Can we talk about upgrading wheels?

[Seajay]

I don't need a really aerodynamic wheel. I am looking for lighter ones. Of course, anything would be an upgrade from my current wheels (the stock ones). I'm not regularly going fast enough for aerodynamic wheels to make a difference. I realize that I'll have to compromise performance and comfort.

I hear this all the time. I'm not sure what physics book people are using.
If it's the physics of cheaper is better, I can understand.
But I don't think you can say you want to upgrade performance without exploring an aero wheel.
Even if you do average 12mph. ( a dubious arbitrary # anyway..)
Given that almost all the work (70%) you're doing is getting through the wind and that the newest versions of top end aero wheels do not suffer from the same control issues of their older cousins. One shouldn't discount the option.

I run 25mm tires on Zipp Firecrest wheels. It's the fastest, most comfortable setup I've ever had.

[pll]

Seajay: if I may ask a question... I live in a very windy area (10-15mph winds are not unusual; surges to more than 20mph are relatively common) and I would not be the type to be swapping wheelsets depending on conditions. That has been my rationale to stay away from aero wheels. Am I off base?

[Seajay]

Seajay: if I may ask a question... I live in a very windy area (10-15mph winds are not unusual; surges to more than 20mph are relatively common) and I would not be the type to be swapping wheelsets depending on conditions. That has been my rationale to stay away from aero wheels. Am I off base?

Hi PLL. Well, everyone's experience is different. Also a lot of folks' experience is on older rim shapes
The older style aero rims with the "pointy" trailing edge did tend to get blown around quite a bit. This is why you used to see so many folks running a smaller rim section in front.
However, the newer aero shapes with the "fat" trailing edge really are better in the wind. I'm no aerodynamics expert but the explanation given by Zipp is that the center of effort is moved behind the hub so the wheel sort of "self corrects" They explain that the pointy trailing edge rims failed to account for the fact that the trailing edge in the front becomes the LEADING edge at the back of the wheel.

Sunday our tri had a fairly long section with the 10-15 mph gusting wind right off the lake at a 90 degree angle. My friend had REGULAR non aero wheels and felt quite "out of control" I had my Zipp 404 Firecrest with about a 60 mm deep section. Did I feel the wind a bit...yes. But no more than any other wheel and I certainly didn't ever feel like I had to adjust my riding to compensate.

If I was a bit lighter and rode in a "gusty" windy area, I'd likely take the conservative approach and get the Firecrest 303 which is a bit smaller in section. Darn near as aero.

They're not cheap. I'll always recommend renting a set to see if they are for you. As you can tell, I'm firmly a believer.

[pll]

Thank you Seajay! I looked at the bike shop nearest to me and they have both 303 and 404 wheelsets available for rental. Hmm. It just might be in the cards for this weekend.

[Seajay]

Thank you Seajay! I looked at the bike shop nearest to me and they have both 303 and 404 wheelsets available for rental. Hmm. It just might be in the cards for this weekend.

Sounds like a great opportunity. I'm sure we'd all benefit from hearing about your experience renting them.

[barrelgal]

Great thread and advice! Right when I needed it! I too am thinking of "rewarding" myself with new wheels but have no clue where to start. I live in a really large city with a pretty active Craigslist for bike stuff and was thinking of going that way looking for new wheels but don't even really know where to start or what to look for.

Now you've made me start thinking of getting some custom built so I have even more options to consider!

[roguedog]

Hey you're in tx and could use joe young. He's supposed to be one of the best builders around.

http://www.youngwheels.com/

Not that distance matters in our day n age. Joe's built wheels for folks far n wide.

[Owlie]

I don't need a really aerodynamic wheel. I am looking for lighter ones. Of course, anything would be an upgrade from my current wheels (the stock ones). I'm not regularly going fast enough for aerodynamic wheels to make a difference. I realize that I'll have to compromise performance and comfort.

I hear this all the time. I'm not sure what physics book people are using.
If it's the physics of cheaper is better, I can understand.
But I don't think you can say you want to upgrade performance without exploring an aero wheel.
Even if you do average 12mph. ( a dubious arbitrary # anyway..)
Given that almost all the work (70%) you're doing is getting through the wind and that the newest versions of top end aero wheels do not suffer from the same control issues of their older cousins. One shouldn't discount the option.

I run 25mm tires on Zipp Firecrest wheels. It's the fastest, most comfortable setup I've ever had.

DBF says that he never felt any benefit from aero wheels over a simply lighter wheel until he hit about 18mph+. Given that there are a whole bunch of factors there, well...

[Wahine]

I tend to agree that aero wheels don't seem to make much of a difference until you're hitting 17 or more mph. I don't use them here at all because they are a pain in the arse in a wind unless it's perfectly head on. Otherwise the gusts throw you around like you wouldn't believe. Not a good feeling, especially when descending.