Racing wheels advice
- Thread starter mossi
- Start date
What kind of racing? Aerodynamics isn't a big deal unless your TTing or the bicycle leg of a Triathalon.
How much do you weigh?
Anything wrong with the wheels you already have?
If you want to learn some of the details of wheel aerodynamics:
http://www.bsn.com/cycling/WheelAerodynamics.html
Please don't take my response out of context. I was responding to aerodynamic differences in wheels in the $300 - $500 range and improvements over what he already has.
You will also note that I referenced an article that has air resistance in wheels at 29 MPH.
And perhaps you need to work on your reading comprehension. Can you parse the difference between the following two sentences:
"Aerodynamics isn't a big deal unless your [sic] TTing or the bicycle leg of a Triathalon."
"WHEEL Aerodynamics isn't a big deal unless your [sic] TTing or the bicycle leg of a Triathalon.
Not me, but how about Kraig Willett? Evaluation of high performance bicycle wheels at
http://www.bike.com/template.asp?date=8/22/2001&lsectionnumber=6
or bicycle wheel performance at
http://www.biketechreview.com/archive/wheel_theory.htm
Bottom line, 1) the only meaningful performance benefit from changing wheels comes through a reduction in drag. Reducing rotational inertia provides less than 1% of the benefit of reducing drag and reducing weight gives only 1/10 the benefit of reduced drag on a flat course and even on an uphill course only provides 1/2 the benefit. 2) Even for a rider sitting in a large pack in a crit, aero wheels will reduce power requirements by 2-2.5%. 3) Reducing front and rear wheel drag by using a deep profile aero rim can reduce power required by ~2.5%, say 7-10 W. 3) Whether that's significant or not can only be judged by the individual rider.
I have a pair of Zipp 440's I found on e-bay and I've been so satisfied with them that I honestly don't know the state of the art available; though Zipp, Hed, Reynolds. Spinery, and others all make deep profile wheels. What I would say is the goal is a wheel with a rim depth 50mm or more and a reasonable spoke count. Consider a used set if that's what it takes to get into the price range. You could also look for a deep rim only and build it onto the current rims. I don't think I'd get anything with less than a 50mm profile. I'd rather save up until I could afford a pair that deep.
One final thing, it's slightly off the original topic, but if I had $300-$500 to spend on getting faster, my only choice would be a good local coach. Coaching would yield much greater improvement than any equipment one might consider.
Wow!
what a discussion.
Ok, i am 75Kg, 1.73, and ride for Triathlons.
Thought of the following:
1. Bontager Race Lite - nice spoke but a bit heavy.
2. Rolf Comp - Can be found for $375 but of 2000 or 2001 model
3. American class 350 - know nothing about them
4. Shimano R540 - too flex?
There are probably others...
Guys- thanks.
what a discussion.
Ok, i am 75Kg, 1.73, and ride for Triathlons.
Thought of the following:
1. Bontager Race Lite - nice spoke but a bit heavy.
2. Rolf Comp - Can be found for $375 but of 2000 or 2001 model
3. American class 350 - know nothing about them
4. Shimano R540 - too flex?
There are probably others...
Guys- thanks.
