IM Hamburg: 50mm Carbon wheel and spokes vs 88mm carbon rim and steel spokes

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi I am racing IM Hamburg in a week and am running a 50R Elite Drive wheel up front and torn between running the matching 50R rear (carbon rim and spokes- total wheelset weight 1300g) vs an Elite 88mm carbon rim and steel spokes ( wheelset weight about 1800g).

Hamburg is relatively flat (410m according to bike course info). With the 50R rear wheel, the handling is great, the ride smooth and it’s an easy flat to change. With the 88mm, it’s noticeably heavier and I have to carry an additional extended valve tube. So, the former has considerably less weight but the latter supposedly better aero. I expect to hold about 20-21mph. What would you recommend? Thank you!

2

Always deeper in the back. It stabilizes the bike and is usually faster

3

You should use a solid disc wheel on the rear.

4

If possible ride the 50 with a wheel cover? Seems like the best of both worlds to me.
Otherwise the 88 will be faster unless you flat or take a toilet break or anything.

5

I’ve done Hamburg and the bike course in Hamburg is really flat. So you don’t have to bother about wheel weight. If you are comfortable with the 88mm wheel in crosswinds, then go for it. There are some stretches where crosswinds can happen regularly.

6

if you use the 88 rear, just carry a spare tube that will fit the 88. It should also fit the 50, although not optimal length.

7

Thanks everyone. Went back and forth for days and finally I’m going with the 88 in the rear. I feel as if 90% of the time that it’s the front that flats, but I’ll need to bring the longer valve tube just in case. The 50D drive wheels from Elite just roll so well together and the 88 requires considerable more effort to get going after slowing down and in the end, I thought the difference in speed would be maybe 2 minutes or less with a full bike course. But, there’s probably no other bike course flatter (maybe Maryland), so I’ll go with the 88.

8

Bring a tube with a valve extender.

9

Yes got that for sure. I’m also bringing a shorter one for the front so I don’t have to deal with a potential problem with the extender valve for the front tire.