I just found out that my wife is going to get me a front race wheel for my b-day. She called up the LBS and asked for a price on a Zipp 404. She told them it was for a triathlete, 165 lbs. The LBS told her that it would be too much to handle in a crosswind and that I should really get a 303 front instead if it was going to be my only race wheel.
It was my impression that I should get a 404 if it was going to be my only front race wheel instead of a HED tri-spoke for the crosswind reason. Is a 404 really that hard to handle?
Sounds a little suspect if you ask me. I’d be curious and ask if they had any 404s in stock - maybe they only have 303s right now and they’re trying to get rid of them.
Not that the 303 is a bad rim. But at 165, I think if you have decent bike handling skills I can’t see the 404 rim being a problem on most days.
The whole wind thing is way overblown, pun intended.
Silly rumor started by people who likely haven’t ridden deep dish or disc wheels or perhaps by riders who startle easily. I know plenty of riders at all different weights and skill levels who successfully ride 404’s and discs.
This includes men and women, people who only ride bikes because it’s part of the Tri and bike racers.
If you are going to buy a race specific wheel, buy the wheel that gives you the best advantage. The 404 is a better aerodynamic choice over a 303.
165 is not light, you could easily ride a 404/disc combo in most any wind condition. I weigh 162 and do so very effectively.
Can’t comment on a 404 specifically but it’s got to be less affected by cross winds than is a trispoke. I’ve rode disc/Hed CX. The CX has a 60mm rim so I’d suspect is similiar to 404. On really windy days I’d feel the front wheel but never enough to be concerned about. i weigh about 150 lbs, so at your weight you should be OK.
NO. That is wacked. People who make these comments…404 and cross winds, disc and cross winds…bla.bla…probably don’t even own a set or ever rode a disc before. They just go by heresay. I race at 155 on a set of 909’s. I can handle it easy. Shame on the LBS…
FYI - I have a front 404, clincher in 650 in PERFECT condition with a grand prix supersonic tire on it that I need to sell cheap. Let me know if you are interested.
I’m 155 raced on a softride, front 404 and a rear disc. The only time I had problems was in near hurricane winds. 40-55mph winds will make it a bit hard to handle otherwise all that wind hard to handle stuff is pretty much a bunch of crap.
When I do make it to Holland I will make it a point to visit that joint.
There are a few nightclubs and other things that go by the name YabYum, as for me it’s just a crude reference to tantric sex; has a nice ring to it huh?
I have had people ask me at races if I was really going to use a disk wheel in “this wind”. I have never noticed much difference in windy conditions. I also ride a Hed 3 up front. Wind doesn’t bother me. Gusty conditions do but not much . The only problem is when the wind has been blocked and then i suddenly get a hard side blast that I wasn’t expecting.
Between the two wheels ride the one that fits (sorry couldn’t resist). I would buy the one that you like the most, looks the best, is the coolest, makes you happy.
Life is short have some fun !!!
But for expert advice ask that little guy from france. The one with a girly name ; )
