I talked to Rich at Wheelbuilder and I am ready to purchase Powertap with wheel. Has anybody raced with the Powertap and cover that he puts on and are you happy with the way the rear wheel handles and the speed of the cover…
Don’t have the Powertap hub, but I do have the disk cover that Rich sells. Put a set on my bike and my wife’s bike. We took them for a test ride last weekend on a bumpy at times, constantly rolling 28 mile course. Didn’t have any problems, the wheel felt solid and was quiet even on the bumps.
I don’t want to get in a pissing match about the effectiveness of a disk, but I think there is a real and tangible difference. I’ve ridden this route many times with exactly the same equipment save the disk covers. I set a PR on the route with a perfectly normal HR (135). I’ve gone slower many times with a higher HR. Disk? Better fitness? All in my head? I don’t really care what the reason was. I was faster and the disk cover came along for the ride, so I’m sticking with it.
Great service from Rich too. Nicely trimmed two custom covers and delivered them quickly.
Yup, it works great. It’s light, easy to put on, and it works and looks just like a regular disk wheel. I think Rich does a great job.
I am considering this option also - what wheels do you have the disc cover on? Rich’s website says they can cut for any depth rim, but for some reason, it seems like a 303 or Alps rim would work best for training/racing roles. Also, how does the cover “bolt” on?
The two covers are held together with 8 (I think there are eight) special bolts that are evenly spaced just a bit inside from the outer edge of the cover. You need to specify how many spokes you have to ensure the spokes don’t interfere with the bolts.
As far as the cover is concerned most any wheel with an aero shape would work. If money is not a constraint, then sure, the lightest wheel you can afford would work best.
I could be wrong, but I wouldn’t think a box rim would work as well for the cover to nicely mate up to the rim.
We used a 27mm and 30mm rim and they both work fine.
ditto on Mike’s comments. I have a Wheelbuilder cover for for PT SL built into 404’s. I use the 404 when it is very hilly or windy and the cover everywhere else.
works perfect!
Kurt
I bought a DX rim - the lightest one he had - plastic screws keep it together - pretty easy/quick set up.
Kurt
I have a PT PRO- do you think the SL is worth it - I heard it’s much lighter - do you have any trouble with it? How many holes do you have in the rim? How much do you weigh? Thanks!
Not sure if the SL is that much better. I have not had the data drop or torque zero issues but my original bearings were “crunchy”. It is 24 hole, 404 tubular (might rebuild into a reynolds clincher) and I weigh 145. early morning out there Mike?
Kurt
Thanks Kurt - yep - early morning. Lots to do and need to get on top of it. Typical day really. 
I have a 32 hole, it’s nice, but would like to race with something lighter - you know how it goes…
Do you guys train on these wheels also? Have they been holding up? It looks like wheelbuilder can beef up a PT / 404 with 28 spokes - does that sound like the way to go if you want to only have 1 wheel for training and racing?
Thanks!
chris,
i actually have 4 PT set-ups (don’t ask), so no, I don’t really train on it. But, I have raced all season on it and have not trued it yet. I am light (145lb) so this might account for some of it. I might have Rich built me a 28 whole lightweight aluminum rim (Velocity, DT?) and then get a cover for racing.
Kurt
Do you guys train on these wheels also? Have they been holding up?
My PT with 28-hole Mavic rim is my everyday, do-everything wheel. I slap those big black pie-plates on it for racing.
I was also considering the velocity deep V / disk cover combo. I would like to have an aero wheel (404 / alps) in the event that it is too windy for a disk, although I have never been in that situation. If you beef up the wheel with 28 spokes, does that make a 404 more durable, or is it the rim that will fail / bend / come out of true first? My small brain says that the reduced tension (as a result of increased number of spokes) would reduce the likelyhood of rim deformation on a deep section…
Thanks
I second that. I recently purchased a disc cover from Rich. His service was first rate. His product, cut to fit my wheel was exact and the ride with the disc cover was definitely faster, even for a slow guy like me. Can’t beat the price either. Good luck.