I’m in the market for a new front wheel and have done as much research as I can. Really the only two options available to me are are an H3 or 808 and I’m having trouble deciding between the two, so I’m wondering if anyone here has anything to offer based on their experiences.
H3 is fast but you need a really skinny front tire in order to get all the benefits. The 808 is a faster wheel given the current tire market. Pains me to say because the H3 is the coolest wheel of all time and I am a previous owner of one.
Let’s assume you had a skinny enough wheel, still an 808?
808 is faster, H3 is cooler. We are talking seconds here, your call. I have a 808.
I agree that the H3 is the coolest and it has taken on a legendary status. In the old days it tested neck and neck with the 404. These days I think it’s over rated. Still a good wheel and you an get a good deal on the used market, but I think the 808 is faster and possibly more stable.
Depends on how fast you are and what sort of cross wind you expect. At low yaw the H3 is faster (by a bit). At the yaw angles most of us see, the 808 will be faster.
H3:
-Tubular only (but there are some very fast tubular options… Schwalbe Ironman on this wheel should be amazing)
-Faster at low yaw
-Bomb-proof
808:
-Clincher or tubular, wide tire selection
-Faster at high yaw
-Possibly better braking (using Zipp’s pads)
This is incorrect. I’m riding clincher H3s right now with Supersonic 700x20 tires. Sometimes I throw on a GP4000s 700x20 if I’m leery of road conditions.
I love the H3. Either as a set OR H3/Disc…that’s a rocket.
I own a HED3, and I believe that for super fast time trials where there is low wind (low yaw), there is no faster wheel than a HED3. It’s like having a disc wheel on the front of your bike. Of course you need a super-skinny tire for it.
But if you plan on racing this wheel for lots of triathlons, the 808 is probably the better wheel. It’s faster in the wind (high yaw) and it’s easier to handle when gusts hit you. If someone wanted to trade me my HED3 for a newish 808, I’d highly consider it.
I love the H3. Either as a set OR H3/Disc…that’s a rocket.
Agree, H3/Disc is a super fast setup on a light wind day. Really wish I hadn’t sold my H3 front now that I’m racing IMAZ next year!
I love the H3. Either as a set OR H3/Disc…that’s a rocket.
Agree, H3/Disc is a super fast setup on a light wind day. Really wish I hadn’t sold my H3 front now that I’m racing IMAZ next year!
I’ve never ridden in stronger more consistent wind than I did at IMAZ this year…H3 would have been a poor choice.
I love the H3. Either as a set OR H3/Disc…that’s a rocket.
Agree, H3/Disc is a super fast setup on a light wind day. Really wish I hadn’t sold my H3 front now that I’m racing IMAZ next year!
I’ve never ridden in stronger more consistent wind than I did at IMAZ this year…H3 would have been a poor choice.
Agreed as I volunteered this year and the wind was brutal. Hoping it’s not like that next year!
808 - more versatility IMO.
However, rent them or get a demo from your LBS and try them out…wheels are so close that it comes down to personal choice/feel/aesthetics in the end.
Agree on comments re high wind: 808 a better choice but can still be sketchy for lighter riders.
From just looking at wind tunnel drag data provided by both companies, the H3 performs extremely well at low yaw angles up to 5 degrees (basically no cross wind). Its drag increases a lot once past that. Usually aero wheels that’s set up like the 808, Hed’s own stinger, flo, perform slightly worse (10-20 grams more of drag) in headwing and low yaw but outperforms the H3 by alot once past 10 degrees of yaw.
So if you’re positive that you’re never going to ride in the cross wind, take the H3. But 808 is a much better all rounder.
happy racing and training!
What would you consider a “light rider” for an 808?
What would you consider a “light rider” for an 808?
depends, I’ve seen people sketched out by an 808 on a windy day that are 180lbs
and I’ve seen people 130lbs not sketched out by an 808 on a windy day.
The Hed 3 is a completely dated wheel that really has no place in a triathlete’s aero arsenal.
Designed around a very narrow tire, the Hed 3 has only 1 tire option that is suitable: the Conti 20mm Supersonic. If you run anything other than that combo, you’re giving up ~5w to modern set ups.
Hed GT3
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Hed GT3
I can see no reason to run GT3 over a Hed Jet 9+?
when mine wear out, I’ll consider getting something else. 20 years in, and still going strong. (front wheel needs new bearings, but otherwise they’re fantastic.)
I’ve had other stuff in the meantime, everything else has broken or failed in some way.
I’ve found that the Vittoria Corsa CX 21mm lines up well with my older H3.
jaretj