I have been trying to decide on a new set of race wheels and have already posted for suggestions in another thread. I’m nwo trying to decide between Hed3’s, Jet 60/90 combo or Jet90/90. I’m also considering the possibility of adding a wheel cover to the Jets for races that would benefit from a disc. I’m going to be racing at about 190lbs so the Jets would have to be a clydesdale version, althought I’m not an overly aggressive rider. I’m usually pretty stable in the saddle.
Anyway, in my discussions with the folks at HED they have recommended the HED3’s first, but have noted that the Jets would be a decent second option. Many of the posts I have searched on the forums also seem to promote HED3s as the most versatile, aero and durable wheelset HED makes.
So, my question is, with other posters on the site and HED themselves recommending HED3’s most of the time, why does the majoity of HED bike pjorn I see posted on slowtwitch seem to have Jet wheels vs. HED3’s?
If you decided on Jet’s vs HED3s, why? Are you happy with your decision?
Although I think there will be little difference between the two options performance wise, I think the HED3s would be better suited to my build due to their durability. However, I just can’t get over the aesthetic aspect. I much prefer the look of the Jets and don’t know if I should give up a little bit of durability and performance so that I can get a wheelset I’ll ooh and aahh over every time I look at my bike.
I considered both as well, then went with the Hed3’s. I think you alluded to the absolute biggest difference and the most important one:
Pick the set that makes you happy and want to ride!!!
I think the placebo effect is probably greater than any actual difference between them, so go with the ones you like best. Personally, as a borderline Clyde, I decided I don’t like spokes.
Back in 2006 when I bought my Jet 90 the Jets were a lot less than the Hed3’s. Since then the Jets have gone up at least $100 per wheel. Not sure that is a valid argument anymore.
I was on the fence too last spring between Jets and H’3’s. Called Hed and talked to a guy for quite some time. He asked what type of rider, my size, bike, races I was doing etc… He ended up recommending the Jet 60/90 combo for me and that is what I got. No complaints for the wheels after one year.
I think the 90 rear, H3 front is a great combo. Very versatile. You can add a disc cover to the rear and you would have the most aero combination out there.
I went with JET’s because I’m told it might be smoother ride then the Hed3’s. I was told the the Hed3’s are more aero, but i wanted a smoother ride. PLUS my initials are “JET” so it was a no brainer for me.
I contacted Wheelbuilder this afternoon and asked if they could do covers for Hed3’s, Jet60 and Jet90’s. Jet60’s were the only ones he said they could do well. Hed3s were not possible at all. They could do a cover for the Jet90, but the size of the cover would be so small that the fit/shape wouldn’t be ideal. He said it would end up kind of warped. I didn’t go into a lot of detail about it, but I got the impression that a lot of the aero advantages of getting a cover would be lost due to these problems.
I might be mistaken but a HED3 cannot be trued right? Whereas Jets can? On that alone, I would go with Jets.
I don’t think that’s much of a factor. I don’t reckon there’s much of a risk of H3s going out of true much as the spokes are massive (in comparison to a normal spoke) stiff sections of carbon fibre. It’s not the same as having a normal spoked wheel where differences in spoke tension may cause a wheel to go out of true.
Both sets of wheels are great and you’d be happy with either. I have H3 clinchers and love them. I use them a lot, not just for races and they seem bomb proof.
I don’t reckon there’s much of a risk of H3s going out of true
It’s not the same as having a normal spoked wheel
and yet we see thread after thread after thread on ST about a H3 being out of true.
a “normal” spoked wheel can be returned to true.
Really? Which threads? I recall seeing one where this was debated, with differing views. I thought I read pretty much all the threads to do with Hed3s before buying mine.
I have seeen some posts about out of true Hed 3 wheels. My guess is they left the factory that way and were probably less than grade “A” wheels in the first place. That or they were involved in some wierd accident other than just bike riding. No question the Hed 3’s are the most bullet proof and durable wheels out there. Given how fast they have proven to be-- .02 or so seems like a very good trade off to me. That being said, they will never be as true as a spoked wheel. Still, as long as they are true and round coming from the factory they really should stay that way. The new hub design also helps, and the wheels at the local shop near me all are .015 out of true or better.
Get the Jets. I have worked at two very large retail shops in the US and my experience with them is better than with the Hed3’s. Like someone else said, they can be trued. The Hed3’s are great, but many of them are not true. Also the Jets can add a powertap. The downside to them is that they are much wider than the zipps, but I have ridden both (hed3 clincher, and they weigh a ton) and i liked the Jets much more.
I don’t reckon there’s much of a risk of H3s going out of true
It’s not the same as having a normal spoked wheel
and yet we see thread after thread after thread on ST about a H3 being out of true.
a “normal” spoked wheel can be returned to true.
If you do a search you’ll see thread after thread pointing out that HED3’s are a rigid carbon structure that don’t go out of true. It is possible, however, that they need to be “centered” which is done at the hub. Comments otherwise are because of obvious unfamiliarity with the wheel.
