What wheels?!

[James72911]

Hi,

Please can I ask your opinions on my wheel dilemma - going round in circles (!) trying to decide what to do...!

I am currently training for Ironman South Africa, riding a Look 596, currently with Vision 42s (23mm tyres) on it. I have been looking at a new set of wheels for it. I want clinchers - I know there are arguments for and against, but my view is that if I get a puncture, I am reasonably confident that I can change a tube and keep going - do not have that view with tubs...

So what wheels? people who have done the event advise against a disk due to the potential for high winds. I have been riding a loan set of Vittoria Qurano 60 wheels, with 25mm tyres. These are a noticeable improvement on the Visions.

Reading lots (probably too many!) reviews, and other options I have been looking at; HED 60s - like due to aluminum braking surface, Reynolds Strike 60s - seem to get good reviews, FLO 60/90 combo - great value, not much info, or completely left field, Wheel Science Elemental 60/90 & a disk for about the same price!

So any thoughts/suggestions/comments would be welcome.

Thanks

[z4RRSchris]

i have some 404's, and these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25mm-Width-U-shape-60mm...

the chinese ones are amazing for £300. basically the same profile, change the cheap hub bearings.

C

[okgo]

As deep front as you can buy, and a shallower front. HED 90/60 will be fine.

[AyBee]

okgo said:

As deep front as you can buy, and a shallower front. HED 90/60 will be fine.

Not sure 2 front wheels will help him

[okgo]

AyBee said:

Not sure 2 front wheels will help him

Was a tri intelligence test, congratulations...

[Barchettaman]

Another option: keep your Vision T42 wheelset, put a slightly narrower front tyre on and a slightly wider rear tyre (Continental Attack/Force), use latex tubes, and get a wheelcover for the rear.

That setup will be giving up very little to anything, really.

Don't worry about handling issues with a deep rear or a disc. Using a disc moves your centre of pressure rearwards away from the steering axis so makes the bike more stable, and continuing with the shallower 42mm front rather than something much deeper will help.

[okgo]

Barchettaman said:

Another option: keep your Vision T42 wheelset, put a slightly narrower front tyre on and a slightly wider rear tyre (Continental Attack/Force), use latex tubes, and get a wheelcover for the rear.

That setup will be giving up very little to anything, really.

Don't worry about handling issues with a deep rear or a disc. Using a disc moves your centre of pressure rearwards away from the steering axis so makes the bike more stable, and continuing with the shallower 42mm front rather than something much deeper will help.

This is really the correct answer. Low CRR tyres/latex etc can make a huge difference over a poor set up in that regard. The disc in wind comment is right, but SA can be stupidly windy, so not sure.

[IroningMan]

okgo said:

This is really the correct answer. Low CRR tyres/latex etc can make a huge difference over a poor set up in that regard. The disc in wind comment is right, but SA can be stupidly windy, so not sure.

Removing the disc cover is something that can be done on the basis of the weather forecast on raceday, though, so should be all good.

[hilly10]

Not wanting to hijack the thread but I have been thinking about buying some Mavic Ksyrium Elite for the Summer and keeping the Bontrager Race that came with my Trek Emonda SL5 as winter wheels. Do the more knowledgeable amoung us know more.

[James72911]

Many thanks for the responses, very much appreciated - some food for thought.

Will get a disk cover to start with and use this in training to get a feel for it.

As mentioned SA can be very windy, so the ability to remove is advantageous.

Still may treat myself to some new wheels though...!!

[Rich_W]

Having been out yesterday in horrible winds, even on my training wheels, the frame generates a fair bit of buffeting!