I’ve narrowed down my race wheel purchase to either the Hed3s or Zipp 404s. Any reco’s/thoughts/expriences with either? I’ll be generally doing flat to mildly hilly races with a fair amount of turns (i.e. not 20K straight in either direction).
Thanks for the input.
Aerodynamically speaking, they are very similar
I race the H3 by choice, and just sold my 404, was not using it
Although a bit heavier, to me the H3 just feels a bit faster and more solid
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Actually, I had H3’s last year and got rid of them because the 404’s felt faster. I think it’s largely a personal preferance thing. I like the zipp wheels and I love the zipp customer service.
I don’t have any experience riding Hed3s, but from what I’ve read the two wheels are very close aerodynamically (with a slight advantage to the trispoke). The 404s are lighter and may handle a little better in heavy crosswinds. Zipps are also more expensive retail wise than the Heds.
They’re both great wheels. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.
Assuming tubular, I have the 404s and they are awesome. Light, aero, and fast. I have never ridden the clincher 404 or the H3
I like the H3’s. bombproof, and have an alu braking surface.
I rode H3 for a long time now and they are awesome wheels but switched to Velomax Tempest II tubulars (404 rim and very similar wheel to the 404). The zipp will feel much softer, they are. So, if you’re looking for comfort, the zipp’s (velomax, american classics) are hard to beat. If you’re looking for a wheels that lasts forever, the H3 is hard to beat. Go tubular in any case, which might be hard to find on the H3 side…
flip a coin. that will be the correct answer. heads for hed, tails for zipps. best of 3 out of 5.
I have ridden and like both, I went with Zipp 303 tubs and a disc, if its windy, hilly or lots of stopping and starting, nothing accellerates like 303’s and I just use the disc when conditions permit(its a Renn).
I’ve got a set of 303 tubies also, and love them. I got an incredible deal on them through Tri Zone, which is one of the reasons why I swayed towards the 303 vs. the 404. Also, my light body weight was a factor.
----->Trent
Just to be a jackass today. . .
In the words of our moderator. . .
“If you’re going to get race wheels. . .get RACE wheels!”
Go deep or stay at home. . .The difference in handling between 303s and 404s does not override the aero benefits of the full 404.
On the original topic. . .I’m with the poster recommending coin flips. They’re both great solutions.
I’ve raced on both, adn think they are both great wheels.
One reason to consider the 404’s (or another company’s brand with the same rim) is they make great wheels for road races. I’m focusing on road racing now, the 404’s are great for both TT’s(404 front, disk back) and road races(404 front and back).
If you’re only going to do Tri’s, I agree with the flipping a coin method. If there is even a chance you might do some road racing in the next few years, get the 404’s.
Scott
FYI, looks like the state USCF TT is a go for the 19th, near Palmdale, waiting on the permits but should have them this week (Marty from Velosport is setting it all up, same guy that runs Santiago TT, spoke with him yesterday)
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Lance Armstrong has been using the H3 front wheel for a long time, even before he was sponsored by Hed. He has access to the best experts and test facilities in the world, so if you’re going for speed, I’d choose the same wheels he is using in time trials.
The one catch is I believe that the H3 front wheel is not allowed at the Hawaii Ironman. If you are planning to race Hawaii, I’d select a wheel that is legal there.
One final thought: My Specialized trispokes (H3 predecessors) went out of round after less than a season and are now being converted to end-tables. My 2002 rear Zipp disk has a poorly designed hub that has much more friction than I would expect from a $1,000 wheel. I need to baby it with frequent maintenance to keep it smooth. My Falcon Accell II rear disk had a very poorly designed hub and I sold it through eBay because I couldn’t stand working on it and never got it dialed in. Conversely, I own Campagnolo Scirocco, Shamal, Nucleon, and two generations of custom build Record-hubbed wheels and my roommate has Proton wheels, and all of them are outstanding in every way. Perfectly smooth hubs, wheels come delivered and stay straight and true, wheels have held up amazingly well after crashes in road races. You might want to consider buying a set of Campy aero wheels. I have found that their workmanship and durability are worth the extra few grams.
-Marc
PS: It may read that way, but I am not a gear freak— I have been racing road races and tris for 22 years.
Marc, and all, thanks for the input. It is much appreciated. Bottom line, either way I pretty much can’t make a bad decision.
I ride H3’s and if I had to do over, I would go H3 front and Renn Disc in the rear. On windy days just race with the front and leave the disc at home. I live in FL is most of my races are on the flats.