I’m planning on getting (via “Santa”) new wheels for X-Mas, and can’t decide if I should get a pair of H3’s, or get an H3 front and Hed disc rear. I don’t have any real race wheels now (I got a P3 from “Santa” last year, with stock CaneCreek Volos). I do mostly sprint and international distance du’s, with a sprint tri here and there. I’m an OK athlete, usually top 10 overall in Du’s, always 1/2/3 in age group (old! 40). I bike in the 23 - 24.5 mph range during races. The races I do I generally consider “flat” (mostly NJ/NY, east coast), but some aren’t. I can’t get spousal permission for a disk and an H3 rear (3 daughters under the age of 6). I’d love to have a disc (the thought of a disc with the P3 cutout is enticing), but the H3 rear sounds more practical for courses where there are hills.
Sorry, but you need some tough love…
Do you seriously think you’ll notice the extra 200 grams that a disk weighs over a H3? Put on the thinking cap here. The disk is more aero all the time. The weight is barely a factor to start with, but it is only a disadvantage on the uphill anyway. 200 grams equates to about .25% of your total riding weight.
Serious suggestion. Buy a Renn Disc. Weighs 1120 grams, so only 120 grams more than a H3. Same aero benefit, and costs much less.
Disk, disk, disk, disk, disk, disk, disk.
Got it? 
If you want a lighter set, the hew HED H3 and Disc come in full carbon versions, the disc is 950 gms for the 700c (tubular):
Catalog:
Gary,
You said the new HED 3 comes in full carbon. Does this include the clincher, like the Corima with no metal on the rim?
Thanks,
i believe both the new H3 Carbon and the new carbonlite disc are tubular only. However, it was also my impression that neither were available at this time and may not be ready for quite some time. Any word on availability? (Santa is also hoping to bring me a HED dics but wants to know whether he should wait for the carbonlite.)
fyi - got word from hed that the carbon H3 should be ready “about april” and the disc “may take until may or june.” H3 front = $580; Disc = $700. (if you are planning to use them to race in 2004 also bear in mind TDs justified rant re: vaporwear).
Gary,
You said the new HED 3 comes in full carbon. Does this include the clincher, like the Corima with no metal on the rim? yep, just like Corima, tubular and flat, and weighs about the same at 1000g or so. the h3 is also all carbon and tubular **** carbon braking surfaces on both, so, less power on the front wheel, may be better to go with the aluminum rim version
Thanks,
Thanks Felix…
By the way, nice homepage