What do you do with your disc wheelcover if it's windy?

Jump4Joy19

I am going back and forth on whether or not to get a Wheelbuilder cover (I know, the deadline for group order is tomorrow!) Since my wheels aren't on the "approved" list, I would have to purchase a separate back wheel. So question for everyone who has used them - what do you do if you face a really windy day (like IMSG last week?). Having been blown all over the road on my IMCdA course recon last Saturday, I don't think I would've wanted to have a disc on the back wheel.

So, do you have a separate racing back wheel like a 404 or 808? Or do you just go with your regular wheel without the cover? I'm guessing if your regular wheel is your powermeter wheel, that's what you'd have to do?

I'm currently contemplating the wheelcover plus a HED6 front wheel that a local peep is selling, vs. renting race day wheels. Thanks for any advice!

kurshing

Racing in gale-force winds like last weekend at IMSG isn't a consideration when buying race wheels. A disc wheel is always faster in any condition; it is a matter of personal safety when it turns out last weekend.

Get the wheel cover. The next time you are at a race and it is like that - we can help you call an audible.

(Hopefully the sarcastic undertone was sensed in my response!)

Nemo Brauch

The wheel covers are really easy to take on/off. I use the same wheel with or without cover and make a decision on if I'm using it the day before the race. I'm a l'il peep, so wind buffers me about a little more than others, but I still find I can use them more often than not.

coop6

Get the wheel cover, it's cheap and you'll find that you can use it more often than not. I had the same concerns as you because it seems like every event i do ends up being pretty windy, but it really isn't anywhere near as hard to ride as I thought. I just took mine out on a windy day recently to remind myself what it was like to handle, and it's still the front wheel that I find more difficult. As Nemo said, it's pretty easy to put on/take off as long as you have access to a cassette changer, so it's easy enough to decide on race day what is best for you to ride. FWIW, I'm a bigger girl than most though, so I don't get tossed around quite as bad as the l'il peeps.

I have the Hed 6, it's a nice wheel. It's held up to a lot of abuse so far, I've been very happy with it.

Coach Patrick

@Sarah got it...the real issue is the FRONT (steering) wheel...if you "Sit" on the disc, the tension against a wind is actually speed-giving, not taking. DO IT!

mgraffeo

What Patrick said. Disc do NOT become harder to ride in the wind. In fact, it can help stabilize a bike. At a certain point, if the wind is strong enough to push your bike over, you're in trouble whether or not you have a disc on there.

Deep-section front wheels, OTOH, can get squirrely...

Jump4Joy19

Great, thanks for the input! I added my name to the Wheelbuilder order for a disc cover. I've never ridden with one, but here goes!

Joe Matchette

Posted By Mike Graffeo on 10 May 2012 05:04 PM

What Patrick said. Disc do NOT become harder to ride in the wind. In fact, it can help stabilize a bike. At a certain point, if the wind is strong enough to push your bike over, you're in trouble whether or not you have a disc on there.



Deep-section front wheels, OTOH, can get squirrely...

It is my understanding that a deeper section rear wheel versus front wheel shifts the center of pressure aft, and therefore closer to your bike's (and your) center of gravity.  That has the effect of reducing the moment arm -- which results in a reduction of how much the front "swings out" when you get a gust of wind.

I found this out first hand riding a pair of 404s, 808s, and then 404/808 combo on a normally windy route near my house.  I definitely noticed a difference in handling: 404s weren't bad, 808s were definitely squirrely, but the 404/808 combo was smooth.  Every time the wind changed, it just felt like a gentle push to the side.