I currently use a set of Mavic Cosmic Carbones clinchers for training and racing. Although I have good training wheels, the durability of the Cosmic Carbones make them suitable for training. I would like to get a PT clincher wheel that would be suitable for training and racing. I weigh about 155 lbs. The rear Cosmic Carbones is a 20 spoke wheel which I don’t think will work with a PT. Zipp clinchers are nice, however, I would be nervous about using them as a regular training wheel - maybe the Clysedale versions would be OK. Flashpoint 60s are another option, but I am unsure as to whether or not they are any more durable than the ZIPPs. The HED Jet 90 uses a carbon fairing like the Cosmic Carbones so would probably be durable enough - this is the wheel that I am currently leaning towards. Bontrager Aeolus 6.5s look to be nice wheels, however, I am not sure how durable they are, and I also don’t know if they are PT compatible given their unusual spoke orientation. Are there any other options to be considered?
Bontrager has the 6.5, 5.0 and the x-lite aero all available as PT wheels. I use a 6.5 now for both and have no issues. The x-lite aero is probably the strongest of those 3 though. Some people have bad feelings toward zipps, but I have used those as well with no issue. Find whatever fits your needs/ budget the best and enjoy.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am surprised that the Bontrager’s are available with PTs. The PTs must be a specialized version to fit the spoke pattern of the Bontrager’s. How do you feel the Bontrager 6.5s compare to the Zipps? What do you weigh? Thanks again.
A bomber rear wheel (I have the Velocity Deep V), and then put a wheel cover on for racing. It’s not sexy, but it does the job.
I have had the Bontrager Aero X-lite with a PT Pro; it was indeed a special 16 spoke hub (yes, 16 spoke rear). I weigh 180ish and rode that thing in all kinds of conditions with no problems.
Now, currently I have a Zipp Clyde 404 (I forget what the actual number is, 5xx?) clincher with a PT Pro. It is a 32 spoke and has been bomb proof so far.
I also have a set of the Hed Jet wheels (I run the front one w/the Zipp rear) and although it seems very durable, it’s annoyingly noisy since the carbon’s just a thin fairing. It clunks, ticks over rough roads, etc. Now this is an older Jet 60; the new ones may be quieter or better, I dunno.
I should have mentioned that I really wish to avoid wheel covers.
How long have you had the Zipp Clyde 404? The Clysedale version of the Zipps would be considered overkill for my weight, but this may make the wheels durable enough for daily use, and would be why I would consider them. The roads I train on are in pretty good shape, however, I do have a number of railway crossings that I do traverse. Do you think there would be any problems with Zipps Clysedales on railway crossings?
Hed Jets. They are great all round wheels and can be ordered with a Power Tap option.
Bontrager X lite aero with PT pro.
I have been training and racing with them for more than a year and no problem so far.
(and 16 spokes wheel looks cool too)
I looked up the Bontrager X Lite Aero. The rim is only 31 mm which makes it a no go for me. My Cosmic Carbones are 52 mm, and if I am changing wheels, they have to be at least that deep. Of the Bontrager wheels, I would be most interested in the Aeolus 6.5 clincher.
Probably Hed Jet is your best bet here in 60 or 90. I would also consider any of ther Zipp wheels but it will be a spendy fix if you damage the wheel. I have to think there are more options to fix the Jet if you should some how dmage the carbon fairing or the rim. I would call Hed to ask for sure though.
Side note- a year ago before buying my Ergomo I was searching/looking at enay for powertap wheels with Zipp rims. IIRC, the going rate for a set of 404 wheels with a powertap SL never went over $1500. There are some really good deals out there for this combo. I woudl suggest looking in the fall if you can wait. Seems like that’s when everyone is dumping there stuff. Here is a good example- although in tubular…
Lot’s of deal out there- especially for 404’s. Seems like nobody wants 404’s anymore.
Why avoid a wheel cover?
Zipp 404 clincher with standard powertap. I’ve had it for 2 years now.
Pretty much bombproof. I don’t have another rear wheel and I don’t need one. If you are hesitant call Zipp customer service and they will putt any doubt out of your mind. That’s what I did and they were amazing answering all my questions and concerns. By the way, I’m 185lbs and on a regular wheel, Zipp won’t recommend the clydsdale unless you are well over 200lbs.
To be honest I have not given wheel covers a lot of consideration as I really do not what to go through the hassle of installing and removing a wheel cover on a regular basis.
Good point on used Zipps with PT. If I were to purchase Zipps new, I would probably purchase a set of 606s, however, I would certainly not pass up on a set of excellent condition 404s with PT given that the performance difference between 404s and 606s is slight.
Does anybody know if the Zipp crash replacement program applies to second hand users?
Thanks for the suggestion of contacting Zipp customer service. I think I will do that.
Zipp has said that they have a lot of people use their 404 wheel for cyclocross. That would lead me to believe they are pretty tough. I’ve been riding Flashpoints pretty regularly without any problems.
Chad
Like doublej, I use the 404 clincher for training and racing, and it’s been trouble free (now 1.5 years old). I use the cover, and it’s not too much trouble to take on and off as long as you don’t mind removing your cassette, which is a good opportunity to clean the cassette. The only hassle I have is inflating without a helping hand if I leave the cover on the wheel.