I’m sure this question has been ask a million times but, mine is more so around body weight and experience with this wheel set.
So. I’m looking to purchase the Hed Jet 6/9 combo with the intention of using it as an “all condition” race wheel set. However, I’m a fairly light rider about 150lbs, so am I going to get blown off my bike on windy days? Is this wheel set appropriate for courses like IMCDA? I’ve only raced once with a carbon wheel set (a borrowed a pair of Zip 404s tubular). Would I be safer with a Jet 4 / 6 combo or Jet 6 / 6 combo instead? What has your over all experience been with the newer C2 clincher rims?
I don’t think you’ll have any problems with that wheelset. It sounds like an excellent all-around choice to me. I raced a Jet90 C2 front and Jet disc a bunch last year and loved them. The 90 can be a bit much as a front wheel in heavy wind, but as a rear wheel it shouldn’t bother you. And the Jet 6 on the front is about the same as a Zipp 404 in terms of rim profile. That’s not a hard wheel to handle at all.
As for the C2, what a simple innovation. I won’t say whether or not I believe it’s the way the tire mates to the rim, or the way the wider rim makes for a shorter contact patch, or whether just running lower pressure makes for a more comfortable and less taxing ride or exactly what it is that makes it work, but my experience running the C2 just on the front has been … WOW! It works. I can’t say that I’ve read a single negative comment about the C2 rim concept from anyone who’s actually used it. You just have to make sure your chainstays have enough clearance for it.
Only the front wheel is a real concern in the wind, as the back actually helps stabilize the bike. that being taken into consideration the jet 60 is the same depth as the 404 (58mm)
I’m the same weight and you can’t go wrong with that wheelset!! I will also be using it for the majority of this year and recommend it to all of my athletes. I’ve done a HED 60 front with Jet Disc and was fine, the only problem I had was post race easy cruising back to the hotel when the wind picked up ALOT!
The biggest concern is that you know how to handle your bike, with any sort of skill in the bike handling department you’ll be fine.
I just bought a JET C2 6/9 combination to use instead of Zipp 404/808.
I’m 145lb and use the above combinations on any course in any condition, regardless of hills or cross winds. It keeps things simple.
The front wheel is what gets twitchy in strong gusty cross winds, and my experience with a 404 is that this is fine even on super windy gusty days e.g. in Hawaii or Silverman this year, so the C2 6 should also be fine.
Not so HED 3’s though, I sold mine a few years ago because of their twitchy’ness in strong gusty cross winds. Spoked wheels are also more comfortable in longer races.
A deeper rear such as 808 or C2 9 if anything helps keep you more stable - as disc owners often comment.
So glad to have found this thread, for I’ve been researching the same wheelset for CdA. Unless some unbelievable offer lands in my lap for a similar set, it’ll be a 6/9 set for me, too.
Just curious, why does everyone seem to go for the 60/90 combo rather than the HED 3. The wind tunnel testing indicated the HED 3 is better at just about all angles. What am I missing? Is it because the HED 3 is a harsher ride?
I switched from years of riding the HED3 to a 90/90 or 90/disc setup. The 90’s are a faster wheel in the real world. The HED3 is harsher then the 90’s. The HED3 had me moving all over the bike to stay comfortable, unlike the 90’s. Any advantage you had with the HED3 is wiped away by the need to move around and comfort. The 90’s, for me, are a much faster and easier to run off of wheel, then the HED3’s.
However, I’m a fairly light rider about 150lbs, so am I going to get blown off my bike on windy days?
Hate to break it to you, but in the world of competitive triathlon and cycling, 150 pounds is not light, especially if you throw the women’s in the mix who ride the same gear.
Get the deepest wheels you can afford. 90/Jet Disc for instance, or 90/90.
I haven’t said this in at least a few months now, but handling issues associated with deep wheels and winds are an urban legend spread mostly by people who have never ridden a deep wheelset. The myth is that by removing the deep wheels that handling is suddenly perfect in any condition. That reality is that if you can’t handle a 90 front in strong wind you are going to struggle with a 40mm or less wheel as well. Learn how to handle your bike confidently, then you can ride the most aerodynamic choice all the time without hesistation.
Final thought. Weight of rider really has nothing to do with it. It is all about skill and confidence. A 125 female can ride a deeper wheelset in strong winds than a 180 pound guy if she has better bike handling.
I have been using specialized trispokes never had a handling issue and never thought the ride was harsh (I weigh 160). My biggest complaint is filling them with air and getting a reliable air pressure is a two person job. I love my wife and she could do many things perfect but for some reason she can't hold a crack pipe still or push a pump past 100 psi. Also, the hubs have a little bit of play so when you hit bumps they rattle a bit.
I just bought a pair of 60/60 c2 Heds and they also have very slight play in the hub. I was pretty shocked when I mounted them and noticed it. In all the discussion about these wheels I never heard anyone mention this.
