I’m a 6’ Athena riding a QR Caliente w. Shimano wheels (which John C. so nicely set me up on about a year ago). I have an opportunity to buy HED wheels and am wondering which ones I should get - the choices are:
HED3
Disc
Jet 60
Jet 90
Alps
or any combination of the those.
Suggestions anyone? Please keep in mind that I ride a variety of conditions, live in Dallas and my “A-Race” this year is Ironman Canada.
HED3 Front, Disc Rear. Just about the fastest combo around. If you are a competent bike handler, the HED 3 up front won’t be a problem. If it’s really blustery (not just windy), you could always throw your Shimano back on the front. The Alps would be a great all around wheel, but not as aero as the HED 3/Disc.
Normally I would have recommended the spoked wheels with deep rims for all around conditions. But after reading the article cerveloguy posted yesterday about aerodymanic vs weight time gains…I’ll go with the above suggestion of the H3 front and disc rear. Even with the hills at IMC it looks as though you benefit far more from the aero benefit thatn you would from the weight reduction. And hey, if you watch the tour time trials at all there has to be a really good reason the pros ride the trispoke front/disc rear set up for all but the alpine stages. Gonna have to head out and get me a trispoke front to go with my Renn 575 now (sigh…another wheel to add to the collection).
On closer inspection, note the average speed of 17.4 mph is the break even point for a disc over a mid-section spoked wheel. I can see how Chris Horner can go faster than this over a (short) 3+ mile course with a 400’ rise, so he should use the disc. Your average AG’er I doubt could sustain this speed over a 10 mile uphill with a 1200’ rise (my example). I’m thinking there may still be some usefulness left in my spoked race wheels.
Well of course there is always a use for the spoked wheel. Which is why I try to have at least one set of every kind of race wheel available at my disposal. Hate to get to a race and have the conditions change and be left without the RIGHT wheel. That would be a faux pas. Mind you all my wheels are clincher so I guess that negates the whole purpose.
“HED3 Front, Disc Rear. Just about the fastest combo around. If you are a competent bike handler, the HED 3 up front won’t be a problem. If it’s really blustery (not just windy), you could always throw your Shimano back on the front. The Alps would be a great all around wheel, but not as aero as the HED 3/Disc.”
Ditto. And I won’t even mention CH Aero disc covers this time.
But of course, the dream car is a 68-70 GTO!! I saw several advertised in a classic magazine for over $100K. Guess I missed the window on my dream car too.
My ex brother in law has an original 1964 GTO, unfortunately not a convertible but still very pristine. Great big boat, I don’t really understand the fascination for them. I was always into the British stuff. Owned Triumph TR4, Spitfire, TR8, MG Midget, MGB and three Austin Mini-Coopers. Also owned two Porsche 356’s. Someday I’ll own another classic sports car again. Unfortunately by that time I’ll probably have to take out a mortgage to be able to purchase them. I can remember when they were just regarded as old cars and were really cheap. Nowadays more investors buy these things than do genuine enthusiasts.
The others will work, but the H3 will last you probably as long as you compete. H3 is bombproof, FAST, and reasonable in the weight department. Weight shoudn’t even be a concern for you, being an athena. Unless you suddenly become a 110 lb sprite who only rides mountains, the H3 is your wheelset. Make them tubular and put a good set of Tufos or Contis on and they’ll take you wherever you need to go. . .QUICKLY!
My Dad has a 64 Pontiac Catalina convertible at home. It’s what he brought me home from the hospital in and the car I learned to drive in. I’ve always been an American car person. Always will be!