Ironman wheelsets

[benz76]

Hi,
I'm searching for the perfect TRI wheelset.

I've raced Ironman France last sunday on borrowed Zipp 303 (old low profile rims) and I've found they don't suit very well ironman's purpose.

I need a more aero wheelset, but since I already own a pair of heavy Mavic Cosmics, i'd like to find a wheelset for "hilly" ironman races (remeber that hilly ironmans have 2000m maximum ascent, along a 180 km course = very gentle slopes).

I already know the good qualities of 404 : aero, light, stiff enough. So, what about other wheelsets:

1. Corima 3 batons (Corima Aero are more in 303 league, IMO)
2. Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 or 6.5
3. Hed Stinger 50 or 60 (Hed 3 Spoke are a bit on the heavy side, for my personal taste)
4. Pro Lite Gavia-T
5. Others...

Thank you,

Benz.

[madhatter]

A combination seen often is a Hed alps in the front and as rear a Hed H3. Not the lightest combination surely, but supposed to be pretty aero.

[Skillgannon]

What about the Zipp 606 (404 from 808 rear) or 808 combinations. Even the 343 if you want something really light.

[jersievers]

The 404 are good, so would the Bont 6.5s. Hed probably won't be a light as you might want, but they can be a good option. When looking for a 404 you might want to look at other wheelsets that use the same rim, Easton Tempest Carbon, Neuvations still has a few on clerance, ritchey protocol carbon 50, etc.

[jersievers]

...and AC Classic carbon 50.

[C a s r a n]

I think Zipp 606 or 808 (with few crosswinds) is a good choice... the Zedtech version being even better.
I would not take the alternatives jerievers proposes: they use older version of Zipp rims (the non dimpled and reinforced) and tend to break (I have a broken AC carbon myself here). Therefore Easton uses own carbon rims this year.

Lightweight Standard or Obermayers might be a good option as well.

Or Xentis wheels, and if you want a light set, go for the Xentis Mark 1 High Modulus (weight is only 1200gr!! - I have a set and am willing to sell it if you're interested). Xentis wheels are stiff and bullet proof, unlike the story's I hear about Hed wheels.

[benz76]

I think that lightweights are a little off price for me... and still I don't know if they're more aero than 404 or 808...

404, 606 and 808 are my main target, but still i think i'll keep searching...

Anyone has ever tried Corima 3 Spokes ?

And what about Bontrager? (has anyone) Any road experience with them?

[charlie]

Lightweight Standard or Obermayers might be a good option as well.

they're expensive as all get out, and in all wind tunnel tests I've seen, they've performed miserabely.

that being said, I think the things are schhhhweeet!

[bike bling]

I've heard the bontragers were great wheels but part of the reason they are considered nice road racing wheels is their stiffness. This makes them handle very predictable.

For an ironman, you don't need a super stiff wheelset. If I had the money I'd buy a zipp 606 wheelset with vittoria triathlon tubulars (same as crono tubulars but with butyl tubes so doesn't loose air in transition)

[palbin]

Anyone has ever tried Corima 3 Spokes ?

Yepp, have a front 3-spoke - like it a lot - is a bit more wind sensitive than e.g.,
Zipp 404, but one gets accustomed quickly - cuts air significantly better than Zipp
404 (IMHO) - attractively priced - very good quality - very good support from Corima
- very lousy breaking in the wet - weighs 770 gr (a stiff 200 gr more than Zipp
404 front) - doing my best to lift it here



(sorry for the partial nudity), but weight is not why you would get one, and I
mostly prefer the 3-spoke anyway - makes very funny noise (swuch ... swuch
... swuch ...), so people know in advance when you're going to overtake them
- corners well - stiff. You probably want to order it without the yellow stickers (un-
less you e.g., have a Scott Plasma which they could go well with) - is possible,
just tell Corima. Best wheel buy I have made! Palbin

[method]

I know of someone who did IM France on the Xentis Mark 1 TT wheels, about 1620g I think, not that light but very aero.

[Tugboat]

If considering HED Stingers, what about a 60/90 fr/rr combo?

[Warblade]

How about just an 808 wheelset? Probably about as aero as it gets (for an Ironman).

[bontempi]

Have you considered the FFWD wheels, used by Torbjorn Sindballe?
www.ffwdwheels.com

[benz76]

How about just an 808 wheelset? Probably about as aero as it gets (for an Ironman).

As I've already said, 606 or 808 are my "reference" for an IM wheelset.

You probably want to order it without the yellow stickers (un-
less you e.g., have a Scott Plasma which they could go well with) - is possible,
just tell Corima. Best wheel buy I have made!

It just happens that I ride a Scott C1R, black with yellow stickers... and Corima colors fit lovely on my bike (as well as my standard trainingset of Mavic Cosmics)
Corima's italian importer is just 5 minutes ride from my workplace, so I'll pay him a visit soon... and ask if they have a demo set of 3 Spokes.
Bontragers otherwise are not as common as Zipps and Corimas here in Italy.

Does anyone know the exact weight of 808s set?

Bye, Benz.