Hi all
I’m thinking of getting some Zipps for my 2014 p3. I mainly do 70.3’s and I’m doing my first IM in Bolton in 6 weeks.
I’ve always thought 404’s would be the best option but did a middle at weekend and although it was hilly there were a lot running 808’s and some with 404’s up front and an 808 on the back.
So I know it’s a general preference thing but wondered if anyone could recommend a good UK set up before I part with cash…
Thanks
808/disk or 404/disk.
808 and a disk.
I hadn’t even thought of discs… Thoughts on them for UK courses???
How about 404 and a cover?
I use a 404/808 combo. I think they’re a great balance of speed and handling. You can ride them in pretty much any conditions which makes for less stress when travelling to a potentially windy race (like Lanzarote or South Africa circa 2012) where you otherwise may have to take a selection of wheels. They’re also Kona legal which is good (discs are not legal in Kona).
Good shout. I can’t afford to buy more than one set so need something that will cover all angles…
Not sure I’m ever going to be fit enough to make it to Kona
Always ride a disc. Wind does not affect a disc. Your front wheel affects your steering. There is only a couple of courses in the world where you won’t benefit from a disc. Those courses have a huge amount of climbing.
If your going to Kona, rent an 808 rear if you have too. Otherwise, don’t give up the speed from the disc
One other thing to consider is that certain discs can be more unforgiving than spoked wheels in terms of transferring road vibration through your frame so if you ride on rubbish roads they can take a toll on your legs.
is there a noticeable improvement in handling of 404 vs 808 in moderate wind/crosswinds? or does it take significant crosswinds to realize an improvement in control of the 404s? thank you.
404 front and 808 back with cover. Great set up for all conditions I have been using a HED Jet 6/9 combo with a cover for a couple years and really happy with the set up.
I used a 1080 front rear sub 9 disc for the rear and when it’s really windy I swap the 1080 for the 404… The 404 are my best riding wheels ever.
How fast do you ride a typical race?
+1 on this setup. The 1080 and sub-9 are slightly more comfortable long distance than a solid disc such as a super 9 (although I do run the super 9 and 900 in races up to 600 kms). An 808 or 404 front for really windy days is an alternative.
ETA: For the OP’s concern re having only one set of wheels, 808 set or 404/808 plus a disc cover should work just about as well as most other options.
definite advocate for the 404/ 808 combo.
definitely do not ride a disk in Bolton - and for most other courses. simply too heavy and requires pro level speed to get benefit from. unless you’re averaging over 25mph i think you’re just lugging around extra weight.
404/ 808 gives lots of flexibility + performance.
definite advocate for the 404/ 808 combo.
definitely do not ride a disk in Bolton - and for most other courses. simply too heavy and requires pro level speed to get benefit from. unless you’re averaging over 25mph i think you’re just lugging around extra weight.
404/ 808 gives lots of flexibility + performance.
So much misinformation here.
Ignore that, read this, and unless you are doing Alp d’Huez where the bike has a tonne of net elevation gain, ride a disc.
http://flocycling.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/flo-cycling-great-debate-aero-vs-weight.html?m=1
am i correct in thinking that is a mathematical simulation only?
I hadn’t even thought of discs… Thoughts on them for UK courses???
Get a set of 808’s and a wheel cover. To answer the above the UK has a large TT scene with many of the top riders putting lots of time in windtunnels and generally doing lots of testing of kit. When do you ever see them not on a disc? Or to go one stage further if you timetrial yourself when was the last time you saw a TT won not on a disc?
I typically recommend a disc cover for versitility and convieniance - bit easier to travel with (less risk of damage on flights.) You also gain a bit of versitility you can still use the wheels for road racing/kona etc.
If you’re worried about weight as well you can get a rear wheel/disc cover setup with a very low weight if you go for some silly light shallow carbon tubs then tape a cover on. This is the route I’ve gone down.
Iain
am i correct in thinking that is a mathematical simulation only?
It is, but that doesn’t make it unsuitable for application to the real world.
Sensations when riding are rarely reliable/accurate when it comes to aerodynamics.
A disc may feel sluggish at times, but aero is aero. Whether you are fast or slow, that reduction in CdA is always there. Working in the background to your advantage.
The extra power required to pull a few hundred grams uphill is dwarfed by the power savings from reduced drag.
if computational fluid dynamics and mathematical simulations were in fact accurate, we would already have settled on the definitive fastest aero bike.
as far as i know, there are still a variety of designs, ideas and concepts. too many variables affecting airflow over a bike in real world.