I know there is info on other threads but I have some specific questions. I recently rode 808FC/1080 on my last race. In the wind these wheels handled noticeably better than my older 808/808 combo. So does the new 808fc = old 404 front wheel as fare as handling? I dont think I would use a 404FC in any race other than Kona so it is not worth the cost, but I would use an 808FC for sure year round.
Ride what you would feel most comfortable on, given the conditions. You will be faster on a shallower rim than a super deep rim if you aren’t second guessing yourself the entire time if you can stay upright. If you get hit by a big gust it may be the difference between a crash or not, especially when you are fatigued and riding at a race pace. If you end up leaning into the wind regardless of depth it also kills your upper body especially for such a long ride. Also ride what you’re used to don’t try to go and change your equipment too soon before the race.
Bump, I have the same question. I already have an 808FC, and I’m curious if there’s an advantage, handling-wise, to borrowing an aluminum rim 404. FWIW, I’ve heard the same thing about the new FC shape being more stable than the older profile.
Can’t speak to the FC rim shape. I have been mentally anguished when packing the bike over whether to go full 808 or 606*, though. In 2008, while getting blown around all day, I was happy to have that 404 up front. Last year it took me until mile 50 to start getting blown around. I was thankful, once more, to have that 404. I still put down my best IM bike split.
I’m not sure that 404/808 distinction is as important as everyone thinks. Lots of pros choose shallow wheels up front.
- This flexibility is due to lots of idle race wheels in the garages of my friends come October. My spouse only permits one pair of race wheels.
So if you had the choice between a 808 Front/1080 Rear with good tires and latex tubes or Mavic Cosmic Carabone SLR’s with same tires and tubes, what would you choose? I am still debating what wheels to take, I know the SLR’s are probably the smarter choice, but I assume wind is the biggest variable in the whole scenario. Has anyone been on a 808/1080 combo in Kona and want to comment? FWIW I am 6’1" 160lbs on a 2008 P3.
Thanks,
If you have to ask go with the safer Mavic option.
I’ve ridden regular 808/808 twice before and plan to do so again.
I have always ridden 404/808 in Kona and will be doing the same next week.
I have raced Kona 2x in what I would consider “not that windy” and “quite windy” conditions. I rode 404/808 (606) in the not so windy and a full 808 set up in quite windy. Did not notice a difference.
kona - do the winds tend to come straight off the ocean, sometimess quite fast, so very high yaw angles almost the whole way?
would the H3 then perhaps be the ideal rear wheel, since you can’t use a disc?
What about the H3D?
What about the H3D?
at high yaw, the H3 is faster than the H3D
but you have to get to 17.5+ deg of yaw or so before the H3 is going to be faster than stinger9/808 firecrest
you would need a direct crosswind of about 6.8mph for a 20mph cyclist to get that yaw angle. Don’t have any idea if the wind speed at wheel level in Kona tends to be that fast or not.
Having watched these threads over the years, I would say the guidance typically given (and has been in this thread) is to use a shallower front than rear.
I’m going to run a 50mm/100mm combo - though I may convince a buddy of mine to let me use his 80mm front and have him use my 50mm front.
Though we shall see.
I’ve ridden 808 front and rear 2x in the race and trained Hawi on them at least 5x. If you are comfy on the 1080/808 go with it and don’t think twice.
I thought the 80 mm rims were faster in big wind yaw situations?! But based on everyone’s reluctance to use them in wind, I’m going to go out on a limb and say the marketing is a lie.
Use the 40mm.
Ps-I can’t believe you guys are trying to base your decision on the breaking surface, lol.
I thought the 80 mm rims were faster in big wind yaw situations?! But based on everyone’s reluctance to use them in wind, I’m going to go out on a limb and say the marketing is a lie.
its not that the deep fronts would be slower it is the handling issues in gusty winds are tricky for some people.
deep rear - go ahead and use it
The best control I have had as far as rim depth in Kona was a 303 front. It wasn’t as deep of course as many used, however it really paid off 1) on the uphills because I could climb better with lighter wheels 2) coming back down to Kawahie where the wind was wailing. Each time there with 303’s, it was my best choice (at a little under a buck 50) vs. 404. That little bit made a big difference. Of course, conditions change so much year to year, you pretty much have to pick an all-around wheel for you & just go with it & hope for the best. You don’t know what is going to happen out there in Hawi during the morning. They could call for calm conditions & it may be hurricane like winds. It’s a crapshoot. Are you a good bike handler or not? That may help you figure it out easier…
The problem with the winds are the gusts coming through the cutouts on the way back from Hawi.
Spoke with HED on phone. Questioned him as to why the H3 would be more aero than H3D for a rear wheel as the deeper rim is more “disc-like” and seems to me would be a faster choice for a rear than the H3. The rep agreed, saying their charts were more particular to the front wheels and the H3D would likely be the faster rear wheel.
Riding 808FC front/rear on the 8th.
Have done the Kona/Hawi stretch 2x and the Kona/Kawaihae 2x without issues on them.
Coming from “standard” 50mm carbon wheels, I have found the 808FCs do handle better in crosswinds than my 50mm wheels.
YRMV.