Trying to get into power relatively cheaply. I know lots advocate a training wheel w/ PT and using a cover for racing. How long does it really take (and how much of a pain is it) to put on and remove this thing before / after every race? Just don’t know if I want to have one more thing to do to get the rig race ready. It’s also a little harder pill to swallow since I already have race wheels.
Thanks
If you use the provided hardware, it takes a few minutes. If you want to have it look cooler and use tape, it takes longer.
The first time you do it, will be the longest because there is a little learning curve and there is a possibility that you will have to trim some of the cover away from the gears.
About 20 minutes the first time. Under 15 after that. I use the fasteners not tape. Tape works well if you have a deeper rim.
It really is a pretty easy process. The only tools you need are to remove the cassette and a small screwdriver or dime to tighten the fasteners.
Edit: Plus the time it takes you to put on a race tire and latex tube.
easy as can be – one simple suggestion --when taking the casette off – I put the pieces onto a rod (attached to a wittle wooden base) so that all the pieces are kept in their proper orientation.
I use the plastic fittings supplied and elect tape. It takes 15 minutes to put on. 10 minutes to take off.
It’s not a huge pill to swallow if you sell your current rear race wheel.
takes a little while, maybe 45 minutes total which includes removing and reinstalling the cassette as well and changing the tube and tire from the butyl tube training tire to the race tire with latex as well as fastening and then taping the cover. Not something I ever rush, sure I could do it much faster if I set my mind to it. I think it is easier than changing the brake pads and getting them adjusted like I had to do when I raced on those other type of wheels. Never liked doing that.
Very simple. Taking off the cassette is probably the toughest part, and that is pretty easy. If the disc was made for your type of wheel (wheel builders), it is a piece of cake. I am slow, and I would be hard pressed to spend more than 10-15 minutes.
Don’t be fooled. It’s not that easy. But it’s not too difficult either. You have to be proficient at removing the cassette and putting it back on. There are the screws that go all around it to sandwich it to your wheel. It’ll take you a good 15-20 minutes if you have the tools and know what you’re doing.
it takes me about 40mins to install the cover plus racing tires/tubes. i use both screws and electrical tape to get a smooth transition between the rim and the cover while keeping the cover away from the cassette. some people dont use the screw but instead tape the back of the cover to the spokes to get the same effect.
i enjoy prepping my bike for races and dont mind spending an hour getting ready.
“Proficient at removing the cassette”?
Well if that is the hardest part then it really is easy. I mean you need a chainwhip and lockring remover. Very, very simple.
Yeah, changing cassettes is not a problem. Doesn’t sound like putting on the cover is that difficult either. Of course, putting it on is one thing… Putting it on well is another. Is the taping really important? Is this just an aero thing or is there another advantage?
I use the plastic fittings supplied and elect tape. It takes 15 minutes to put on. 10 minutes to take off.
It’s not a huge pill to swallow if you sell your current rear race wheel.
I guess what I meant by “hard pill to swallow” is not so much the $, but the fact that I have an 808 sitting there, but am racing on a lesser wheel and spending more time getting my bike ready for a race. I’m in the quarq / PT pickle right now. I know it would be cheaper to go PT and cover, but just trying to decide if I’m going to kick myself later for not spending the extra money and going Quarq and using the race wheels I already have.
Unless you are putting a wheelcover on the 808, the covered PT wheel is faster.
Get a quarq, problem solved.
Not long, to remove the cassette, put on cover, and then reinstall the cassette maybe takes 10min at the most. Then changing the training tires and tubes for the race ones brings the whole ordeal to maybe 15min. It’s not hard and is a little sacfrice to save 2,000 plus dollars. The first time may take some extra time, but after that it is very fast.
Longer if you neglect to line up the cut our on the disc with the inflation stem of the inner tube or if you put the covers on the wrong side of the wheel. Otherwise - 15 minutes or less the third time you do it. It can be done if 5 or so if properly motivated. DK
Sounds like you’ve been there too!
I use the plastic fittings supplied and elect tape. It takes 15 minutes to put on. 10 minutes to take off.
It’s not a huge pill to swallow if you sell your current rear race wheel.
I guess what I meant by “hard pill to swallow” is not so much the $, but the fact that I have an 808 sitting there, but am racing on a lesser wheel and spending more time getting my bike ready for a race. I’m in the quarq / PT pickle right now. I know it would be cheaper to go PT and cover, but just trying to decide if I’m going to kick myself later for not spending the extra money and going Quarq and using the race wheels I already have.
I am struggling with the same decision. I like the idea of training and racing with power, but hate the idea of “downgrading” my wheels to do so. I have a nice set of 1080/808 tubs, so it seems like a strange decision to move from a high end set of wheels to a wheel with a plastic cover, but it is easily the least costly way into power for both training and racing.
So I can sell my current setup and move into clinchers with power, basically for free, or spend about $2k on a Quarq and head unit…
I takes me less than 10 minutes to put my wheel cover on and tape it. I am a mechanic, but its not rocket science. Even if it takes you 30 minutes, if you race 6 times a year (3 hours a year) and a wheel will at best last 10 years (300 hours), take your hourly salary, multiply it by 300 and if the answer is worth it just get a second wheel.
I am struggling with the same decision. I like the idea of training and racing with power, but hate the idea of “downgrading” my wheels to do so. I have a nice set of 1080/808 tubs, so it seems like a strange decision to move from a high end set of wheels to a wheel with a plastic cover, but it is easily the least costly way into power for both training and racing.
So I can sell my current setup and move into clinchers with power, basically for free, or spend about $2k on a Quarq and head unit…
Exactly where I’m at. I know everyone says it’ll be just as fast, and while I can’t disagree it’s still hard to do. I’ll admit, I’m a gear junkie. I know if I buy a PT I can forget about ever getting new race wheels (or at least in the next 5-7 years) and stay happily married.
The other thing that makes it hard to pull the trigger on either PM is that I have a computrainer and do 90% of my rides on that. I’d really only need PT or quarq for a few big “race rehersal” type rides and races.