Front Wheel Selection

wareagledusty

Guys, getting ready for IMAZ next month.  I am going to be running my new FLO disc on the rear.  Haven't decided yet what to run on teh front.  I have a HED 3 or Zipp 808 as my choices.  I did my RR @ B2B this past weekend with Zipps front and rear since my disc hadn't arrived yet.  I like the 808's as far as feel goes.  The HED seems to have a much rougher ride.   Any thoughts on which one would be the better choice?  Thanks!

 

dusty

mgraffeo

I'd say whichever wheel makes you feel better when you get on the bike. Probably not a material difference in speed between the two, but if the Zipp is more comfortable and/or confidence-inspiring, then go with that.

GMAN 19030

I'll be using H3 front/Zipp Disc rear.

wareagledusty

thanks guys. I think I am going to use the Zipp. The last time I rode the H3 I felt like it was beating me to death. Probably all in my head and if not any speed I might give up would be nominal.

ebe4zippy

Dusty,
Smooth is FAST!!! go with what makes you feel good for 112 miles.

Dave Tallo

I believe the H3 is still the more baddass-looking of the two choices. That would be the tiebreaker for me.

robin sarner

For me, the H3 makes my rig very unstable with wobbles at low speeds.    

But some of that is due to my size and my xxl large custom frame.

Carl

Agree the one that makes you feel more comfy!! You also said the Zipp rides much smoother. Bad azz vs Comfy should be a simple decision
Best of luck in Arizona!!

Woody Freese

Whatever makes your bum look smaller! :-)

GMAN 19030

The other great thing about the H3 is you don't need to worry about fussing with valve extenders. Just carry a 36mm spare and you're good to go.

harrast

I know this thread was related to IMAZ last year, but I just wanted to note that Tour Magazine did a test of the Zipp 808, Zipp 404, Hed Jet 9, Hed H3, etc. and found the Zipp 808 to be 2-4 watts faster (less drag) than the Hed Jet 9 (the next fastest non disk). The only wheel faster was a disk. Although the 808 was the champ, the Jet 9 is no slouch, and I recently acquired one myself, but the Zipp 808 seems hard to beat for fast, as long as you have all the other bases covered. FWIW.

http://www.tour-magazin.de/services/qtr/epaper_4_2011/page103.html

William Jenks

Never quite understood why, but it seems the H3 has always been slightly irregular in roundness and (for lack of better word) "trueness" more than standard carbon wheels, at least by reputation. I presume this is the source of bumpiness.

Brian Quarton [OLD]

Thanks Steven. For those taking a look, the article refers to the H3D not the H3. Nobody wants their product compared to the H3

GMAN 19030

The world will be in perfect balance when Hed finally makes a C2 version of the H3. That's the wheel I'm waiting for!!!