time you get a blustery day, borrow a disc to run with the H3. I think you’ll be amazed.
It is nice to be phat. At 170, I hold my bike on the road better than some of the lightweights. Last year at CaliMan, the winds were fierce and came from all directions. Although it was annoying when it blew into my face, the only thing I noticed when it blew from the side was that a lot of people around me were struggling ot control their rides.