New wheel choice
I have searched the forums for advice and have found a lot of great comments from everyone (thanks!)...but I still have a few questions.
A few months ago, I ordered a new Trek Speed Concept...it was shipped today and should arrive tomorrow! If all goes well, it'll be on the trainer by mid-next week. So I thought I had the wheel configuration all worked out, but now I'm not 100%. I have decided to go with a PowerTap (not purchased yet)...mostly so I can swap the wheel(s) between my road and tri bikes.
So the big question...what wheel brand and configuration to go with?
Trek wheels cannot be configured for a PT, so I ordered the new bike with the cheapest Race Lite wheels with plans to sell them. I was originally leaning towards a set of Zipp 808's. Now maybe an 808 with a 1080? Maybe HED or Mavic? Not sure.
I'm working with a blank slate so I can do anything...what would you do?
A few things to consider:
- I'm 6'3" and 195 lbs. I'lm planning to get down to 185 (probably not much lower) so the wheel needs to be sturdy.
- Most of my 2011 races are pretty flat (Oceanside 70.3, Vineman 70.3 and IMFL).
- 2012: Planning for IMWI (hilly) and IMAZ (flat).
- While a disc is fastest on a flat course with great conditions, I think something more verstile makes more sense.
- Because I'm going with a PT, I'll need to train with these as well. I have considered getting wheels just for the trainer...but my wife will leave me if I spend anymore money.
- I already have the Garmin computer.
- Price isn't super important. My good friend owns a bike store and I get everything at cost which makes the price difference less important. But if 2 brands are pretty much the same, I don't need to buy the more popular/expensive one.
- The new Zipp Firecrest (and one of the HEDs) wheels BARELY fit with some rigging (so I'm told). I don't want to force the wheels so I'd have to go with the "older" clinchers. No problem.
So you can see my dilemma. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Brian
Comments
That said, for significantly less month you can get a standard rear wheel for triainf and racing and just put the cover on it for racing. It will be just as fast as an 808 with a cover and cost a whole lot less.
I like wheel bling just as much as the next guy though so I have a quarq and can run any wheels I want.
Two things to keep in mind about a 1080, zipp will void the warranty if you put a PT in it and wheel builder won't make a cover for it... The spokes are too short for either to work correctly.
I would go with an 808 or Stinger/Jet 9 in the rear and you can cover it with a cover from wheelbuilder to turn it into a disc. Just make sure the disc cover will fit.
This will give you a very versatile setup.
You can use the disc cover for any courses that are not too windy and remove it if you need to (Kona).
In the front I would go as deep as you feel comfortable going.
I wouldn't worry too much about training on these wheels (especially at the price you can get them for).
From all reports I have seen they are fairly bulletproof.
I'm pretty sure the Hed C2 rims fit fine with the Speed Concept... if that's what you're referring to. I recall asking Carl Matson with Trek about it a few months back and he said it was fine. There might be some adjusting to do with the brakes but you pretty much have to do that with any bike running Hed C2's. It's not like the issue with Cervelo in which the toroidal shaped rims rub the frame. The SC is wide enough.
I know many of you are wary of Slowtwtich but there's a great Trek Speed Concept thread over there with all kinds of info: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2844072 -- it has like 1900 replies so it's a lot of reading.
@Matt and @David - good point on the 1080 and the PT. I just noticed that. Bummer.
I can't get a good deal on HED (my friend's shop doesn't carry HED due to minimum purchase requirements), so I think I'm gonna go with a pair of Zipp 808's + PT. The wheel cover is a great idea too. From what I've heard/read, it seems to work very well and is just a little noisy.
Does anyone see any issue with training on 808's all the time? Remember, 6' 3" and 190 lb
I think I know the answer...mixed comments...some people say no problem, some people say Zipp's that bulletproof.
Thoughts? And thanks again!
2 weeks ago, I posted a similar message and Carl replied stating they would fit, but would be very tight. I also chatted with Zipp online and they wouldn't guarantee a fit, but said they haven;t had any complaints...not very reassuring. They sort of bad mouthed Trek too. I'd prefer not to force them to fit...if it's not right, it's not right.
Also, the new FC shape is supposed to save 15 sec over 40K. I'm very much a middle of the pack age grouper very new to triathlon. I'm in for the long haul, but right now, 1 min
over a full IM isn't that big to me yet. I'd love to get that free speed/time, but not at the cost of the wheel possibly not fitting right and rubbing, etc.
Do you think I'm being too cautious? Thanks again.
Keep in mind:
- No wheel is bulletproof. Hitting a pothole at the right speed/angle can break any wheel. I'm 135lbs a put a dent into the brake track of a 808 clincher by hitting a reflector on the road. If something happens on a training wheel it will probably cost about $100 or less to fix at any bike shop any where, if you damage a 808 it's about $700 for a replacement rim alone, that you likely have to order from zipp.
- Changing flats can be slightly more difficult as you need to make sure you have extenders with you and can properly get them to seal on a spare tube on the side of the road.
Those reasons and cost are why the general recomendation in EN is to get a 32 spoke training wheel with a PT and a wheel cover. You can train on it and race on it at just about every race in the world except Kona.
Caution is completely understandable when you're looking to drop a shitload of money on a new bike.
My best friend growing up owns a bike shop and he will sell me a SC at cost and I'm really considering it. Not that I really need a new bike but I was looking at maybe getting a SC when the 2012 models arrive later this year. I asked Carl about possible changes for 2012 and he said most of the tweaks have already been adopted (new draft box and seat clamps) on the newer 2011 models. About the only change will be to the paint schemes and graphics. I'd like to get Di2 put on it but I'm having a hard time justifying the price increase. I'd probably go with SRAM Red and sell the cranks since I already have a Quarq.
I'll ask my buddy what his experience has been with Hed & Zipp wheels on the SC. He'll give me a honest and unbiased answer.
Bob, is this offer good for any other residents of TX?
His shop is actually up in NY where I grew up. He'll ship it to me.
The offer is only good for me.
He said there are no issues using Hed C2 or Zipp wheels on a SC beyond a possible brake adjustment which would be standard fare on any bike.
He said his shop has sold a bunch of SC's with Zipp or Hed wheels and there's never been a complaint about them unlike the situation with Cervelo. His quote to me from his email was...
"I am sure there is no problem or we would have heard... When they figured out that the Cervelo P4 wouldn't work with the Zipp disc and Hed wheels, everyone was aware."
Hope that helps.
And to make everyone super jealous...
That's freaking insanely cheap. I'm SO jealous!
Ladies and gentlemen, the most hated man in EN!
Okay, I will stop... until I get it and then I will post pictures and infuriate you again!
Those are great prices...but you'd throw up if you knew what I paid.
FYI...for me...
Ordered: 1/5/11
Est Ship Date: 2/22/11 (48 days)
Actual Ship Date: 3/2/11 (56 days)
Don't get rid of the Felt just yet...anything can happen.
Trust me. I won't get rid of my Felt until I have the SC in hand, fitted properly and completely ready to roll.
Do you have yours in hand now? Have you ridden it yet?