Flashpoint FP60?

charris

Hay's in the barn - time to paint the barn!

 

I'm toying with the idea of picking up a deep front for kicks (and "free" speed).

 

I'm ~147 and generally pretty easy on equipment.

 

Somewhat budget minded so thinking of going with Flashpoint - probably the FP60 (Rich still has some left in stock so I can get a decent enough deal).  Have to admit I get a bit nervous just looking at the 80.

 

First big use would be IMC if I get it and ride it enough to feel comfortable with it.

 

Thoughts?

Bob Irwin

I have the FP 60's and think they have definitely worked out the best for me. I have 24 spokes rear and 20 front. They have worked great for every day, and I have race wheels - what more could you want.

mgraffeo

I've ridden the 60 front, and recently bought the 80 front. Rode it at placid with no problems. The stiff wind combined with the 50mph downhill did make for a nervous moment when it blew me over a few inches onto the not so smooth section of the road, but otherwise I had no problems with it, and would totally ride it again. I'm 5'9" and 155. I'd guess that you'd have no problem with either one. The 80 really did feel like free speed, gotta admit.

mancona

I ride an 808 up front with no issues at all and weigh 135, but ymmv.

Have you risen a deep wheel before? If not, find a wheel to borrow and see what you think yourself.

I personally do not think a 80mm deep wheel is a big deal but if you are nervous about it go with the 60mm as the speed difference is minimal and not worth having to worry about one more thing on race day.

Many zipp dealers have demo wheels available.

HayesSanborn

 I use an 808 in the front 148-152lb with the disc cover. Love it. Wish I went with the 1080, I've had no issues....

charris

Hmmmm....interesting.

So I guess the question Mike is whether the 60 would have only blown you 3/4 of the way?

I'm a fairly confident rider that doesn't mind speed - although I have to admit my confidence goes down every time I *read* about speed wobbles.

 

I haven't rode deep before which is one of the reasons I ask.  I probably could ask around locally and find something to try - good point.  My initial thought was that the LBS doesn't carry FP and I didn't really want to try out a Zipp there and then buy a FP online.  Although I did buy my bike there so they shouldn't complain much!

 

Thanks for the advice everyone - appreciate it - sounds like I can't go too far wrong either way.

tgarson

I was really suprised to see what seemed like a really honest and no-BS assessment on this subject right on HED's main page:



 

Deeper,shorter, disc, wire spoked… which is fastest?





The answer is variable because some wheels work well only in a small range of wind angles (they work great in their sweet spot, but the range isn’t huge). If you look at our drag chart the Stinger and Jet 90s look fabulous at 12.5°, and they are, but at 15° they’re stalled out, and an H3 is a faster wheel. By 20°, a Stinger 6 is faster than a Stinger 9.



Yaw angle on wheels is more than just looking a wind vane and comparing that to the direction you are traveling. Apparent wind is what you and your wheels “see” as you ride. Apparent wind is a vector that figures your forward speed and direction along with the meteorological wind speed and direction. Check our apparent wind calculator here.



In general, the faster a rider goes, the more the apparent wind turns toward 0°. The slower a rider is, the more the apparent wind looks like the actual weather conditions. For example, in an 8mph wind, a 26mph rider “sees” wind angles from 0-17°, depending on the actual wind direction. In the same wind a 20mph rider sees 0-21°.



The next step is some rough figuring of probability. The S9 is stalled by 15°. Out of 360°, the faster rider sees a wind angle 15° or more in 26% of possible wind angles. On any given day, with an 8mph wind the S90 will be the fastest possible wheel ¾ of the time. The 20mph rider sees 15° or more 58% of the time. More often than not the S90 will be slower than an H3.



So, if you are top 20 at the State TT (or faster), a deep wheel like the stinger 9 or Jet 9 is a good choice. BUT, if you are an Ironman age grouper with a bike split of more than 5 ½ hours, that Stinger 9 that the pros are riding is probably going to be a slower wheel than an H3 or Stinger 60. 



If you are able, then by all means get several wheels. You will be assured of having the fastest wheel available for nearly any condition. If, like the majority of us, you are limited to a single aero wheelset, then take the time to figure out what wheelset is optimum for you. We’ll help you.



When you get your wheels, RIDE THEM. Train on them. Aero wheels are fast, and our wheels are the fastest, but they’ll feel different than traditional training wheels. Not dangerous different, but you have to get used to them. You will feel the wind more, you’ll come into corners faster. If you only ride your fast wheels on race day, you might never get comfortable and truly fast on them.

For reference, the stinger 9 is analogous to an 808/FP80 whereas the Stinger 6 is analogous to a 404/FP60.



I was impressed with this because it seems quite contrary to the general Slowtwitch-esque attitude of deeper is better so you should HTFU.

providince

You may want to consider Real Design wheels or Renn. Or if you want to order from the chinese company that makes their wheels (Yishun), you can get a very good deal. I have an 88mm Renn front and it is great. Full carbon clincher, no problems with braking surfaces. Even hit a pot hole on a 45 mph descent that twisted my aerobars but the carbon clinchers survived, no damage. You can get them by emailing the factory at yishunstefano@gmail.com. They have all size wheels.

kmepham

@Craig, thanks for bringing the FP60 to my attention - I promised myself I'd get an aero front wheel as a reward when I get my FTP up to 250 (hopefully by next season?), and the FP60 seems like a good wheel for the money.

When you say Rich still has some left in stock, which Rich is that?

@Trevor, that's a great article, thanks!

charris

@Trevor - agreed - very refreshing read - thanks for pointing it out.

@Jeff - that's a great point and probably one I didn't explore enough. I've heard good things about both, and also about Neuvation.

@Kevin - You deserve it! You can drive yourself nuts, but from my research it seems like Flashpoints are pretty damn good (SRAM S60 is basically the same wheel as FP60, mainly different decals I think). Flashpoint/SRAM are 9X percent of Zipp goodness with a somewhat more palatable price point.

Rich is Rich Sawiris at wheelbuilder.com We call him "Good Rich" so we don't get him confused with CoachR. Only problem is Rich doesn't sell Flashpoint anymore - this was some stock he had left around the shop.

Thanks all - I went with the FP60 - I was leaning towards the 60 and Rich didn't have the 80 so that made the decision for me.