I am trying to decide on race wheels for next season. I have used Zipp 404, 909 and 999 wheel sets in the past. I really liked my 404’s the best, didn’t seem significantly faster with the disc (although I am sure it was fatser), and didn’t really like the 999 with the 808 up front. I am not sure why, but for what no good reason, I think I would like the 606 the best.
The problem is the the price. While I love Zipp wheels the price for their wheels are getting a little bit out of my reach. My friend has a pair of the Hed Stinger wheels with a 60 up front and a 90 in the rear. These are really nice wheels and I am very impressed with them. I assume that aerodynamics are a wash between the 60/90 and the 606 set so what reason would there be to not get the Heds? I am running tubular tires so the clincher debate is not in play. The Heds retail for about $1200 and the Zipps for $1850. I am having trouble coming up with any good reasons why I should spend extra for the Zipp 606 wheels. Am I missing something significant here? If not, why don’t I see more of these wheels out there at the races? Are they just too new? I don’t think I saw one set of Hed Stingers at IMWI last weekend. Seems a no-brainer, but there must be some reasons. Anyone have any thoughts or opinions either way on which way I should go? Thanks!
Below is a photo of my kid on its way to win last month the Triathlon Nationals on the 60/90mm Stinger set you are considering. He also finished 5th at the Road Nationals on his 60/60mm Stinger set.
His average speed on the bike leg at the Nationals was 4.2 kph faster than the average speed of the 2nd to 5th place. The only thing I can say besides this is that I am very satisfied with these wheels and with the service HED has provided.
I am not a big fan of a 50 front. If they had a 60 I would be interested. Plus, the price still is cheaper for the Hed’s and they have been around a little longer. Also, I live about 10 miles from the Hed shop in Minnesota. Service wouldn’t be a problem as I could just stop in.
Maybe I should put it another way. What makes people buy Zipps (404/606/808) over the Hed Stingers in the same size/depth? There must be a reason even if it isn’t avery good one. The price alone should make most go for the Heds- shouldn’t it?
Supposedly, the hubs are better on Zipps. I’ve had both and even with the dimples, you can’t tell the difference ; ) Get the Heds and save the money for some other toy.
I’d say reputation is what separates them but I have no idea why. Hed has every bit the warranty that Zipp does and their stuff is so close in terms of performance (you gonna notice a second or two when you lose it in TZ anyway?). I think it comes down to marketing and here Zipp definitely has the upper hand. Don’t know if Hed gets enough respect in the grand Tours that Zipp does but they should.
One thing that I have noticed, and have discussed with a few friends, is that some shops just don’t carry Hed products. Back in the day for instance, you would go to an IM and see them at the expo- not any more. I wonder if some shops receive better pricing from wheel manufacturers if they choose not to carry another competitors wheels? Seems silly, but I know of at least several top tri shops that don’t carry anything but Zipp. This isn’t meant to bash Zipp, becasue like I’ve said, I love their wheels. Just seems like we almost have a monopoly here. I just have to think that anyone with half a brain would choose the Heds over the Zipps in this case, but that clearly isn’t the case. At least not that I have noticed at races. Just curius as to why folks choose one over the other. In the past I jave chosen Zipps because that is what my LBS has had. Of course, once you have Zipps you usually want them- again, and again, and again. I don’t know shrug
I guess it depends on where you live. I have 606s that I got an unbelievable deal on. However, if I was to replace them, I would be looking at the Stinger 60/90 combo…there’s just not $600 worth of difference.
The Zipp disks are significantly lighter than the HED disks and some of the other HED wheels. I think all of the Zipp tubulars are near class leading on weight. That plus the perceived hub quality probably help with the general distinction of quality with Zipp products. The Stingers are light though, probablyl pretty comparable to the comparable Zipp wheels.
I agree about the disc wheel. Hed doesn’t have anything close right now. Maybe in the future? Of course it doesn’t really matter to me at this point as I will probably not look at getting a disc again. Want to be able to race it at Kona if I should ever qualif…err, I mean win the lottery :).
I think once the Stingers get some wide spread visibility they will havea real good chance to bite into the Zipp market share. They just seem to nice and too reasonably priced not to.
Why are the Zipp clinchers better? I’m contemplating new race wheels and am leaning towards clinchers rather than tubs. I’m prepared to pay a weight penalty for being able to fix flats more easily and not having to worry about gluing and re-gluing. I can’t feel any difference versus a decent clincher in road feel or speed.
I asked myself the same question recently. I just bought a new pair of Zipp 808’s. Why? Because in my head I think I will be faster due to lower weight, better hubs and that Zipp just seems to be more cutting edge in technology. Will I be faster than if I were riding a pair of Stingers ?? probably not. I have owned 404’s and loved them. I have owned Hed’s and loved them. Still have Hed Disc and 404’s. So in short, buy what turns you on!
Uh-oh. Here we go. IMHO- the Zipp clincher wheels are better than what Hed offers. I am not a huge fan of the Jets. They are a basically a thin hollow fairing over the spokes. Just seems too cheap to me. I heard they can even fill with water, but I don’t know if that is true or not. I am sure they are just as aero as the Zipps but are significantly heavier. I guess I would just prefer the Zipp clincher versus the Hed Jets. Of cousre now we are talking a huge price difference versus a smaller one for the Zipp versus Stingers.
