I know that there have been tons of posts about racing tires, the best brands, etc. I'm still up in the air about what kind to get (style, brand, etc.) but I also wasn't sure if it matters for the distance.
The bike I'm riding now came with Kyserium Elites (not too shabby) and the Ironman Michelin tires. So far, they've gotten me through a LOT of miles (I'm at work so I don't have my log with exact mileage) both training, and the past 5 races. Now, I'm concentrating on distance for my first HIM at the end of October. I'd like to get some good racing wheels and had the following questions:
Does it make much of a difference in wheels/tires for sprints, olympics, or HIM's?
Tubes vs. clinchers? - At my local bike store, they also said you have to change your brake setup if you have one and switch to the other. True?
Can anyone out there recommend a brand? I looked at Zipps (awfully light.....awfully expensive) and some HED3's. I don't mind spending the money if they're going to be worth it, but I thought I'd try and get some objective responses instead of talking to salesmen at the store I saw them in!
Thanks for any help,
Armour
I would say that it can make a terrific difference. I'm not fortunate enough to have race wheels right now, but I have had the oppurtunity to borrow Zipp 303's for a few rides this summer and have been amazed at the difference. I know that the difference is a combination of weight, switching to tubular versus clincher and just the thought of having those wheels on the bike.
You may have to change your brake setup for different rim material, width, etc.
One other note since you're in Philly. Do you know about the flea market at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome in Trexlertown? It's well worth the trip. Everything from guys emptying their garage to shops and pro teams (I bought my Cycleops trainer from Navigators last year) dumping out alst year merchandise. If you're in the market for race wheel it's the place to go. I've seen Zipps going for $700-$800. A pair. Brand new. I ususally even pay the fee (I think it's $25) to go in as a vendor cause you get in two hours early and can get the real deals.
I got HED-3's and they do make a big difference. I went with the clinchers. The HED-3C are the same wheel, but without the alum. rim - so it uses tubulars. So they are a bit lighter and faster. And those do require new brake pads for carbon.
I have used them for sprints up through 1/2IM's - and will use them at IMWI 2006.
I feel it was a great investment, but certainly not a cheap one. It is a lot of $ for a few minutes shaved off of the bike split. I love my wheels and I think they make me train even harder, so that might be the biggest benefit that I got from the wheels.
I have the Velomax Aluminum Clincher wheels that came standard with my Cervelo.
I use them on my trainer on outside on my training rides.
I change over to my Zipp 404 Tubulars for events, they are definitely lighter, and more aero.
Question: do I really need to change brake pads? I have only used the Zipps a few times.
Am I damaging them? The brake pads I have seem to be stopping me okay.
In order of things to help you get faster on the bike, here is how I would spend my money/resources:
1. Superior bike fit
2. Best possible body composition. Power to weight ratio on the bike is HUGE.
3. Great coach
4. Power measuring device and knowledge to use it properly
5. Race wheels
I am fortunate to have all of these. Too many people jump right to the race wheels. They ARE nice to have and look cool, but if you're in the sport for the long haul, the other things are more important, IMHO.
I bought the HED-3C's, they were lighter, and tubular. For the difference in price, I went with the Carbons. I went through a set of regular brake pads, before I went with the Ceramic Brake Pads. Be aware, that these pads aren't going to last 1000 miles or so, the carbon rims eat them up.
I love these rims! So far on Konas List, I have #1, #4, and #5. I'm working on #2, and my Faithful Pit Crew hasn't yet bit on the idea of #3 yet. Maybe if I win an event that may change her mind....
[QUOTE=Great Greyhound]Maybe if I win an event that may change her mind....[/QUOTE]
Careful, that may convince her you don't need a coach.
And I agree with Kona and the list she put out there. I've got a good fit, another 10 pounds or so to get to a good body composition, I'm reading every resource I can get so I can become my own good coach and I'll invest in race wheels when I can afford them, but the powermeter is a much higher priority.