Need new rear wheel --- suggestions wanted
I found a crack in the carbon on my newly PT-installed 404 wheel. Aarrgghhh!! Plus there is a bunch of dimpling at some of the spoke/nipple areas (kind of like longitudinal waves).
Anyhow, I am looking for suggestions if it ultimately ends up being my responsibility and neither the folks that built up the wheel (QBP) nor Zipp will warranty. (I am hoping QBP will do so since I have only the wheel back from them for 7 weeks.) In that case, I *GUARANTEE* I will be using wheelbuilder.com to build up my new wheel.
What rear wheel buildup would you suggest I get to use for training and racing? Also what front wheel do you recommend in general?
Additional Info:
- My "A++" race this year is Kona (lotteried in), so a wheel cover is not an option for that race.
- I am
- I already own a 404 front, but am considering selling it anyway so I can get what I want
- I have a set of Easton EA90 wheels that were my everyday wheels before I got my PowerTap.
- If it matters, I am 165#
- I bought the 404s used about 18 months ago, so I just learned that a ZIPP warranty is not an option.
I know Coach Rich is a big advocate of the HED Belgium wheel, but what say you TeamEN?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
Comments
Zipps are overpriced. Hed and Zipp share the same patents yet Hed charges 40% less for their wheels. I'm a Hed fan. I'm hesitant to recommend the Belgium (which is no longer being made for 2011) w/out the cover because it's only 25 mm in depth so you're sacrificing aero. Obviously, it's fine with the cover but can't use it at Kona.
How much do you want to spend?
That said, if I hit the lottery, I'd get a Quarq, and a couple of different wheel options. Hard to go wrong with anything deep by zipp/SRAM, or Hed. I'd definitely look to go deeper than the 404 at your size.
As Bob said, I would not run a deep front with a shallow rear in Kona. Heck, I wont even run an even set in Kona. The standard shallow PT rear wheel with wheel cover is great for everyone except people people going to Kona and therefore I would not recomend you buy a HED bastone rear.
I strongly beleive the best RACE wheels that will work in any situation are Zipp 404 front / 808 rear firecreast in a wheel cover. Tubie or Carbon clincher perform equally so take your perference (I like clinchers).
If you don't like Zipp, then go Hed 60/90 as you will get more for your money. As Mike pointed out the Sram S60/S80 is also a great buy.
Many people training on race wheels everyday. I did for a year and I no longer do because shit happens out on the road. I would much rather have to replace a cheaper wheel because i crashed in training instead of a race wheel. Therefore, I recomend a quarq for people that need different options of rear race wheels either becasue they are going to kona or because they like wheels (i.e. me).
In your situation, I would buy either:
A - sell what you have to make some money and buy a quarq (<$1800) and a bomb proof set of training wheels (<$200). Then rent (or buy if you really want to spend some money) a 404/808 carbon clincher set for Kona. <br /> B - get your PT put into an 808 rear by wheelbuilder, keep your 404 front ... probably the most cost effective option based on what you have, but requires you to train on race wheels.
In either case, get a wheel cover for all races other than Kona.
@Bob - I see that the Belgium is no longer being produced. Which of the Ardennes line is the equivalent?
@Mike - curious why you say deeper than a 404 for my size?
@Matt - can't afford to have a wheel fetish.....yet.
If I had to venture a guess the Ardennes GP would be the closest.
joe: wheelbuilder has some i think. i got mine from him.
gh