Race Wheel Rental - Is it worth it?
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jhudalla posted 12 weeks ago.
How hilly is that race? I'd have to guess you'd save maybe 2 minutes with the different wheels... maybe. The thing with fancy wheels is they look totally rad, but if big money isn't on the line, or a title or something like that, you'd probly be best to use that money for a post race dinner. After 5hrs what's 2 minutes anyway?
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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Captain Mal posted 12 weeks ago.
Or, in my case, 7 hours.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
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TriSooner posted 12 weeks ago.
jhudalla wrote:
I'd have to guess you'd save maybe 2 minutes with the different wheels . . . After 5hrs what's 2 minutes anyway?
+1 But since you're renting, go for it. If you rent tube versions you also have to buy three tubular tires. Nothing goofier than a noob mid-pack age grouper buying $3k Zipps. I'll probably rent for Longhorn 70.3.
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NotAsFast posted 12 weeks ago.
Go ahead and rent. I rented for my last 70.3 in Florida and was more then satisfied with the rentals.
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DSmith posted 12 weeks ago.
I think it's worth it. I bought a set of 808's two years ago and only raced on them. After doing some math I sold the wheels and rent a set for 2 or 3 races a year. Another nice thing about renting instead of owning a set is every year you have the newest set of wheels that are available.
I use race day wheels
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triNick posted 12 weeks ago.
I have 404's but rented 808's for IMFL. I feel it was was a combination of the wheels and my leg strength that helped me maintain a 21.1 mph average over 112 miles...
Not sure what you are thinking on renting but it's just not a put them on and race thing, you have to get use to them especially in windy / cross wind situations. A pair of 808's, maybe 404's and a disk wheel in windy conditions could slow you down if you aren't use to how they handle in those conditions. I'm not saying you need weeks of training on them, that's too darn expensive, I'm just saying you want to try them out in those conditions before race day. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.
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TriSooner posted 12 weeks ago.
triNick wrote:
Would disk rear + 1080 front be silly?
in windy / cross wind situations
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jhudalla posted 12 weeks ago.
Go disk and disk like the track racers do. You'll get all the looks.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
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jsk85 posted 12 weeks ago.
jhudalla wrote:
Go disk and disk like the track racers do. You'll get all the looks.
Yes, the look outs! Since you'll be all over the road at the slightest crosswing, lol
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john_grieco posted 12 weeks ago.
I borrowed a friends zipp 909 wheel set (I think) - Anyway, they were an 808rear/404front for a half and loved them - With them on my bike for my first half, I avg'd over 21mph.
I bought a slightly used set of 808s and did 2 races with those and did 24mph(18mi sprint) and 22mph on another sprint - Last year my speeds were far slower (18-19mph) on training wheels (ksyriums) and I'm sure that around half of my improvement is due to the wheels set - So for me, they save me between 6min (sprint) and 13.5min (half), which I think is huge and helps me come up with good overall times, given my below avg running - Now if only I can find a pair of running flats that can do the same, I'd be cranking!
even with non-disk, I do notice some cross wind effect, but none of the races had much to speak of (some serious headwind, but not much on the side, with the course being a long loop)
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-T. S. Eliot
Hey all-
I've been thinking recently about possibly renting some race wheels for my 70.3 in August. My question is: How much difference does a really nice wheel set make over 56 miles? I am currently training on old, old Mavic Open 4 CD, the kind with AT LEAST 43 spokes/wheel. How much faster would I be on Zipps, or, how much easier would it be to maintain the 21+ mph I plan on racing at?
Thanks for the feedback.