Would love someone to compare and contrast the above wheelsets.
I am currently riding with the Ksyrium’s, and looking at buying dedicated race wheels. I can get what appears to be a great deal on the HED range through their Australian distributor, but wondered if someone could illuminate me as to why the Jet 60 retails for less than the Ksyrium, which is in turn less expensive than the Alps? Does cheaper always mean lesser quality?
As a consumer it does not make a lot of sense to buy a wheelset that is less expensive than your existing set; therefore buying the Jet 60 is counter-intuitive, and the Alps a better bet. But if both the Jet 60 AND the Alps would be a faster wheelset (all other things being equal), then I would definitely go with the less expensive option.
At this stage, I am pretty confused.
On the Hed website their data shows that the Alps are a little more aero than the Jet 60’s. I can’t comment from experience except for the 60’s. They are a good wheel but if you run 60’s front /rear I’ve noticed that they are mildly effected by cross winds at times. I notice it less when running a disc on the rear and 60 on the front. http://www.hedcycling.com/wheelchooser.htm
I think the big difference between the Alps and the Jet is the jet is a carbon fiber wrap and provides no structural advantages. The alps are constructed with the carbon providing support, similiar to how the made the Hed Stingers (which if you can find one, other than mine, is one fu**ing kick a$$ wheel) but with and AL rim. I own a jet and have ridden my friends Alps. Given the choice I’d go Alps in the front and the Jet 90 in the rear.
The Jet is a cheaper wheel, but not necessarily a lower quality wheel. The R&D is paid off (as the non-structural carbon fairing is cheap to produce), as well as the fact that, yes, indeedy, Mavic charges a lot higher prices for everything they do (my blunt opinion).
The only wheel that Mavic produces that is similar to the Jet is the Cosmic Carbone. We all know how expensive this wheelset is. I am not going after Mavic, as I like many things that they produce; but their boutique wheels are vastly overpriced (like their disc and their i/o track wheel), and I think of their Cosmic Carbone as in the same league.
The Ksyrium is a semi-aero section wheel with a really cool spoke arangement (no rim tape for clinchers). This would be great for road racing. But the Jet is a great specialty wheel, and I think it is the best bargain out of the whole lot of the Hed spoked wheels. I would even get it with Ultegra hubs, if it were me.
One thing I may add is this: I would say to get a J2 front and a Jet Deep rear (if they still make the Hed Deep). This would be something that would give you good control and decent aerodynamics. If you are a bit heavier and a very good bike handler, I would go with the Jet 60 front and Jet 90 in the rear.