I’m planning on renting a set of race wheels for the HFP mohican endurance festival half coming up in two weeks. The shop I’m renting from offers endless possibilities of zipp wheel combos! I can get 404s, 808s, front 404/rear 808, front 404/rear zipp disc, or front 808/rear zipp disc. All wheels are offered in both clincher and tubular as well. The bike course is pretty hilly with a good bit of climbing, here is the course profile, its 2 laps. So my question you is what setup do I go with? If it’s any help I weigh 157 lbs and I am estimating a bike time right around 2:30.
Whatever you feel comfortable with in the front and the disc. I’d go clincher to avoid buying/carrying a spare tubular. I assume you don’t already have a preglued spare lying around.
From a bike racing/climber’s perspective:
That’s not hilly. Really not hilly.
Take the 808/disc combo. Tubs will be lighter, but you may want clinchers if you’ve never changed a tub. There’s a good chance you won’t flat - but if you do you’ll be better on a tyre system you’re familiar with.
If you’re happy with tubular then I’d go 808/disc tubular.
If the wind forecast is 25+mph then maybe go 404/disc.