Brand new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could give me some info on these two wheelsets. I am looking to purchase a set soon.Does anyone own these wheels and have first hand info?
About me I am 6’2" and 220lbs…I would be using them for Tris and some Time Trials in varying conditions some flat some hilly some windy and some calm.
Thanks for any input
I would get Hed Jet 60s before the Mavics ($ reasons).
The Hed 3s look cool, but I read mixed reviews about their true aeroness.
Mark
First let me say welcome. If you don’t get answers to your post do a search at the top of the page. Lots of info on wheels it’s a hot topic on this forum.
I have a H3C and love it. it’s light, mine is true and they are pretty much bombproof. I have my choice of several different front race wheels and I keep chosing this over the multiple deep dish front wheels in my garage.
H3C’s, but it could be said I’m biased 
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I have used both cosmic carbone (not sl) and hed3, I think the hub in the mavic’s are in another league. I find the hed3 better in strong headwinds. Can be a bit tricky in headwinds but that will not be a problem for you(220lbs). I found the carbones quite soft when sprinting short climbs(my raceweight 175lbs), but really easy to maintain speed once you have accelerated. Maybe you should go for hed3 since it’s bulletproof even for heavier athletes, remember cosmic carbone front only has 16 spoke.
Best Regards Dave
Both are great wheels. I had one of the first generation Cosmic Carbones for road racing / crits way back in the day, fabulous wheels. Eventually sold them, but I knida wish I hadn’t. I also have a set of Specialized Trispoke UL’s (same as the H3). Also fabulous, bombproof. The Mavics were definitely a more comfortable wheel, and they have the best hubs in the business.
Welcome.
I have no experience with the Cosmics, but I will chime in regarding the H3’s. Love them. Very solid wheels in all but the windiest conditions. I had them for my 650 bike but had to get rid of them when i went to a 700 bike. Really durable…When I buy race wheels again, I will more than likely buy at least a H3 front w/ either a 404 or h3 rear. Determining factor will be if I can afford to do a Powertap, in which case I’ll get the 404.
I am a similar size and just sold my H3s as i am not racing Tri at the moment and need the cash. I thought that they were great wheels and a noticable improvement over normal wheels.
When i bought them i went through a similar process, spoked with aero rims or trispokes? Now that i am road racing, i wish i had chosen the road race legal option, but if you’re sure you’ll never want them for anything else then i strongly recomend the HEDs
Good luck
Mark, I have a set of HED3c and love them; i am 6’2 219lbs. With that said, i am getting a PowerTap and you can not use the HED3 in combination with a PowerTap so I am in the process of getting the Zipp 909’s. I am not trying to sell you mine but if you are interested in a pair of 4 month old HED3c let me know. I am getting the Zipps either way and don’t take this as a knock on the hed’s. If I wasn’t getting the PowerTap i would never sell them. I have used them in the hills, flats, wind, etc. and they hold up great and run fast.
Mavics. There are often easy to find second-hand in new condition as they are OEM spec on a couple of bikes (Giant Trinity and, I think, Specialized) and people often swap them out. I just think the Mavic is a better wheel. It is likely slightly less aero, but has a better hub. Personally, I find the H3 to be a handful in the front as well. Definitely check out the classifieds and eBay for Mavics, though, as I’d be very suprised if you had to buy them new.
Thanks for all the info…I don’t think this will make a difference but the wheels will be going on a Trek Team Time Trial bike that I will be using for HIM and maybe move up to IM…Thanks Again…and Thanks for the welcome
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FL Clyde—I am interested in the wheels. I assume they are the full carbon tubulars? What do you want for them?
zcall01@yahoo.com