Disc, wheel cover...or neither?

Dawn Cass

Hi, looking for opinions on wheels. I currently have zipp 404 and 808. Would a disc wheel (or wheel cover) make a lot of aerodynamic difference? What about additional weight...assume that is a factor as well. I generally ride hilly courses...again, does that factor in?

Appreciate thoughts!

Keith Wick

buy the wheel cover for the 808 (I'm assuming that is your rear wheel). The wheel cover will make a difference.

Here is the data from wheelbuilder about the use of a wheelcover:

http://www.wheelbuilder.com/aerodisc-data.html

Al Truscott

At the risk of short cicuiting discussion, here's a good summary of the pros and cons. I would only add a disc cover is both way cheaper and in some cases slightly lighter than a disc wheel.

https://www.yahoo.com/health/its-all-in-their-heads-the-mental-edge-of-athletes-91479292102.html

Dawn Cass

Thanks Keith....will have a look! Do you ride with one?

Dawn Cass

Thanks Al...will have a read. Just curious then...what do you ride on? ;-)

Al Truscott

Posted By Dawn Cass on 27 Jul 2014 10:54 AM


Thanks Al...will have a read. Just curious then...what do you ride on? ;-)

Zipp 404 (650 wheels, so 808 not available), with a wheelbuilder cover for most races. I just completed IM CDA, which was both hilly and windy, with my disc cover. I really had no issues with the wind, which gusted up to 20+ mph, steady @ 15 mph for hours. As to the effect of the extra weight up the hills … hard to know without doing the course again without a disc cover.

Some races do not allow discs: Cozumel, Kona. Otherwise, its my opinion that a disc is always faster.

Dawn Cass

Thanks Al! And congrats on your finish as well...outstanding performance.

Coach Rich

Posted By Dawn Cass on 27 Jul 2014 07:17 AM


Hi, looking for opinions on wheels. I currently have zipp 404 and 808. Would a disc wheel (or wheel cover) make a lot of aerodynamic difference? What about additional weight...assume that is a factor as well. I generally ride hilly courses...again, does that factor in?



Appreciate thoughts!

Do you have a powermeter? Buy that first vs fancy race wheels.

Regardless, Wheelbuilder is a sponsor. Email me if you're interested in a quote, rich@endurancenation.us

Keith Wick

I have a basic training wheel that has a powertap and ride races with a disk cover. I just had a 2nd PT built into a deeper wheel (same depth as a 404) and also ordered a wheel cover with that. Like Al, I've never had an issue in the wind and usually have an 808 on the front with the wheel cover in the back.

Dawn Cass

Thanks Rich. Check on the power meter, was the first thing I got. Will shoot you a mail on the disc cover. In your opinion is it something you would recommend?

tcattri

@Dawn -

I just went through the same process this past spring. I decided on the training wheels with the PT and the disc cover. The PT has totallly transformed my riding and my running.

That disc cover came in handy on the race this past weekend. We had heavy headwinds and crosswinds for a lot of the race and I was still able to PR (even though i still have a lot of learning to do on how to race in the winds).

robin sarner

Get the wheel cover. Someone, maybe flo wheels, did a study showing aero trumps weight always (except maybe alp dheuz). And very versatile. If a race bans a disc the night before due to wind, take cover off. Can't do that with a regular disc. And flo owners told me to always run my flo90s with cover on back.

William Jenks

Agree with Robin. Another hidden advantage - if you're kind of cheap (like me), you can have your PM on your normal bomb-proof wheels and never have to invest in a real race wheel. Furthermore, you don't have to worry about PM to PM reproducibility. Of course, the crank PMs would have that same advantage.

Coach Rich

No need to work with me on the wheelcover. Just call up Wheelbuilder and tell them you are an EN member