Now that I finally settled on wheel choice, what are the best tires to put on those two wheels? Both the wheels are Hed’s wider configuration wheels (23mm vs the pre-2009 19mm).
The Bontrager Race X Lite Aero TT’s seem to get a lot of love around here. Is the prevailing wisdom to run a 19mm front and 23mm rear?
i run Bonty’s Race X Aero on my H3 front and Vittoria Open Corsa 320s on my Jet C2 Disc…both with Michelin Latex tubes
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I don’t really know, but the advantage of the C2’s is that they were designed to run 23mm tires to take advantage of their lower Crr.
I run 23mm PR3’s on all my C2 wheels FWIW.
H3’s arent available yet in the C2,23mm version yet…i asked Paul from Hed and he said it might be a while because they have to change the molds or something like that
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With that info, I’ll ask for what distance? IM or HIM I’d still go with 23’s. Shorter, maybe a more-aero tire would pay off against the Crr and rougher ride.
H3’s arent available yet in the C2,23mm version yet…i asked Paul from Hed and he said it might be a while because they have to change the molds or something like that
Without removing my tire and measuring the width of the rim track… didn’t Tom D. mention in his review of the '09 Hed wheels that all wheels with the exception of the H3C were the new wider configuration?
I will look for it.
Edit:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/2009_racewheels.shtml
“Can you see the difference in width between old and new? The new, wider 22 mm rim track is on the left, the traditional 19 mm wide rim track on the right. This new, wider configuration enhances speed, aerodyanmics and ride comfort while lowering rolling resistance. All new HED wheels (except H3C) have the new, wider configuration.”
Maybe Tom meant a blanket “except H3” but H3C does technically denote the tubular and not the clincher.
i read what you are talking about, which i think is this:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/2009_racewheels.shtml
and you are right with referance to the article…the Hed page doesnt say the width for the H3. I have an older 19mm H3…if you can measure yours, that would be great to know…but I havent heard anything about a wider H3
Just measured and they’re indeed 19mm. That settles the debate over what sized tires to get - 19 front, 23 rear. Now which tire to pick?
go with the Bontys/latex tubes
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If I remember correctly, the Bonty TT tire doesn’t match well with the C2 rim. Assuming my memory is correct, I would run a Vittoria/Speciazled open tubular (290 or 230 tpi) tire on the disc (and the 19 Bonty TT tire on the front). I think you would have a little lower Crr on the disc and I don’t think the areo advantage plans out with the bonty. Definitely use latex tubes. AFM has a post on biketechreview regarding latex tubes. I have used mich. on all my bikes. Vittorias may be a little better.
I know Hed makes the rims for Trek, but does anyone know if these rims are the C2 profile or the older profile? It might explain the difference in fit of the Bonty tires between the H3 and C2 wheels
I run the Bontrager 19mm tt tire and Michelin latex tubes on my H3 and Renn combination. Very fast set up and the tt sets up very nice on the H3. A bit more work on the Renn.
i have the same wheels on p3c running bonty tt 19 on front matches perfect and specializd open tubular 23c 290tpi on back(was torn between this and vitt corsa 320tpi) happy with choice abd would reccomend
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I run the Bontrager 19mm tt tire and Michelin latex tubes on my H3 and Renn combination. Very fast set up and the tt sets up very nice on the H3. A bit more work on the Renn.
I have the same wheel combo and am looking for new tires this season since my PR2’s are about done. I’ve always rode 23mm, how is the ride of the 19’s?
I’d like to thank everyone for their input. Looks like Bonty 19’s upfront and either a Vittoria Open Corsa or Specialized Open Tubular (and why do they call it a tubular if it’s a clincher?) in 23’s in the back.
ride is very subjective but ive done 112 miles on an aluminum frame with the 19
no problemo
well the ride was hard as hell but that had more to do with the 20% grade hills all over it
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ride is very subjective but ive done 112 miles on an aluminum frame with the 19
That had to feel good 
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I run the Bontrager 19mm tt tire and Michelin latex tubes on my H3 and Renn combination. Very fast set up and the tt sets up very nice on the H3. A bit more work on the Renn.
I have the same wheel combo and am looking for new tires this season since my PR2’s are about done. I’ve always rode 23mm, how is the ride of the 19’s?
They ride excellent. I ride 23’s on my road bike and the quality of the ride is not much different. The longest tt’s I do are 60K.
I was under the impressin that 23mm tires (in general) have a lower Crr than similar 19mm tires. If that is true, does the areo advantage of the 19mm tire outweigh the greater Crr? I’ll admit to not studying this vey hard because all my race wheels are C2 width. So, I could be wrong (don’t tell my wife).