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2015-04-21 8:38 PM

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Subject: HED 3 for Ironman
Who runs front and rear HED 3 for full IM distances and what's your thoughts. I have a buddy practically giving the pair to me for $800 with under 700 miles including tires n tubes. $800 is my budget but not sure if this is what I want or just what I can afford. Last year I ran jet 50s and most races are on my training wheels, which are used and abused, so anything is a plus. This will be my 2nd IM


2015-04-21 10:50 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman
did 1 IM with front and rear and anothet with a disc cover and hed 3 front. Unless you have a 21 mm tire it's not the most aero (in fact there may be a penalty) I have not run a 21 on it... also they are a bit twitchy in cross winds. Last, they are stiffer than a spoked wheel so the front may give a harsher ride over the long course distance. But they look good.

Edited by ChrisM 2015-04-21 10:51 PM
2015-04-22 6:00 AM
in reply to: Iron0331

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Champion
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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman
honestly (and I say this owning an H3 and an old Specialized trispoke... and about 20 Bontrager 19mm TT tires for them, so i like them quite a bit) H3's aren't a good fit for most people these days. As Chris said, not running the right tire makes them slower than most any other offering, and many people don't enjoy the way they ride in the wind (it's worse with two H3's than a H3/disc)

Imho... buy a cover for your rear Jet50 (or your training wheel for that matter) and run your front Jet. Cheaper, less hassle, more tire selection and a more stable ride.

H3's do look boss though.
2015-04-22 6:37 AM
in reply to: Iron0331

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman

I'll echo the others.  If not mated with the right tire (especially for the front), the H3 loses a lot of its aero qualities.  The wheel of choice was the 19mm Bontrager Aerowing but they stopped making those 5 years ago.  The best current choice would be a 20mm Continental SuperSonic or 20mm Continental GP 4000S II.

Chris and Chris mentioned the other downfalls.  They can be twitchy and they can be uncomfortable.  They're not the twitchiest wheelset I have ever used but they're not the easiest to ride either.  I quickly ditched the rear H3 and used the front with a disc for a couple of years.  It wasn't so much the handling, it was how uncomfortable the rear H3 felt.  Moving to the 23mm Hed Jet Disc was far more comfortable.

I think it makes a great front wheel if you use the right tire.  That stated, for like $900 you can get a Flo 60 and Flo 90, or for $1000 the Flo 60 and Flo Disc.  I think those are much more versatile, comfortable, and more aero wheelsets.

2015-04-22 7:29 AM
in reply to: Iron0331

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman

As others said, the H3 needs the right tire and a faster rider benefits more from it keeping low yaw angles.

That's a decent budget, with patience you can find the right deal. Last year 3 weeks before my HIM I pick up a used FLO 60/90 set for a total of $650 on eBay.  Watch eBay and ST classifieds daily and you'll find something, even if its just a front.  Up until late last year I ran Felt TTR2 which are narrow 40mm wheels with 23c GP4000s/latex and a home made disc cover.  Ideal, no, but I had comfort with low Crr (makes up for bad aero aspects) and the rear disk benefits.

2015-04-22 7:36 AM
in reply to: Donto

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman

I run H3's with 20mm conti SS tired and latex tubes. Have run them for all distances. Love them.  If you look at the aero data they are just as fast or faster than anything else out there (other than some full read discs) at 25+ mph.

Everyone else is just a hater because they look so good.



2015-04-22 8:30 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman

Originally posted by dmiller5

I run H3's with 20mm conti SS tired and latex tubes. Have run them for all distances. Love them.  If you look at the aero data they are just as fast or faster than anything else out there (other than some full read discs) at 25+ mph.

Everyone else is just a hater because they look so good.

Yeah but at speeds and yaw angles typically seen the H3 is a worse choice than just about any other wheel made by Hed, Zipp, Flo, Enve, etc.  At high speeds or very low yaw, sure it has its merits and potential advantages, but across the spectrum of likely speeds and yaw angles it's nowhere near the best choice.  Even Hed's own data clearly states this.

Mix in the limited tire issues and potential ride issues and there are just better options.

This was a valid debate in 2010.  It's not anymore.

2015-04-22 9:51 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman
Don't forget to check out our classifieds too :D

(Insert plug for my own wheels below)

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
2015-04-22 9:57 AM
in reply to: Lupy

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Subject: RE: HED 3 for Ironman
Thanks everyone, I have found a set of Zipp 808s from someone in my same town and then set of HEDs 6 front and Disc rear for both around a $1000.

Trying to workout the details by the close of business today.
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