So I’ve been a long time lurker and this is my first post. I’ve been looking into getting some new wheels. I currently ride a stock 2004 Cervelo Dual that came with the Ritchey wheels. I’ve only ridden clinchers in my life. My guess is I can convince my wife to let me spend around $800 or so. Just trying to put together a list of all of my options and then I would go from there. Thanks for your input.
Joe
“I can convince my wife to let me spend around $800 or so.”
Here is a double win.
Most possible bang for the buck is a CH Aero disc cover for $60. and a used Specialized trispoke (same as Hed) off ebay for $200. Total $260. Does the same as any $1500 wheel set.
That leaves $540. for a romantic weekend mini-vacation with the wife.
Then for your next upgrade she won’t set any limits.
New Renn 575 ($450) + Used Hed/Zipp/(Or Specialized trispoke or Campy Shamal) front wheel off Ebay for roughly $200…leaves $150 to let you get decent tubular tires.
You’re going to have a hard time spending $800 on a totally NEW wheelset that is SIGNIFICANTLY better than your OEM Ritcheys. A NEW Renn 575 is an absolute steal at $450, and can be had in clincher version if you’re so inclined. Old Hed CX or Jets and Zipp 400/440s can be had cheaply if you’re patient. The Campy Shamal is a really good deal…probably the cheapest of the bunch if you’re lucky…but has a tremendous reputation. It is only moderately deep (32 or 34mm?) and aluminum…but with its lower spoke count (16 front)…it has scored quite well in published aero studies. The Specialized Trispoke is the same wheel as the Hed 3 (Hed has done minor updates, probably to the layup…I don’t know…ask them…)…I have owned both Trispokes and H3s. They are the same. TriSpokes can be had really cheap…and are super bomb-proof wheels. If anything they MAY need a bearing change…but that is relatively painless and inexpensive…I think it cost me all of $30 or so to have the bearings changed in the TriSpokes I owned for 10 years…
If I understand you post correctly, you are not specifically looking for race-day-only-wheels, so a disc or wheels cover is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when selecting a new set. You probably also would like to train and race on this new set of wheels.
If weight is not the #1 item on your list, but speed and aerodynamics are, then I suggest looking at a set of HED Jet 60s http://www.trisports.com/hedjet65rear.html
Since you ride a Dual, maybe you want a top quality road racing wheel that can be used for tri, in that case look at the Mavic Ksyrium SL’s
Most possible bang for the buck is a CH Aero disc cover for $60
That looks like a great idea and in my budget for the rear. But what about 650’s. It looks like this is only avalaible in 700?
Brian, something of interest for you:
From some of the recent posts, it would appear that my purchase of tubular race wheels and especailly Tufo’s are both increasing my rolling resistance.
To agree with previous posts, I have used a CHaero cover and a Renn disc… no discernable difference except for the Renn is a little cooler. But to clarify, a tri spoke (Hed or Specialized) routinely goes for 300 or so on Ebay these days- with shipping. I just ran a quick search and you can find some going for around 200, but you gotta be lucky to spot those early, they tend to get snatched up in ‘buy it nows’ pretty quick. Good luck