Is my ride complete without a cool front wheel?

harrast

It's about race wheels, the front wheel specifically (I already have a rear race wheel).  Okay, here it goes:  Over the last couple of years I have cherry picked parts for my Tri bike as I came upon what seemed to be a decent deal on speed/comfort-enhancing products with a fairly verifiable return on investment--if it's fast, I probably have one.  My quest has now led me to consider purchasing a racing wheel for the front of my bike.  However, like others, I have examined the companies' aero data, and they each claim that their wheel is superior to comparable wheels from the other manuafacturer (e.g., Hed vs. Zipp).  In most discussions, someone jumps into the argument and reminds everyone that good training, body position and an aero helmet all have a greater effect sizes for less money (much better ROI) than a race wheel.  Yes, I can believe this, but I am already working hard, I think my body position is pretty good, and I already have an aero helmet. 

Cutting to the chase, most deep-section rims, even a meager v-shaped alumimum rim with a low spoke count, are quite aero compared to a 32-spoke box rim.  In fact, when comparing only "race" wheels (no box rims), independent research shows that at some yaw angles (generally less than 10 degrees), an affordable v-shaped aluminum rim is superior even to a "race" wheel (http://www.acusim.com/papers/AIAA10_2010-1431_MNGodo.pdf). ; Beyond the similarities between a decent alumimum wheel and a "race" wheel, the effect size of the best race wheels compared to a non-race wheel is suggested to be less than 50 grams of drag--about 1.5 ounces (but it all adds up, right?).  But here is my dilemma: In spite of all the evidence that a race wheel won't make any measurable improvement in my speed, I find myself looking for one.  Is there a way to get over this, or should I just buy a front race wheel?  Any thoughts? 

 

Michael Byerts

I can't lay my hands on it immediately, but I remember reading research that a front wheel is way more important than the rear wheel for reducing drag since it hits "clean" air. Moreover, yes, the aero wheel is one of the lowest seconds/dollar savings, but the actual seconds saving is pretty big. I was also frustrated with the competing claims of whose front wheel is the most aero. Here's what I did: I rented a front wheel only (rear disc cover) for my first two races choosing one HED and one 808. I liked the 808 better (hard to explain, I just did). I think it was about $100 each race. Not cheap, but when you are already paying the race entry fee, the hotel, the food etc., it wasn't unreasonable. And I snagged a used 808 carbon clincher from racedaywheels at the end of last year for something like $650 (they credit the rental price to purchase).

Keith Wick

Exactly what Michael said....go with what you think looks cool and feels most comfortable. If one was really that superior to the other, then the professionals and pro bike teams would all be riding the same thing as they want to win and clearly wouldn't take inferior products to hang out at the back.

Tom Glynn

I just trolled eBay until I found a really good deal on a Zipp 404. Not the best, but more than good enough.

baprince

+1 for being patient on eBay. I got my 404s really cheap after watching a lot of auctions.

Scott Alexander

I'll be shopping for a new 404 front after my high speed crash last night that destroyed my current EN-blinged one.

Steve West

Wanted a 404 but found a FlashPoint 60 for half the price of any the 404's I'd seen on Ebay, so I got that instead.

robin sarner

 Mavic cosmic carbone sl.     Bargain.     Stable.    Light.    Bombproof

harrast

Thanks all for your help and comments. As my search continues, I've been smitten by the new Rolf carbon clinchers, the Rolf Ares 8. Rolf must have great dealer control because they are $2,599 a set wherever I look (for some reason I feel like I won't be complete unless I have a set). Ares is a brand new model, so we're on the front end of the pricing curve. I'm looking for a third job right now to pay for these low-spoke-count beauties. Maybe by fall I'll have enough saved. By the way, it's my understanding that Rolf gets their carbon blanks for these wheels from Zipp (probably modified to Rolf's standards), then applies their low-spoke-count technology.