I have some Q’s. Yes, I’ve done a search, but couldn’t really find my answers.
What are the differences between carbon and aluminum wheel sets? The weights appear very similar, carbon costs more - beyond that? Ride?
How aero should I go to reap the benefits and versatility? I can buy rims with 34, 38, 50, 60 etc depths. I know wind affects the bigger ones more, and thus, the smaller ones appear more attractive for road racing, but 50mm may be a compromise. I understand that rotating weight is the biggest impact, in addition to aero. A disc is my next budgetary goal.
I currently train and race on Ksyrium SL’s, so you can see how aero may improve my overall.
What wheels are you looking at? I cant think of any Al wheels that weigh as little as carbon - if you are looking at aero wheels. Sure a Numble Fly is almost as light as a 202, those are not at all Tri wheels though (and the Nimble Fly should be called “Pringle”). The Mavic “iums” with the AL spokes are actually heavier than steel spoked wheels of a decade ago…progress eh?
I have not narrowed the short list down too much, hence my Q’s. I understand Zipp’s are light and well used on this forum, but pricey. Hed’s appear good value yet weights for Stinger’s are similar to Am Classic 420’s. I’ve reviewed most, but essentially I m trying to determine the right rim height, first. I believe carbon is probably the option…
FWIW, seems like I’ve seen a few Internet Stores / Sites with sales on Reynolds wheels - Nytro had one, not sure if they still did, Excel Sports I think still does. Now, this being said, I’ve not ridden on Reynolds, but did consider them before I decided to go with Zipps. Also, if you can swing it, All 3 Sports has a very good sale on Z6 wheels ( I think it was Z6). My guess is everyone is trying to get rid of '06 stock for the new '07 gear.
I can say Zipp is beyond easy to deal with if you have questions or issues. Hed - not so, at least for me. I’m still trying to get in contact with someone there. Reynolds - unknown. But this is something that mattered to me.
I had two Nimble Flys and the one guy is correct - not wheels for Tris. Maybe a Crosswind - similar to H3C.
Did it miss you saying if you wanted sewups or clinchers? You racing mostly flat or hilly or a mix? What about weight? All might make a difference.
As mentioned above, I’m really looking for rim depth help, however, no that you have mentioned it, either, although I am leaning towards sew-ups, lightest possible (but I’m 190lbs, so the choice becomes a little limited)…
If you ARE going to get a disc at some point, I would get a set of 404’s now (or stingers, or Blackwell 50’s). There are very few times when you would not use a disc, and you can use the other wheels for road racing, etc.
If you are NOT going to get a disc I would get a deeper rear (Blackwell 100, 808, Stinger 90) to go along with the 50-60 mm front.
I do tri’s on a Blackwell disc/100mm front. I have a set of 404 clinchers as well. The 404’s came with my bike, and I don’t use them very much. I should get rid of them, but they are such a cool set of wheels I do not want to get rid of them.
Sorry to hear about your HED woes. AS the Canadian distributor, I have had very few issues & the ones I did have were dealt with in a timely & effective manner. Do you have HED’s 1-800 number? How about the service email address? Who did you talk to?
Paul - I’ve not tried to call, but have sent a couple of emails to ‘hedtech@hedcycling.com’. Actually, now that you’ve mentioned it, I just checked out the website again and looks like they’ve added a few options that I don’t recall from before. I will say that when I tried, it was the middle of race season, and since it wasn’t “urgent” I didn’t worry much - just figured I’d try during the off season and never got back to it. My experience with Zipp has been they were really quick whenever I’ve called or emailed - even if it wasn’t the response I was hoping for - it was quick. But, I’ll try the “Mr. Speedy” option and see, looks like it goes to a person as opposed to a title. It’s also very possible that the question I asked isn’t supported, so they just opted not to reply. I’ll give that a week and then try the toll free number.
You might even know how or if this works as Zipp does. I’ve got a disc…an old disc. Now, if this was a Zipp, I could call up Zipp and get it crash / replaced as it’s probably not safe to use, and get a fair / slight discount on another wheel. All my question is is does Hed do something similar. If so - super, if not - bummer, but no big deal. Since I haven’t used the disc much it’s not a major issue, but I know next year I’d use it more if I had one. No sweat if you don’t know, perhaps someone else reading this will have had a similar experience.
Thanks for getting be off my rear and back on this again.
I would agree with this statement, but I think 808’s are the new 404’s.
Yep - I second this. 808s are the 404s. Or maybe get a 606, so you have the 808 rear and 404 front if you are small / light and / or do hills / windy races.
I’ve got a 404, 303 and my 808s and now, I only use the 808s.
I would agree with this statement, but I think 808’s are the new 404’s.
Yep - I second this. 808s are the 404s. Or maybe get a 606, so you have the 808 rear and 404 front if you are small / light and / or do hills / windy races.
I’ve got a 404, 303 and my 808s and now, I only use the 808s.
Thanks for your recomendations. Although I wasn’t looking for any recomendations, merely rim depth, it appears that the 404, which are 58mm is the answer? Are these appropriate for road racing with such a high profile??
it appears that the 404, which are 58mm is the answer? Are these appropriate for road racing with such a high profile??
Team CSC and Phonak raced 404s regularly throughout the Protour season last year (and probably for several years before that). Zipp 404s are very common in road races.
