Am looking at getting a set of Zipp wheels, but am a bit torn. I’m about 195 lbs, but not sure if I should be looking at the “clydesdale wheelset” or possibly another Zipp product, or follow my heart and go with a pair of 808 (deep dish wheelset) or the 909 (deep front, disk rear). Both are about the same price. These would be for Oly, Half and possibly IM distance racing - and possibly some training.
I saw a snippet from a post by Tom D about some of their wheels:
“Zipp 808’s, 606’s and 999’s. The deeper the faster. Not for everyone. If you even ask about crosswind instability you are not a member of the club. I swear, (and I have NO data to back this up) these are the fastest wheels available. If you have to ask you can’t afford them, but they are oh-so-worth it.”
Actually you can get most any Zipp wheels with a higher spoke count, or get their Cyclocross rim with about 40g increased material for more impact resistance. I would think the deep rim or disc in the back 28 hole, and either an 808 or 404 rim in a 24 or 28 in the front would work well. Putting a cross or two on the 404 would be nice and not really slow the wheel down. I run a disc in back and have Hed 3 in front for tri/TT and am working on a wheel as above for the Spring. My biggest issue is to decide if I want it to go as mostly a climbing wheel or aero wheel.
If I weighed what you do I’d go for the disc and a cyclocross rim with clyde spoking in 808 depth (just not sure if they make that wheel…if not, then the 404 cyclocross rim is perfect for you). The wheel will be bomb-proof and still have 100% of the aero properties of the lighter sibling. AND the wheel won’t squirm around under your ability to load it (which is significantly higher than the 140lb guys, no matter how bad you are and how good they are). The ounce or two that adds to the wheel is insignificant to somebody your size.