I asked a couple weeks ago about the Sram s60/80 wheelset, now my LBS is telling me about the Profile Design 52/80 Altair wheelset. I don’t know that much about the Profile Design wheels and was looking for a little help. Which wheelset is better? Both are being offered at around the same price. Thanks for the help.
sram s60/s80 by far
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My guess would be the SRAM wheels would be better (just from an aerodynamic standpoint) because of Zipp’s toroidal shape, and because the rear is slightly deeper.
I would trust the aerodynamics and quality of the zipp/sram wheels ahead of anything from profile. The sram wheel is a zipp-made rim with an asian-sourced hub that I believe is hand-built. Plus, for pretty much the same weight you get an alloy brake track which will give you better performance and security than carbon (the number of warped carbon clinchers out there is really a bit stunning…).
i’ve only seen the PD wheels online. they match the color combo of my bike very nicely (if you’re gift shopping).
3-athlon sells the both.
the SRAM 60/80 combo is about $1,300 and the PDs are around $2,000.
if your LBS is offering them to you even-up then buy them.
http://www.3-athlon.com/product.php?productid=1966&cat=219&page=1
http://www.3-athlon.com/product.php?productid=1853&cat=198&page=1
and sell them to me for $1,200.
I would choose PD over SRAM. Profiles are custom design rims shape and it just seems to me like PD know’s triathlon and what will work for Tri. PD has rim braking surface options too. I saw the wheels in Kona and at Edurance Live expo in San Diego and they look really sweet.
Gidday Rhody
I’ve been pondering this very question too, seems i’m in pretty much the same boat as you with my LBS. I’ve done a lot of web research on the sram’s and am under the impression that they are alloy frame with carbon lay-up over the top and therefore won’t have the same feel as a full carbon rim which the PD rims are. While there is very little feedback on the PD wheels i have had nothing but good experiences with other PD gear i use. The srams are also fairly heavy and with the PD’s aren’t super lightweight they’re still pretty good for a deep profile clincher. I also like the overall finish of the PD better. All that said, it’s still hard parting with the $$ while there are no independent reviews out there yet. Maybe i’ll just have to bite the bullet and be the first to place some feedback 
Hey Tim,
I ended up getting the Sram 60/80 wheelset. The deal on the Srams was just too good to pass up. I have no buyers remorse with those wheels. They ride well, handle well, and look good on my bike. The Profile Design wheels are pretty sweet also. I ended up with the Srams (a little cheaper) and I was told by my LBS that I would need to change the brake pads for the PD wheels. I hope this helps! Good luck with your choice I don’t think you will go wrong with either wheelset.
Rhody
Hey Rhody,
Thanks for you reply, definately food for thought. Have you used your Sram’s in any climbs yet? just wondering if you notice the weight at all. The deals i’m being offered sound pretty similar to what you had, with the Sram’s about $200 cheaper and price point is definately a biggie for me. Do you notice less effort to keep the bike going when up to speed? Also i’ve been thinking about going 80/80, how are you finding cross winds with the 80/60 combo? Sorry for all the questions
Tim
Hey no problem! I have been doing a ton of climbs with these wheels (lake placid in a few weeks) and they have been fast and not noticeably heavier than my training wheels. As for the handling of these wheels with the wind…I have had no problems! I ride with a guy that has HED 3’s and he wants my wheels due to how hard his are to handle in the wind! If I were to do it all over again I may have gone with the 80/80 set. I am happy with my wheels, but the 80’s would be pretty fast. Feel free to ask me any more questions I am happy to answer them!
Have a good one,
Rhody
Cheers Rhody, i really appreciate the feed back. I’m in the process of selling my multisport Kayak so won’t be getting the wheels till that’s gone so that’ll give me time to weigh up my options and try to find a little more info on the PD’s.
Tim
The Profile is good solid wheel set as is the old Zipp ala SRAM wheel. That said, don’t get caught up in the hype around all this stuff. It’s all in the legs and body position. I’ve been lucky enough to be around some extremely good cyclists and they have shown up to the group rides on their old Motorola and 7 eleven steel bikes. They have no problem making guys look foolish on top of their $8,000 and up bikes.
The Profile is good solid wheel set as is the old Zipp ala SRAM wheel. That said, don’t get caught up in the hype around all this stuff. It’s all in the legs and body position. I’ve been lucky enough to be around some extremely good cyclists and they have shown up to the group rides on their old Motorola and 7 eleven steel bikes. They have no problem making guys look foolish on top of their $8,000 and up bikes.That doesn’t mean race wheels won’t make you quantifiably faster.