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Front wheel for Eagleman

bfrittonbfritton
in General Training Discussions

Peeps,

Doing Eagleman in a few weeks and need some advice on a front wheel for the race. Have a disk cover on the back so have that all covered (so to speak) but am running a shimano rim that came with my P2 several years ago on the front. Looking for some ideas on a new wheel that will be lighter/more aero and that I can also train on that will not break the bank.

Thanks

Bill

Comments

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    The simplest thing is to shop for a used, good quality wheel...via cycling club, craigslist, whatever (ebay?....) A good 404-depth wheel (404 itself, HED Jet, etc) should run $400-500. Less if you get lucky. People will say that you can train on either of those. The HEDs are a regular box rim with a plastic fairing, so perhaps a bit more bombproof than a carbon rim...but it's hard to find too many people that will complain about a zipp or its relatives.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

    Not sure how big you are Bill or how experienced. Larger or more experienced peeps can get away with deeper wheels on a windy course like Eagleman. I have used a Hed Jet 6 and I am 5 7 and 150 pounds. You may be able to go with a front like a Hed 9 or a Zipp 808. However that may be an issue if you are either an experienced rider or as light or lighter than me. I will be interested in other folks opionions.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Looks like Bill and myself sent our responses almost simultaneously!
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    FWIW, I'm similar sized to Ian 5'9" 150 and also use a HED Jet 6. My son has a 404 (long story), which I have ridden on a few times (not races yet), and I can "handle" either one fine. It is more dodgy when it gets really windy, so it's worth seeing if you can borrow one to check out if you're concerned about that.

    Three factors let you use a deeper rim with the same "degree of difficulty". Heavier is one, experience/skill is two, and the third is speed. The faster you go, the less "effective side wind" you have. I average 20-21 mph most of the time for HIM. But to be honest, I've never tried an 808/Jet 9 rim. The 25 mph average types tend to have them.
  • bfrittonbfritton
    Great info guys. I am about same size. 5'7" and around 150. Hopefully a little lighter by race day. Feel pretty comfortable with bIke skilz. Did LP last year with 808 on front and disk on back. Last two Him avg was 20-21 mph. Cannot borrow buddies 808 for EM so trying to figure out what to do.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    In all honesty, the difference between 404 and 808 depth wheel is much smaller than the difference between having it and not having it. Get good tires, good tubes, and whatever wheel is good on bang for buck. :-)
  • chris malonechris malone
    I'll drink a pint of Choptank water if it's too windy on race day for an 808 or tri spoke or whatever. It'll probably be stinking hot per usual.
  • J.T. ThompsonJ.T. Thompson
    Bill - Have you thought about renting a wheel - TriBike Transport may be able to rent you one....Check out the website...
  • kortneyringelkortneyringel
    Bill - what did you end up getting? I struggled w/ the same thing and ended up renting a 404 up front. Good luck at Eagleman!
  • bfrittonbfritton
    Thanks again to everyone. In the end rented a 2012 303 because shop all out of 404 and 808. Guy ssid 303 was a good wheel and better than the older 404 model. Anything will be better than the alternative.

    Kortney. Thanks u doing EM? If so good luck will see you out there.
  • darren.wrigleydarren.wrigley
    I will be there @ eagleman - will have my new Flo 90/90 wheels for the race
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Darren - interested in your thoughts on these wheels. There is a lot of positive 'buzz' around their introduction, and great prices as well!
  • darren.wrigleydarren.wrigley
    i am hoping to write up a quickie review later this week - first ride should be tomorrow. would have been earlier, but i have been traveling this week. I was very happy with the quality of the wheels.
  • Jump4Joy19Jump4Joy19

    My n=1 as a new race wheel rider. I did a local TT course yesterday with my new HED Jet6 on front and Wheelbuilder disk cover on back. Course is a closed loop, yesterday winds were steady at 18, gusting to 27. The 1st and 3rd sides of the loop were direct crosswind, 2nd side was direct headwind, 4th was direct tailwind. The gusts pushed me around a little, making the front wheel feel squirrely compared to my normal wheel, but nothing scary. Over 112 miles, it might've added some to fatigue factor, keeping the wheel steady. The back wheel was not an issue at all.

    As to whether or not the wheels made a difference, it's hard to tell since this is also a new bike. However, previous best time on this course was 16:17, and I did it twice yesterday at 15:45 and 15:20. So bike frame + wheels definitely made a difference.

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