Zipp 1080 + disc -- any reason not to use that setup?
So after all the OS gains I don't want to waste a single watt! Since I use a quarq I can really go with whatever wheel setup I want. Last year I used SRAM S80s front/rear.
I for sure plan to get a disc rear this year and I wonder why I wouldn't go with a 1080 front vs. the S80 I have now. Obviously it means buying a new (or likely ebay) wheel.
I weigh 135-140lb depending on the day and that puts my watts/kg at 3.9-4.0. All of my races this year will be extremely flat and have the potential to be windy (Racine 70.3, Steelhead 70.3, Chicago Tri).
Is this a silly idea? Searching the forums yields very little discussion about the 1080. Does that mean people don't like it?
Thanks much, Matt
0
Comments
All that said, the gain from your S80 to an 808 firecrest or 1080 will be very minimal. The handling difference in cross winds will be noticable (firecrest will handle better and the 1080 will handle worse).
If you can get a deal I would run a 808 firecrest front/rear with wheel cover (which is what I am racing this year). Otherwise, just keep your S80s and make sure you have a wheel cover. You will be almost as fast as same some money.
FWIW, I have owned 404 clinchers, 808 clinchers, and now 808 firecrest wheels. I have rode a 1080 front once but never raced on one, however it is pretty well known that it is the most difficult Zipp wheel to handle in the wind.
Sounds like sticking with the S80 up front is the way to go, or perhaps upgrading to an 808 FC (which I doubt I will do).
I guess if I had an extra grand lying around I could have a 1080 to race with if it was "not windy" on a given day...but despite my penchant for laying out massive cash on silly things, I'm not quite at that level...
cheers
Matt, I ran Zipp 808's (tubular) front and back on my bike for IM LV last year and 1080's for half IM and sprints. I just got a set of S80 tubulars for training and really like them, especially not having to carry an extra tire around with me.
Do you like racing with a disk? Do you find much difference in time and do you use it at any distance? I find it hard to use a disk in a long race due to the feel of the roll and dont find any advantage on a long course.
Wind is not a big issue for me since I have been riding with disk wheels in windy conditions for a long time and being 180lbs helps. I would think a 1080 on the front with a disk is a bit extremeexcept for a time trial.
I raced on a Zipp 900 clincher disc for a year because I got an amazing deal on it and thought I would try a disc after having a wheel cover. I raced it in multiple 70.3s and sprints but not an ironman.
I liked the cool noise the 900 clincher dics made and it looked cool but the ride was a little rougher then the other rear wheels I have raced on (Flashpoint FP60, Zipp 404 alloy, Zipp 808 alloy, Zipp 808 firecrest).
If money was no object I would have kept the disc but I thought it was crazy how many race wheels I had. So I downsized my collection and now only have a pair of 808 firecrest wheels with a wheel cover and used the money to buy a new road bike frame.
I have only rode the 900 clincher disc but I hear the 900 tubie and super9 are even stiffer of a ride. The sub 9 however is supposed to have the best ride quality our of all of them, however it doesn't fit in all bikes.
The wheel cover works just as well and costs significantly less, plus now I have one rear wheel that I can race anything on. (BTW, I do not consided a PT training wheel an acceptable single wheel solution becuase I would not race Kona on it and would need a deeper rear wheel).
The bottom line is a disc rear wheel is always going to be fastest and you can get a wheel cover for $100 or a disc for over $1000 (closer to $2k if you want a Zipp) and the performance is going to be almost the same. (Heck wheelbuilder even has windtunnel data that shows an 808 with a cover or a 30mm rim with a cover is faster than some discs at certain high yaw angles)
http://www.wheelbuilder.com/enewsle...Comparison
Unless it doesn't fit your bike or you are racing Kona, I can't think of any reason not to have a wheel cover or disc.
Matt, given where we live, a 1080 is not a justifiable wheel. I would really advise against it as your sole front. I suppose it could be a nice addition to 404 & 808 fronts, but even then as Ancona said, you pretty much need the perfect storm for a 1080 to be the best performer. And again, given that we live in Chicago, odds are it'd be a poor wheel choice. Especially now that the 808 firecrest is faster and shallower, it's a better choice.
I've gone out on the lakefront before with a 1080 just to give it a shot, and it was a BEAR! I'm 170lbs & I can deal with an 808 being twitchy no problem. If a sudden gust sneaks up on you, it can be a touch sketchy, but it's not a big deal. I find the 'handling' issue to be moreso the fatigue in your shoulders after fighting the wheel for a whole bike leg, but it's normally not an issue.
But the 1080 was legitimately scary & very difficult to handle with the lakefront cross wind. I could never imagine it being my primary front. I have a Sub9/808 combo & love it. I run tubulars, but would switch over to carbon clicher firecrests if I had the chance.