Aero wheels vs Climbing wheels

[Prince]

What's the opinion on the better wheels to have for our racing conditions? Aero wheels are great once you get above 40k/ph but how many of us do that for long periods? Climbing wheels are great for the Alps etc but how many races do we do with really massive climbs?

[Cocaine]

I concidered that when I brought my zipp 404s... they are about 1290grams for a set which is only 200 grams or so heavier then the 202s if I remember correctly... but the aerodynamic advantage is much more... they are a great all round wheel... and I reckon perfect for our racing conditions.

 

Remember the weight of the wheel only comes into play when your accelerating...

 

It also depends on what level racer you are... the more competitive you are the greater advantage you will notice from a top end wheelset.

[bikemonster]

If you are planning on being in a break for a chunk of your racing, go aero.

 

If you are in the bunch then the benefits of an aero wheelset are irrelevant because you are drafting and moving air out of your way is not much of an issue.

 

Remember that lightweight wheels make your life easier whenever acceleration is under consideration, so they can be expected to help if the bunch is surging.

 

The big question, and I do not even pretend to know the answer, is how much of a difference either of these parameters will make to a weekend warrior.

[Prince]

Bikemonster i think you have hit the nail on the head. What benefit difference for the average Joe?

[Hype]

The benefit of looking supercool.

[Cois]

I have a set of Rolf Vector Pro's.  Like the once Lance used in 1999 for his 1st tour.

 

Great set of wheels both for climbing, flats and sprints. So I guess you can call it a all rounder.  A bit stiff, but a steel or carcon fork helps for that.  Great if you are in the seat or out of it.

 

I also have a set of Rolf Vector (entry) wheels.  The Rolf Pro's just does the thing so much better.

[bikemonster]

Bikemonster i think you have hit the nail on the head. What benefit difference for the average Joe?

 

There are benefits and benefits.  If you like it, want it and can afford it...go buy it.

 

For months after I bought my (2nd hand) K-SL's, on every single ride I would lean over the bars to see the Mavic and Ksyrium logos turning over on the hub and grin like a loon.

 

There was no discernible performance benefit in upgrading from the very nice 105 10 speed that came with the bike to the hot deal that I found on Campag Record...but DAMN I love having it.

 

Sometimes it's also about how cool the cool stuff is, and if it helps keep you motivated and active in what is a very healthy sport (ignoring the raging EPO thread), then it is money well spent.

 

George Best said that he spent most of his money on women and booze, and wasted the rest.

 

[Wannabe]

Cois, gonna start rebuilding my Rolf Vectors (entry's) with DT swiss spokes (Revolution's if they happen to be in the box of goodies left at the closed down LBS) Very happy with them, quite stiff and excellent in holding their trueing. Minimal adjustment needed to keep them 100% true. If they will be classified as a climbing, flat or allrounder, I do not know. Just that they are lighter than the set of Bontrager Aero's I borrowed from my buddy.

STILL LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT HUB!!!!!!

 

Do ya think I can make a American Classic Sprint 350 hub fit!? 

Wannabe2006-11-03 04:34:21

[BikeMax]

I think that an aero wheelset is far more advantageous than a lightweight wheelset to the average Joe.

 

1. Average Joe is generally heavier anyway and can lose more weight by other means than a lighter set of wheels

 

2. Average Joe is generally stronger on the flats and as such will at least feel some benefit from a more aero wheel

 

3. A deep section aero wheel does give a real benefit (as do most things aero) in comparison to lighter components

 

4. Our rolling courses are ideally suited to a more aero wheel

 

[Prince]

I think the " look cool " thing is uppermost in all our minds and does give you boost on the bad days.

[bikemonster]

I think that an aero wheelset is far more advantageous than a lightweight wheelset to the average Joe.

1. Average Joe is generally heavier anyway and can lose more weight by other means than a lighter set of wheels

2. Average Joe is generally stronger on the flats and as such will at least feel some benefit from a more aero wheel

3. A deep section aero wheel does give a real benefit (as do most things aero) in comparison to lighter components

4. Our rolling courses are ideally suited to a more aero wheel

 

Two points:

 

Surely the benefit of an aero wheel is lost when you're sitting in a bunch?

 

If you are stronger on the flats, and by implication, weaker in climbs, surely there is more advantage to be gained by providing assistance where it is needed most?

 

I do not expect that this discussion will yield a definitive answer, but it is interesting that the wheels that people seem to like most are BOTH aero and light - viz., the Zipp 404's and the Rolf Pros.

[Cois]

STILL LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT HUB!!!!!!

 

Do ya think I can make a American Classic Sprint 350 hub fit!? 

 

I dunno.  I know Trek won't try to help and Rolf says up yours.

 

If it works let me know.  Thinking of taking it to someone to make me a hub.

[Wannabe]

Cois, will let u know if it works. My buddy gave me his Classic's that he smashed in a fall at the 'Shova. (unfortunately the rear rim is bent beyond repair (or FUBAR as some people would say))

[sias]

According to Askar Jeukendrup, aero wheels hold an advantage over lighter wheels up to around 5% gradient, after which the lighter wheels come into their own. Where the Zipps and the Bora's and the like score heavily, is the fact that they are very close to true climbing wheels in weight, but also have a massive advantage in aerodynamics.

Ek dink "avrage Joe" sal beter baat by 'n stel goeie "allrounders" soos die Ksyrium sl en die Dura Ace wiele, asook die Rolf Prima Vigor.

[bruce]

Spend the money on a power meter and proper training - invest in the engine first. 

 

My rear Zipp 404 tubby got slightly damaged in a race and has been sent in for repairs, so rather than losing power data, I raced the Vodacom Race for Victory with my PT Pro built into a Mavic Open Pro (a lead weight in comparison) with the aerodynamics of a barn door.  Managed to stay with Marco v Biljoen, Craig Harvey, and Anton Oberholzer over Suikerbosrand, not because of the wheels I was riding I can assure you.

 

I'm the first person to say - get a nice set of wheels, but that's only because they are a nice set of wheels - if your motivation (as an average joe wanting to become a superjoe) is performance improvement, you are investing in the wrong place.

 

 

bruce2006-11-03 06:48:07

[Prince]

Bruce could not agree more.