Which Wheelset is right for me?
622
Member
477 days
Iron Dan posted 43 weeks ago.
I don't think that you are shortchanging yourself because you are buying a clincher over a tubular. However, there are definitely some advantages that a tubular has over a clincher.
The main advantages of tubulars are:
1) The rolling resistance of a tubular is less than a clincher because they can hold higher pressures.
2) Tubular tires and wheels typically weigh less than their counterparts. This is a weight savings as well as it allows you to accelerate and decelerate faster than with a clincher because they have less rotational mass.
The main advantages of a clincher are:
1) They are easier to patch or fix on the side of a road.
2) Clincher tires are typically cheaper than tubulars.
Clinchers are also gaining ground on tubulars by:
1) Clincher tires are now being made to where they can handle tire pressures of up to 180 psi, which is reducing the rolling resistance of the tire and bringing it near tubular rolling resistance
2) The rotation weight of a tire does not matter when you get the tire up to speed and are cruising along at a constant speed.
So in short, if you prefer a clincher tire, you are not really shortchanging yourself in my opinion. However, I prefer clinchers and someone who prefers tubulars might have a different opinion.
In regards to what type of wheel you want, I think the difference between a Zipp style wheel or a Tri-spoke wheel is what do you prefer the look of more. Either wheel set is very aerodynamic and would be a great set of race wheels.
If you decide to go the Zipp style wheel route, I would recommend looking into a wheel made by a company other than Zipp. Not that Zipp does not make a high quality wheel, but I believe that you would be paying a lot more for a wheel set than if you were to look at a few different wheel makers who makes wheels of comparable quality. I would look at Blackwell Research, Flashpoint, Planet X (I believe they only make tubulars), Cane Creek and so on. I have not heard bad reviews on any of these wheels and they are a lot more affordable
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
72
Member
329 days
john_grieco posted 42 weeks ago.
Thanks IronDan,
I think I've made up my mind on going the route of clincher - Thanks for suggesting other wheelsets besides hed and zipp. I'll definitely take a look at those.
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-T. S. Eliot
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350
Member
1332 days
tcrunner07 posted 42 weeks ago.
I Have 404's and really enjoy them. When looking at a deep rimed- 404 or deeper- and the tri spoked or even quad spoked, make sure you are comfertable with cross winds. I have 2 sets of wheels, trainers and the 404s, and there is a big difference with cross winds.
I do recommend the 404's but i really want a set of 303's
If you get a flat, and don't have a tube, Suck it up and run it in!!!
184
Member
358 days
psychosyd posted 42 weeks ago.
Go clincher 404's. If you have any hesitation's regarding the tubular wheel don't do it. The clinchers are becoming so advanced now days the performance difference is very little.
404's are pretty bomb proof. Stingers and Jets are nice as well. If you can afford the Zipp's do it, if not the HED's will give you similar performance!
Should be fast either way!
I'm thinking about purchasing a pair of race wheels - This will be my only pair and I want to buy something that will be versatile for the Northeast races that I'm doing (nyc olympic, westchester olympic, probably a few sprints (ct, harriman, etc) and two planned half-im's boise and probably timberman.
I like the idea of clinchers because I can change out a tire quickly and have less anxiety during the race..
So what do you think? am i short changing myself on clinchers over going for the tubular wheels?
And if I go with clinchers, which do you think? hed, zipp 404, other??
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-T. S. Eliot