What is the benefit of a semi-aero wheel (Velocity Spartacus or Spartacus Pro or Easton Vista SL) over a basic training wheel like the Mavic CXP 22?
Also, any opinions on which is better wheel the spartacus pro or Vista SL?
The actual aero benefit is not all that big, I’d have to guess about a half mph if you are riding in the ~20mph range. This is according to a bunch of field testing I did long before I got a powermeter, and I haven’t bothered to be interested in objectively measuring differences since.
Regarding the wheels, I originally bought a Mavic Open Pro rear and used my old front wheel (Campy Omega Aero 36 spoke…not very aero). I got annoyed at having to work on the ancient bearings all the time, so I bought a 16 spoke Spartacus front…way too flexy for my 150lb self. I got a set of Spartacus Pros 20 spoke front, 24 spoke rear from Superspokes really cheap ($220?) and they are great. I’ve probably got 10k+ miles on them and haven’t even had to think about truing them. It’s too bad Superspokes doesn’t seem to exist anymore, that was a great place to get stuff cheap.
On my last bike I had a pair of plain spartacus wheels (20/24) and they were absolutely bomb proof. The pro’s seem to be running about 320 now, and I thought of moving up to them.
I don’t understand why Cannondale puts CXP22’s on their 2000 price point bike.