Trying to decide between these two race wheels and looking for pros and cons of existing users…
I am a 160 lb rider if that helps…
i would personaly go with the 100s, both are great wheels, but i simply like them more. can also be used in cycling races on the rear or both if you are crazy enough.
I have never had the Blackwell 100’s but I do remember seeing a post not so long ago indicating that it doesn’t perform particularly well. IIRC, it was slower than a 404 wheel even though it is 100mm deep. It’s been said a million times on this forum- Zipp and Hed are the two best race wheel makers out there. Do a search on this forum for the data on this.
I would stay with the Hed3c’s. Very light and as aero as anything you will ever find. They seem to be the safe bet.
I’ve had Hed3’s for years (clinchers) and find them to be bomb-proof; never had any negative issues and they ride very nicely. As many have said on this site before, the Hed3 is a sure bet in terms of reliability and functionality.
I had an H3 and Ded disc set-up that I traded for Blackwell 100’s. Several reasons. First I couldn’t use my powertap with my disc. I can use it on the Blackwells with a wheel cover. Second, you can’t true an H3 wheel, and they are all not perfectly true. I believe there is a number on the wheel corresponding to just how out of true they are. Mine was enough to notice, let’s leave it at that. All H3’s are tested and I’m sure the better ones go to sponsored riders or teams. No I’m not actually sure, I just always assumed…
As to a thread suggesting the 100’s are slower than 404’s I don’t recall such a thread or any valid data ever being posted to that effect. I certainly could be wrong as I don’t read every post on the site. I do feel that offering as “evidence” against a particular product, the “fact” that you might remember a thread that suggested the Blackwell’s might have been slower than maybe it was a Zipp 404 does nothing to further the OP reaching any reliable conclusion.
I trust what both Blackwell and Zipp does in the wind tunnel. I certainly trust what John Cobb does there. I would guess the aero differences might get into the realm of splitting hairs, like less than 10 seconds over 40k kinda difference, or within the margin of error levels. I am not trying to justify my purchase because I got the Blackwells at way less than retail for like one-third the price of a set of 404s and less than my hed set-up.
It is too funny when people say a certain wheel, or frame, or helmet, or aerobar, or whatever is slower then something else. The typical difference is in the measuring error like you have said most of the time. You look at any event and the so called fastest something is always getting beat by something less superior. I would pick what you think suits your needs or budget best and then train to go faster… just another two cents worth from someone.
Follow my technique on equipment lust. Find out about the people making and designing the product. Since I live in Texas with all the wind I am a firm believer that aerodynamics is the second most important thing on a bike, fitness being the first. To me aero talk makes me cry. So I stand behind the man. I have picked John Cobbs as my guru so I say go with Blackwell because it has his name on it. Steve is great too but I had to make a choice.
First, both are great wheels and both do perform exceptionally well aerodynamically. And both companies stand behind their product. We have tested our wheels against other brands on the market and there are slight differences when looking at wheels of this caliber. A Hed to a Zipp to a Blackwell will all show huge improvements over stock wheels and slight differences among the most aero in each product line. There are other factors to consider: Can I easily contact the manufacturer? What is the warranty? Can the wheels be trued? Which ones perform best in certain race conditions? Which wheelset looks cooler on your bike? etc.
I will also say I’ve seen the data on 50mm wheels vs. 100mm’s and I cannot agree that a 50mm will out perform a 100mm.
Good luck with your decision!! Just remember that race wheels do work and are worth spending your hard earned money on.
Dave
Dave,
Are you willing to share the data of those 50s and 100s?