Best rear disk for the money is HED. HED just makes great quality wheels, they have tons of research behind their designs and they're built to last. I've demo'd the HED standard disk and hahe heard great things about the Superlight. And for $595 and $695 respectively you can't beat the value for such a great piece of equipment, especially when you consider the Zipp Disc that isn't as durable and only slightly lighter for $1500+.

I was considering a Zipp 909 or 606 wheelset until I seriously looked at HED. Now I have twin HED3's. If I were to get a Disc, it would definitley get HED.

As I recall, you were looking for top of the line. And light.

What's the question, then?
Zipp's 303Z3s are light as air (1206 g for the [I]pair[/I]), and are are only $3,499.95 on winter clearance.
[url]http://www.worldcycling.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WSZZ3&...

[QUOTE=thehitman]As I recall, you were looking for top of the line. And light.

What's the question, then?
Zipp's 303Z3s are light as air (1206 g for the [I]pair[/I]), and are are only $3,499.95 on winter clearance.
[url]http://www.worldcycling.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WSZZ3&...

You can get the Rolf Elans for $1000 and they only weigh 1295g/pair. However, they don't have the bearings that the new high end Zipps do.

But, I do kinda like Hitman's way of thinking.

[QUOTE=CAcyclingFAN]You can get the Rolf Elans for $1000 and they only weigh 1295g/pair. However, they don't have the bearings that the new high end Zipps do.

But, I do kinda like Hitman's way of thinking.[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, I saw the special edition[I] Livestrong [/I] bike yesterday at the bike store. Maybe get that for hill training. $9,999.99 and worth it! Its got the bling.

[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/bobmayerlaw/livestrong_bike01.jpg...

Since you are into spending cash, why not go with a Zipp. Or if you really want to stand out, get the bontrager "crazy" disk. The one that looks lopsided because of the decal configuration.

[QUOTE=glbrum]Since you are into spending cash, why not go with a Zipp. Or if you really want to stand out, get the bontrager "crazy" disk. The one that looks lopsided because of the decal configuration.[/QUOTE]

Which, to my knowledge, is a rebranded HED.

[QUOTE=Triguy98]Which, to my knowledge, is a rebranded HED.[/QUOTE]

Pretty much. Bontrager has a tendency to ask Steve Hed to build wheels for them. The new Aeolus wheel is a perfect example.

When push comes to shove, the best wheels are HEDs.

Zipp is way too expensive and their wheels, albeit fast, aren't as durable as HEDs. If you want to spend a lot of money get a Zipp Disc or the Bontrager Disc or hell, get a Campagnolo Ghibli and drop some real cash. But you probably won't be getting any distinguishable advantage and you won't be any faster than someone riding on a HED Superlight. But for the sake of argument, let's say that the data that some have reported is accuate and that $2-3k wheel is a few seconds faster...is it really worth it, or should you just spend some more time clipped into the pedals, or hell, even working on your transition? I have pretty nice wheels, (HED3s) and I love blowing by people with much more expensive equipment, particularly Zipps. If you have inexhaustable funds, and burning money doesnt bother you, get the most expensive wheel you can find, they're probably the "best." From my point of view, it doesnt make sense. But hey, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong...

[QUOTE=thehitman]As I recall, you were looking for top of the line. And light.

What's the question, then?
Zipp's 303Z3s are light as air (1206 g for the [I]pair[/I]), and are are only $3,499.95 on winter clearance.
[url]http://www.worldcycling.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WSZZ3&...
DID YOU FALL AND BUMP YOUR HEAD?? :p

NEVER use the word ONLY and $3,500 in the same sentence...

[QUOTE=Learn]Setting up the new bike. Likely going with a Guru chrono.
Most things are decided but anyone have any thoughts on the best rear disk? Sometimes hard to get good info - much appreciated here. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

I have a question kind of related to this..I've always wanted a disk wheel, because they sound and look kewl... :p but never thought I was fast enough. I did 6:11 at IMFLA and passed tons of people with disk wheels, I just really want to understand what the advantage of a disk wheel is before I go out and get one..which I won't unless I do 5:59 at IMFLA this year as a reward... :D
Thanks!!

Assuming no cross winds, you will have a decent amount of time with a disc. Twelve minutes over a IM? I'd say more like 5-8 mins. Theres some #s floating around out there, but i cant find em right now. My personal choice would be the Hed 3s, due to their diversity, but if youve got the $$ for two rear race wheels, why not.

From Hed's website:
Q. How much time could I save in a 25 mile time trial by switching to aero rims?

A. It depends on the wheels. Using our 150 lb test rider in an aero tuck as a model, switching to aero wheels will typically save between 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes over a flat 25 mile course. Using a Deep front and Disc rear, two minutes is a realistic figure. At the other end of the scale, using a pair of J2s would be worth a saving of 1 minute.

[QUOTE=rredding]DID YOU FALL AND BUMP YOUR HEAD?? :p

NEVER use the word ONLY and $3,500 in the same sentence...[/QUOTE]

I'm feeling better today. Maybe cupid hit me over the head with a club, rather than shoot me with an arrow. :p

I'm thinking about sticking with my $600 TCR2 for a third season. I'd still like to add 1 mph or more to my race speeds, so I guess I'll have to spend a few hundred more hours road-testing the engine.

[QUOTE=Triguy98]Assuming no cross winds, you will have a decent amount of time with a disc. [/QUOTE]

In actuality, it is the front wheel that takes more of the abuse from the wind than the rear wheel. If you notice, when you get a crosswind, it's your arms that go all crazy which causes the rest of you and the bike to follow. Obviously, certain conditions (IMH) are extreme, but for the most part, a disk should be fine in all wind conditions.

[QUOTE=Ironm4n]I have a question kind of related to this..I've always wanted a disk wheel, because they sound and look kewl... :p but never thought I was fast enough. [/QUOTE]
I think you should get the disk. Look the part, and it will make you feel faster. If you don't feel like you have earned it, get a rear wheel cover from Wheelbuilder.com. It is <$100 and can be custom cut to the exact wheel that you have. They don't make the sweet "whoop" noise that the real disk makes, but it is every bit as aerodynamic.

If covers and disks are just as aero, I'm assuming there must be a big difference in weight (otherwise wouldn't everyone just get covers?). How big is the weight difference?

[QUOTE=glbrum]In actuality, it is the front wheel that takes more of the abuse from the wind than the rear wheel. If you notice, when you get a crosswind, it's your arms that go all crazy which causes the rest of you and the bike to follow. Obviously, certain conditions (IMH) are extreme, but for the most part, a disk should be fine in all wind conditions.[/QUOTE]

TcRunner and I were at a race this summer, dudes with discs were all over the place. Granted the winds were fairly strong crosswinds (a hurricane had blown through the day before) BUT:
while i was getting blown around a bit, it wasnt too bad. A dude in front of me, riding a disc, went from the extreme right side of the road (almost on the shoulder) all the way to the shoulder of the left side from one gust of wind. He was my AG, a little leaner tthan me (prolly ~165) but his disc caught all the air. In fact his whole backside almost went sideways.

Granted, the winds were pretty rough, but thats a decent example of what can happen. A disc is completely solid and a side wind of any decent strength WILL cause the disc to wander.

[QUOTE=Tri Hard]If covers and disks are just as aero, I'm assuming there must be a big difference in weight (otherwise wouldn't everyone just get covers?). How big is the weight difference?[/QUOTE]

The disk cover is about 500grams. So add that to the weight of the wheel and that's the "disk" weight. I don't know real disk weights, but I'm guessing that it would be lighter than a cover. Aren't aerodynamics more imprtant than weight though??? And for ~$70 as opposed to $500+??? It's not a bad alternative if you want the benefits without breaking the bank.

[QUOTE=Triguy98]TcRunner and I were at a race this summer, dudes with discs were all over the place. Granted the winds were fairly strong crosswinds (a hurricane had blown through the day before) BUT:
while i was getting blown around a bit, it wasnt too bad. A dude in front of me, riding a disc, went from the extreme right side of the road (almost on the shoulder) all the way to the shoulder of the left side from one gust of wind. He was my AG, a little leaner tthan me (prolly ~165) but his disc caught all the air. In fact his whole backside almost went sideways.

Granted, the winds were pretty rough, but thats a decent example of what can happen. A disc is completely solid and a side wind of any decent strength WILL cause the disc to wander.[/QUOTE]

I would agree that situations like that are ones to reconsider the disk, but you also have to take into account a riders handling ability. I often times find myself swaying back and forth just being in the aero position. I would think it is a combination of both rider's handling and wind conditions.

[QUOTE=glbrum]I would agree that situations like that are ones to reconsider the disk, but you also have to take into account a riders handling ability. I often times find myself swaying back and forth just being in the aero position. I would think it is a combination of both rider's handling and wind conditions.[/QUOTE]

While rider ability certainly plays a role (this dude was a sponsored athelete, so i dont doubt his handling skills) The huge surface area of the disc is certianly more suspect to wind conditions.

As for your swaying in aero, get yourself some rollers and a mouth guard. The mouthgaurd is for the first three times you go falling down. The rollers will correct your form in a hurry.

[QUOTE=Learn]Sup guys.

This is all very helpful.

More thoughts - maybe I should rethink the front wheel / whole wheel set thing?

Initial salesperson I was working with suggested Xentis for wheels over HED3 which were my initial thought. Then further conversations with salesperson I am working with now suggested a disc wheel.

If I was looking at keeping total wheel cost around 2k-3k (TOTAL - not for just one, so no Ghibli), and assuming I race mostly flat races, the most important being IM FL, what would the recommendation be?

Diminishing returns, definitly. Is there much difference between the zip999 and the zipz99?

Thanks. Appreciate all the helpful info.[/QUOTE]
The deal with the Zipp "Z" line is this:They take a batch of 10 Zipp 999 wheelsets and test them. Whichever one is the best out of those 10 is then called the Zipp Z99.I Beyond that, I don't know what makes them better, or worth the extra $$ for that matter. I don't exactly know how they test them or what they test for, but that's just what i know. I'm sure Zipp's website would have some info or search google. The 999 set is very nice. A guy I ride with has them for tt's and they are great. The front is an 808 and the back is the obvious disk. For a course like IMFL, the more aero the better, so the 999 set would be good. Also, you should check out HED. I know they have the Stinger line with a 90mm wheel. Blackwell has a 100mm wheel, too. [url]www.blackwellresearch.com[/url]. If it were me, I'd go for the blackwell 100mm front with a blackwell disk. It comes out cheaper than the Zipp and I don't think a lot of people have them. At least for now, that will probably change.

Zipp's Z999 Carbon Wheelset. SRM Durace Profesional Powermeter. Cervelo P3 Carbon, Dura Ace Group. CTS Platinum Package Training Program. Fly to the race in private plane. Stay in the presidential suite at the Westin with your top model girlfriend..... If i were a rich man tada dada dada da

[QUOTE=Esteban]Zipp's Z999 Carbon Wheelset. SRM Durace Profesional Powermeter. Cervelo P3 Carbon, Dura Ace Group. CTS Platinum Package Training Program. Fly to the race in private plane. Stay in the presidential suite at the Westin with your top model girlfriend..... If i were a rich man tada dada dada da[/QUOTE]

Definitely a sweet set-up, cant deny that. Just curious as to why you chose the P3C out of all the high end carbon bike choices around??

Congrats on the Guru...

I own a RaceLite, setup with DuraAce for tri's and time trials.

I bought a set of HED 3C's last year, and my wife got me a Renn 575 Disk. I got the tubulars instead of clinchers for racing, and I love these wheels!!!

The Renn 575 Disk retails for around $400, and I found a good deal on the HED 3C's online, all of the wheels were brand new.

For the power unit, I use the Polar setup, and I just look for trends after my training rides.

Got in 20 on the bike today, hill work, temp at 44.

[QUOTE=glbrum]Definitely a sweet set-up, cant deny that. Just curious as to why you chose the P3C out of all the high end carbon bike choices around??[/QUOTE]

I bought the Quintana Roo Lucero two months before the Cervelo P3 came out. I was hitting my head against the wall when i saw it, its ohhh so pretty!!! Plus my road bike is a Cervelo Soloist and its a great ride. Perfect fit for me.

Nuttin wrong with a Lucero at all! Very hot bike. I prefer the Tiphoon, though. I have a Ti fetish. It makes me drool in copious amounts. Mmmmm... Ti.....

Strange thing is that I dont like the Lightspeed Blade too much, i think its the graffics or something. If I was to spend outrageous amounts of dough on a bike, it would be a Tiphoon.