Hi to all !
I will be racing Kona this year for the first time ! I am a bit perplexed as to which wheels would be suitable. I have seen dvd’s from the past 5 years and am fully aware of the powerful cross/head/tail , etc. winds on the Queen K.
Will be getting my new bike in the next two months, so will be purchasing new wheels of course as well.
Any suggestions please ?
Thanks in advance 
The wheels depend on the bike, and the bike depends on your personality and budget. Clue us in a bit.
If I were doing it (and I’m not) I’d use a Hed 3 carbon rear and a Hed Stinger front… you’ll get a lot of differing opinions but I think the differences will be slight and it will come down to what you’re most comfortable with or personally feel or think is the fastest.
I would recommend the same. In 2001, I used a Hed Alps front and Hed 3 rear without too much trouble.
Are zipps 404 ok in Kona?
I used Zipp 404’s in '04, and will be using them again in '05 too.
The wheels depend on the bike, and the bike depends on your personality and budget. Clue us in a bit.
P3 Carbon and preferably 1500- 2000 Usd.
To all respondants so far , thanks very much for your advice, greatly appreciated.
808’s
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depends on your weight and how confident you are riding on a bike that may be getting blown left to right as well as having your steering wrenched slightly out of control from time to time. You’re a guy so we’ll assume you’re at least 150lbs+. If you are lighter than this maybe a Zipp 303 front and a 808, 404 or similar, or HED 3 rear. Going with the 150lbs+ you can easily pull off a 404 depth front and go as deep as you can on the back. I’ve only done Kona once and ran a 404 front and Corima 4 spoke rear. But at the same time I’ve run a disc over most of that course as well. It all depends on how comfortable you are on the bike. If you freak every time the wind knocks you around than I’d say stay with a 404 depth or less. If you are going to practice a bit in the wind and are pretty confident in your aerobars you might want to push for something a little faster like an 808 or a HED 3, although from what I’ve heard HED 3s are a little erratic in crosswinds.
and of course don’t forget all the other fine wheels out there, killer Reynolds carbon clinchers, HED stingers and alps, Real Design wheels, maybe some Campy Boras!
maybe an 808 rear and a 404 front…like Peter Rieds set up…
and of course don’t forget all the other fine wheels out there, killer Reynolds carbon clinchers, HED stingers and alps, Real Design wheels, maybe some Campy Boras!
I just ordered a set of HED Alps for road racing and (I hope) for Hawaii. This are great wheels for a very reasonable price. If they are good enough for Chris Mc Cormack they are (too) good for me.
Felix