Racing wheels, your favs?

So, I race on the collegiate level, and i was just curious what people of all levels are running for racing wheels. Im using a Trek 5500 (the 120 OCLV frame w/ Dura Ace), Easton carbon seatpost, Fizik Airone saddle, and the relevant part, Zipp 303s (tubular).

 

I just set up a Bianchi EV4 with full Record, Campy Hyperons (carbon - tubular), Selle Italia SLR, FSA carbon cranks and FSA bar/stem - pictured here:
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t86606.html

Having made the transition from Mavic Open-Pro to the Hyperons, the difference is immediately noticeable. Had I not got them used (only way I could afford them), I probably would have opted for Zipp 404. If I had any doubts before, I am now definitely a believer in investing in a good set of wheels if you want to test your limits.

 

i opted against the 404's mainly because amung the aero wheels, there is little difference (at least in wind tunnel, so ive heard), and i didnt want the effects of the increased surface area in crosswinds, since i usually ride in high wind (usually crosswind) conditions.

 

Well, that's the tradeoff with aero wheels. I was very tempted to go deep section, but I need all the help in the hills I can get, so I jumped on the Hyperons when I stumbled upon a set for reasonable money.

 

I'm running Eurus G3's on a full record Pinarello Galileo. I absolutely love them. They are definitely not Hyperons, but for me, they are the best wheel I can justify. I'm training on Record/OpenPro's.

The Eurus are strong as can be, I took a dive straight off a concrete culvert onto the road, I was sure I had dinged something as I'm no lightweight, but nope, straight as an arrow...

 

If I were like many, and was not open to running tubulars, the Eurus would have been the clear choice. Quite frankly, that wheelset is better than anything in its price range, and better than many more pricey wheelsets.

And of course, it looks cooler than just about anything out there...although the Hyperon's carbon weave looks rather impressive in the sunlight.

 

Looking for the ultimate wheel?

Forget Zipp

"Lightweight". Nothing comes even close. Stiffest wheel available worldwide. Aero and light (around 1.100 gram/set)
Armstrong used to ride them until he became involved with Bontrager, Ullrich rides them, Cipo, Pantani, Galdeano....

Hard to get & lots of bucks.

Here´s a pic which was posted in a german bikeforum:


Lightweight on Principia

 

yeah, i have heard of those, i believe Armstrong still rode them even though he was sponsored by Bontrager, because nothing bontrager made came even close. But now, bontrager upped the ante, with the XXX-lites and their new deep section, so now he rides Bontrager. Ive heard the lightweights are rediculously expensive, and living in America, I've never seen them in person. Plus, ive heard that if anything goes wrong with em, they have to go back to Italy, or wherever they were made, to be repaired. So, in my opinion, they're like riding in sleet, do it only if your a professional.

 

In the '03 TDF, when Armstrong clipped that spectator and took a dive, Ullrich swerved to avoid him, and that's when Ullrich's wheels really caught my attention. He was riding a plain black deep section carbon wheel in this mountainous stage. It turns out he was riding the Lightweights.

They only make about 200 sets of these wheels annually. They weight 1180g, and cost around $2700 USD.

 

I have campagnolo Bora G3 and the are the best!

 

Yeah, I'd like to have a set, but I don't know if I could go that long without eating.

Anyway, I have the Hyperons, and I went far enough out on a limb to get those!

 

Wow, big time, guys. I'd love to have a set of Hyperons or Boras. Those are both much-vaunted race wheels. Lightweights? They may be the ultimate race wheel, but that makes them fit for the... ultimate racer. Or the amateur-racer/club-rider with the ultimate budget.

Of which I am neither. Sadly. *sniff sniff* Someday, maybe.

In the ranges that I can even begin to consider, Zipp 404s, 303s, Ksyrium SLs, Rolf Prima Vigors and Elans, Shimano DAs, Velomax Ascent IIs, and Topolinos, among many others, all strike me as contemporary wheels with real racing capability (depending on your specialty and the terrain). Best of all, they're closer to being within my budget, which is verrrrry important.

 

another consideration are the hed alps. not the lightest (mine weigh 1646G) but not terribly heavy for deep section, and more reasonably priced than zipp and others.

 

I´ve had a set of deepsection Zipps. They put me off carbon wheels forever....

 

Those would be the 404s, unless you're talking about an older model. When was this? Please describe your experience.

 

I weigh 145lbs and the Zipp 303 clinchers are definitely the stiffest wheel I've ridden (that are light-weight).

I'd recommend them.

 

Has anyone tested a disc versus a deep section rear wheel in TTs?
I will be looking for some aero wheels soon ans Zipp 404s sound pretty good. They're supposed to be pretty strong as testified by a few mates who've raced em.