Clueless about wheels
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958 days
tri-ac posted 10 weeks ago.
instead of disc wheel, try disc wheel cover
much cheaper
642
Member
752 days
tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
As mentioned, a wheel cover is an option. You can get them for around $70 but you have to make sure the seal around the wheel is perfect or else you're defeating the purpose.
For sprints and Olympic distance races, you're looking at a very minimal gain. An aero helmet might be a cheaper option. But if you want wheels, then continue to read on.
IMO, best bang for the buck... Flashpoint 60's. It's a good all around wheel, inexpensive in comparison, made by Zipp, and deep enough for an aero benefit. Hed Jet 60's would be another choice. While the Flashpoints are structural carbon, the Jets are an aluminum rim with a carbon fiber fairing. I personally opted for the Jets.
They do NOT come with rim tape, tubes, tires, or cassettes. I can't speak for the Flashpoints but my Jets did come with skewers.
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UFTriGator posted 9 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
For sprints and Olympic distance races, you're looking at a very minimal gain.
Wheels are going to be worth a good minute+ over 40k. I'd hardly call that minimal. You'll easily see several people finishing within a minute at an Olympic race, so the wheels alone will make several places difference.
Even in a sprint, they're good for 30-45 sec depending on the distance, wind, etc. I've won sprints by less than that, so I can honestly say that fast wheels are very easily the difference between winning and losing....even in a sprint.
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
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Member
148 days
WanaBSpeedy posted 9 weeks ago.
I agree with tsylcic. I went with the Hed Jet 60/90's. And i dont know if TriVillage always does this, but when i bought the wheelset, they gave me 15% of the cost for the wheels towards anything else i wanted from the site. So i used the 15% on tires, tape, and tubes. Might be an option if you're looking to save money. Just my .02
642
Member
752 days
tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
UFTriGator wrote:
I've won sprints by less than that, so I can honestly say that fast wheels are very easily the difference between winning and losing....even in a sprint.
But you are in the small percentile group while I am in the larger. Therefore, for me, it IS minimal. It's like the Zipps versus every other wheel debate. For me, Zipps aren't going to make the difference that determine whether I win or lose.
So I push it back to the OP to decide whether it is minimal for their racing.
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1126 days
gjpure posted 9 weeks ago.
Thanks for the comments. I think it also depends on how strong of a rider you are too.
404
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307 days
Sully800 posted 9 weeks ago.
Well slower riders will move up more places by getting faster equipment. The difference is its relatively easy for slower riders to chop off 45 seconds through better training where as the people at the front of the pack can only make such large gains by investing in the best equipment.
692
Member
405 days
theShiba posted 9 weeks ago.
You know...
Whether it's "worth it" or not, I can't say. Personally, I don't want to be that guy that's a middle of the pack AGer rolling up on a bike that's more expensive that my car. Why? Well, I do Triathlon because I love it. Would I like to win some AG awards? Sure, and I think it's within my reach if I can improve on my run times. But, I am personally of the school of thought that there is a lot more that I can do to improve my bike split short of getting a fancy wheelset. Would wheels make a difference? Probably. Could they be the difference between winning and losing my AG? Maybe. But, ultimately, I don't care that much about winning or losing, which brings me to my real point:
At the end of the day, win, lose, PR or not, I know that I will have left it all out on the course. Whether or not wheels, helmets, aero bars, shoes, dimples, carbon, or whatever would have made my best faster is irrelevant to me.
But, that's me. For some people, they want to know how much faster they COULD have been with those wheels, or that helmet, or whatever. That's fine too... to those people, I say, do it... But, if you aren't one of those people... if you just want to do your best, then save your money and do more races.
Ok, and /rant.
I have no idea where that came from...
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353 days
TryScott posted 9 weeks ago.
I'm of the same school of thought as theShibe. But I'll admit that new toys do help my motivation. I know it's superficial and all, but it's true.
642
Member
752 days
tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
Whether it's "worth it" or not, I can't say. Personally, I don't want to be that guy that's a middle of the pack AGer rolling up on a bike that's more expensive that my car.
Well clearly your problem is you need a more expensive car. :)
I took third in my age group last year at 101. No big deal since there were only two of us. :) But seriously, I didn't have race wheels at the time so maybe if I did, I would've taken the number two spot because he was close enough that the wheels might've made a difference. But the first place guy was so far ahead I would've needed a rocket. And now that I think about it, the number four guy had race wheels.
The engine is the best investment. But I like my toys so I bought some wheels. I'll probably get power next to only find out that my flashlight generates more wattage. :)
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kakman posted 9 weeks ago.
$1500 on wheels may buy you a minute or two over the bike. $1500 on a coach will probably buy you a few minutes on a swim, lots more on the bike and a solid amount on the run. I'm not so competitive that I care whether I finish 28th or 35th but I do care about being healthy - and I think a coach will aid that and direct me to best use my available time.
but new wheels do look hot:)
So I am looking to upgrade to some racing wheels but I currently dont know much about it. All I see is these people with fancy disk wheels but I don't know what all of it means besides a little extra speed and a cool sound.
I ride a Quintana Roo Kilo I bought two years ago, and I generally ride in sprint tris and will start moving up to Oly's this year. Most courses are relatively low winds and with rolling to flat terrain.
I don't want to spend any more money than I have to. I want the best bang for my buck. Something middle of the road all purpose.
I know that Zipps are super expensive and popular but are they really that much better than Renn wheels at half the price? When you buy a wheel does it come with the tire already on it so you can switch them relatively easily?
What is the best setup for my bike and what should I be looking for? I don't know much and dont want to make a big purchase on something I do not understand.