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What Race Wheels for IMFL?

John WithrowJohn Withrow
in Racing Forum 🏎

I'm a slightly bigger guy (6'-1", ~185lbs).  I have pretty good bike handling skills and have never really been scared in the wind, but I have also not encountered a ton of huge crosswinds during a race.  I'm trying to figure out my raceday wheel setup for IMFL.

I was leaning towards disc cover on the rear and a Firecrest 808 in the front.  

Other possibilities for the rear is a Firecrest 808 rear instead of the disc cover.

Other possibilities for the front are a  Firecrest 404 (going smaller) or a 1080 (going deeper) on the front.

What say you EN, what is the ideal wheel setup for IMFL for a slightly bigger guy with decent bike handling skills (and very little fear)?

Comments

  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    If it were me, I would go with the first option: Disc and an 808, especially if it is an FC808.
  • WisemanWiseman
    John,
    Go with the fastest wheels you got...winds down can be stiff, but they're steady, not gusty. I'm close to your size and I would ride disc/1080 down there. done the race twice.
    Good luck.
    Bill
  • novaavantnovaavant
    I'm going FC808 rear with cover and 404 front because that's what I have. If I had an 808 front I would use it for sure. I'm also 6'1" about 186 at the moment and have good bike handling skills.
  • jhbinscjhbinsc

     I'm riding a sub 9 rear and taking 808 and 1080 front and making race day call. Unless it is very gusty, deeper is the way to go baby!

  • vrk3dsvrk3ds
    Did that race last year and a big guy as well 6'3" 180lbs. Ran a cover in the back and s80(808) in the front. I was fine, you will be fine with that set up as well. Good Luck in FL.
  • NortonNorton
    The last time I raced IMFL I rolled a Zipp disc and a 1080 front, tubular. 5:37 on 148 watts.
  • novaavantnovaavant
    Dang Bill! 5:37 on 148 Watts? Nice work. Good winds that day or is the course just that favorable to a fast bike? My FTP is 223 so those watts will be my range as well. Thx.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Florida has never been, as I recall, crazy windy. That is, I can't remember a year where reports from the race were "holy shite that was windy!"

    Go with the most aero setup, yo. You'll be fine!

  • NortonNorton
    Posted By Attila Matyas on 04 Sep 2012 09:25 PM

    Dang Bill! 5:37 on 148 Watts? Nice work. Good winds that day or is the course just that favorable to a fast bike? My FTP is 223 so those watts will be my range as well. Thx.



    Not especially windy that day (2009), but I pay lots of attention to aero and am disciplined about staying put in the aerobars.

    Also: when the packs rolled up on me, I slid to the back, looked around to make sure I was last, then sat up at low watts and ate and drank. I made sure I was legal and enjoyed the draft. I'd be going just .5mph faster than while solo, at 20-30 watts less power. 

    Then I ran an IM marathon PR on my way to an IM PR. 

  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Go deep or go home!
  • novaavantnovaavant
    Thanks Bill, that's great advice on the packs which at IMFL there is no shortage of from what I've heard. I guess even at the 10m limit you are still getting a little pull.
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    Bill, you just made my day....
    "5:37 on 148 Watts".... I won't have fancy wheels but that's in my "wheel house" image in terms of goal race watts.

    @jeff, are you racing IMWI or FL??
  • John WithrowJohn Withrow

    Looks like I'm going with the Firecrest 808 front.  Seems to be faster than the 1080 at most angles...  I guess deeper isn't always faster.   

     


     

    and discussed here around 1:30 or so in this video review... 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1eCvx0s7iQ  (embedding sems to work in preview, but not on the real page)

     

  • gilliattgilliatt
    I've rode a a 808 front and disc cover back and 1080 front and full zip disc back both times no problem. I am 6'2 when I raced there is I was anywhere from 168-185 lbs
  • PinaPina
    I was planning on posting this thread... Thanks for beating me to it. I'm a smaller guy, race weight is 140-141lbs, FTP 255W, and was planning on racing with a HED Jet 9 FR with cover and HED Jet 6 FR. I handle bikes well, I used to race motorcycles. I'll assume this will be my best option for IMFL, unless someone else suggests otherwise.
  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Sukhi,
    Running a disc (or cover) rear with a Jet 9 front (or an H3 or a Zipp 1080) would technically be a faster option. The trade off would of course be increased handling difficulty.
  • PinaPina
    Thanks Bob, I only have a jet 6 front, so that'll have to do.
  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    The Jet 6 is a fine, fine wheel. I have one myself.
  • manconamancona
    John - they discontinued the 1080 when the 808 FC came out for a reason. The 1080 is still a great wheel for those that don't worry about the handling or mild days, but the 808 is a better choice for almost everyone.

    If you can get a 1080 front for cheaper then go with it, but if the cost is the same 808 FC is the way to go.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Handling issues should not be a concern for IMFL. I can't recall there ever being a crazy windy day out there and I think there are about 4 turns on the course? :-)
  • kimmydctkimmydct
    I've been thinking about a cover for the rear. I honestly don't know what I have on the front.... Its round with spokie-things on it. image

    My concern is having to change a flat w/ wheel cover on it. I think I need some kind of adapter for my CO2 cartridges right? (Sorry for my lack of technical knowledge!)
  • Jeff UnruhJeff Unruh

    Kim,



    I don't think you need a "crack pipe" for a disc cover. My cover is en-route so I will know for sure very soon...

    PS - A quick scan of eBay shows a 1080 can be had for probably 1/2 the cost of a 808 FC.  There aren't many 1080's out there though...

  • novaavantnovaavant
    I guess it would depend on the size of your pump head but my topeak pump does not fit on the valve with a cover on so I have to use the crack pipe.
  • novaavantnovaavant

    As a quick follow-up I see you were asking specifaclly for the Co2 chuck.  I believe this one has the tolerance to clear the restriction for disc wheels so it should work fine with the cover as well. 

    http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bicycle/road-tri-athlete/microflate-nano-clone-2.html

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    I have a very similar nano-inflator and you will not have a problem using that with a disc cover. All you will need to do differently is peel up the sticker that you would have applied before the race to cover the valve stem hole. Also, make sure you are using tubes with the proper stem length. If you have a normal training wheel (like a Mavic Open Pro or similar) then a 48mm stem is probably fine. I only mention this because if you do happen to run a deep dish wheel on the front (1080, 808, or even a 404) and have a long valve stem extender on your spare tubes, they may stick up to high to be able to use an inflator with a disc cover. You can get around this by using noemal tubes and carry something like a long Zipp extender in your bento box and leave it off if you flat on the rear and put it on if you flat your front tire.

    Also, I have used just about any regular floor pump with my disc cover. BUT, I have someone else pump it for me and I hold the valve at the end of the tube onto my valve stem. depending on the pump, I may need to "push" the cover in a bit. Have been doing this for years and never had a problem. Word of caution though, be careful not to bend your valve core putting it on or taking it off. That's why I get someone else to pump so I can use 2 hands to hold everything.
  • Brian Quarton [OLD]Brian Quarton [OLD]

    X2 What Matt said... The 808FC made the 1080 obsolete.

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