I have a set of Hed3 tri spokes (front and back) which are my only race wheels. Honestly the only reason I have them is because I waited until the right frame came up on ebay a few years ago and this is what was included. People often tell me that they are a great wheel, but I never see anyone else with them so I do sometimes wonder why nobody puts their money where their mouth is.
I’m currently planning to take these wheels to Kona. It’s my first time there. I’d like to verify with you knowledgeable people whether I am making a ridiculous mistake, or will I have an okay day. I don’t intend or hope to win, but I want to put in a decent showing and not make any stupid decisions. Mainly I am concerned about weight (is it an issue in kona?) and side winds. I don’t own anything else myself but I know plenty of people who I might be able to borrow from, or if the situation is really desperate I could rent.
Relevant info (please ask for anything I missed):
Height 190cm (6’3”)Weight 77kg (170 lb)At my qualifying race I was in the top 15 of all age grouper bike splits. Flat nontechnical course, a bit of head wind in some areas, very little side wind. (specifically: Kalmar, 4:54)I am relatively weak at climbing and descending.I’m not good enough/ experienced enough at bike handling to really notice the difference between different wheels.I’m a good swimmer, so I hope to avoid the “kona train”
I hope I’m not opening up a long-dead topic, I did a search but could not find anything recent or really answering my situation. Thanks for your advice and comments, if only to direct me to another relevant thread.
Makes a pretty good rear wheel for high wind races. As for the front, only you know your comfort level. There are periods of high speed high wind that make even pros look pretty nervous on deep wheels sometimes.
there’s a famous vignette attributed to golfer Jack Nicklaus where in the locker room before the tournament other golfers would complain about the course… “wow, did you see how deep that rough was?” or “wow, the greens on the back 9 are way too slick”… and Jack would mentally check people off a list in his head of people who would never beat him.
I don’t know how old you are, but you’re being checked off of some lists right now.
That said, I think you already know the right answer to your question.
There is a good possibility that those wheels could be the best wheels for the course on the day, and just about the same chance for some other wheel being just a tiny bit better under other conditions. Don’t worry about it, they are great wheels under most conditions, they are not going to be what holds you back…
I take that as a vote for the rear, but does the logic apply to gusty conditions? I heard once that this type of wheel is especially susceptible.
For the front, how can I make a best guess whether it will be okay? I don’t ride windy conditions often.
The front might, only way to know is ride in gusty conditions!
If you want to be safe, borrow a 404ish or something from somebody.
I take that as a vote for the rear, but does the logic apply to gusty conditions? I heard once that this type of wheel is especially susceptible.
For the front, how can I make a best guess whether it will be okay? I don’t ride windy conditions often.
I love this anecdote. I have never heard it before, but (in spite of this thread) it is very aligned with my own views.
It’s good because I love being checked off lists.
I also love beating those people on my second hand bike.
so for everyone’s info I am in category M30-34.
But in seriousness, I only want to avoid making a really silly decision for conditions I don’t know a lot about. The wheels I have now are firmly my default choice, and it would have taken quite a lot to move from that position. Responses here so far suggest that I will stick with them.
Thanks to all for contributing.
This was a yaw study at Kona in Oct 2013, but who knows what the winds will be this year. They found yaw >10* for 30% of the distance (at ~25mph). IMHO there are better wheels for the front to deal with the possible winds than the H3…
I too rock H3 front & rear. I bought them because they are the best looking wheel combo and I have wanted them for 15 years. Both Mark Allen and PNF won using these wheels as have others including Lance in the TDF.
Sure, given unlimited budget etc this would be a different question though. I know that H3 is not the absolute optimal wheel, but my threshold for switching is not if it is sub-optimal, but more if it is actively a bad choice.
Or is that what you are saying?
Sure, given unlimited budget etc this would be a different question though. I know that H3 is not the absolute optimal wheel, but my threshold for switching is not if it is sub-optimal, but more if it is actively a bad choice.
Or is that what you are saying?
Distilling it down: sure, for a windy course like Kona and for triathlon where you’re not going 30+mph, you’re probably faster with something that stalls in a crosswind (i.e., standard deep wheel front, dish rear). However, Chris Froome used a tri-spoke front in the Vuelta yesterday, so it’s not like it’s a massively out of date slow wheel. It’s a good wheel and you won’t lose much if anything by using it. There are very likely other things that you should focus on more, though. Plus, as has also been pointed out, nothing looks cooler than a tri-spoke!
Sure, given unlimited budget etc this would be a different question though. I know that H3 is not the absolute optimal wheel, but my threshold for switching is not if it is sub-optimal, but more if it is actively a bad choice.
Or is that what you are saying?
Depends on your threshold for “bad”, but yes, that’s what he’s saying
People often tell me that they are a great wheel, but I never see anyone else with them so I do sometimes wonder why nobody puts their money where their mouth is.
I’ve run dual Hed3’s, although most of the time it’s a H3 front, disc rear. Windy days require a bit more attention but I (and an emphasis on N=1 here) don’t find them to be too egregious compared to even a 30mm alloy rim front. It’s important to take them out on a few windy days to get used to their behavior, but I’d be riding them in Kona.
And, compared to modern wheels, they’re just about as fast as anything else out there, especially, especially at lower yaw #'s. The biggest drawback appears to be their handling. And you own them! Make sure that you have a fresh conti supersonic 20 up front (or at least do a good search on hed3 tires), and go rock them with impunity. If you’re worried, run a different front wheel with the best rubber you can afford.
Sure, given unlimited budget etc this would be a different question though. I know that H3 is not the absolute optimal wheel, but my threshold for switching is not if it is sub-optimal, but more if it is actively a bad choice.
Or is that what you are saying?
Well you originally stated “I don’t own anything else myself but I know plenty of people who I might be able to borrow from, or if the situation is really desperate I could rent.”
If you can borrow a modern U type deep wheel (e.g. Zipp Firecrest 404 type) in case the winds are an issue. Otherwise roll with what you have and enjoy the experience.
As opposed to theory…
I rode Specialized trispokes (same a H3) in '95 in Kona , it was a particularly wicked, windy year. I was 6’3", 178, and yes it was an interesting ride.
I think they are a great choice, if you feel you can handle them. Wide blade forks are a nice advantage I didn’t have, and if paired witht he right tires, I don’t think you could go 30sec faster with anything else on the market.
I would say it’s not a bad choice. But see if you can get into some side wind scenarios before you get there. The front going behind the fork with sideway winds and higher speeds (20+ MPH) can make a “pulsing” effect on the steering which is interesting if you haven’t felt it before! Otherwise I don’t think they are bad choice! Have a good race!
