I recently ordered a HED 3 front and Renn disc. I have a race in a couple of weeks and it seems likely that I will not get my disc in time. If this is the case, is it a bad idea to race with the new Hed3 in the front and a Ritchey training wheel (stock wheel for P2K) in the back?
Not at all - that is kinda common really - Super Aero in the front and a more normal wheel in back (where the frame and your legs block much of the wind). I have seen that many many times in TT’s that have last minute wind issues and what not.
I have heard that a non-aero rear wheel can have adverse consequences for the handling of a bike with a tri-spoke in the front. Not true?
Won’t be the most aero set up but it’ll be better than not racing.
Racing is always better than not.
I currently do a lot of my “B” and “C” races with either an H3 or Alps front and a PT Pro hub laced to a Mavic 28 hole CXP-33. The power and pacing information is more important to me in those races. . .It helps me plan and race my “A” races when I stick on the rear H3, Alps, or soon-to-be-ordered disc. I find no real handing issues and I train with the Alps/PT Pro setup 100% of the time.
Eventually I’ll have the rear Alps rim laced to another PT pro hub. . .In fact I may do that instead of ordering the disc.
I have heard that a non-aero rear wheel can have adverse consequences for the handling of a bike with a tri-spoke in the front. Not true?
Complete rubbish. Ride with confidence as there is not any issue at all to be concerned with. I’ve ridden with Open Pro clinchers/Carbon tubies due to flats in technical crits, never a problem.
Bikes are not like cars with a mix of radio/bias ply tires. Wheel type mix is not a factor in bikes.
Go race and have fun.
If it’s a windy day you’ll likely notice some obvious twitchy bicycle behaviour. Should be OK if it’s not too windy.
For sixty bucks, if you have 700c, you can always pick up a set of CH Aero disc covers from excelsports until the Renn arrives. Then later sell them on ebay.
Felix, it sounds exactly the same as me. Was the setup ok?
I ordered the Renn three or four weeks ago. Frank said he was having some problems with his rim supplier for the tubulars. Don’t know the current status. How long did your take?
I found that with a 32H Open Pro in the rear and Hed Jet60 in the front that in heavy crosswinds it was a bit twitchy (20-30mph xwinds). With the disc in the rear I was substantially more stable, and tended to get “pushed” by the wind instead of feeling like the handlebars were trying to get yanked out of my hands with sudden gusts. You would certainly be better off with a disc rear, but I’ve ridden many times with the above setup in heavy, gusty Florida crosswinds with no significant problems.
What race is this for? If you are close you can borrow my 909 (the most lent out wheel on earth) That wheel has been in FAR more races than I have.
Mighty Montauk (OLY distance). Eastern end of LI. A generous offer to someone you’ve never met!