Disc covers for rear wheels

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2007-02-07 2:05 PM

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Subject: Disc covers for rear wheels
Seeing as though I got the new tri bike and spent a little bit of dough on it I'll have to wait another year to upgrade the wheels on it so I've decided to look into disc covers.

I've heard Wheelbuilder offers a decent and reasonably priced product but I don't know too much about them, i.e. installation, material used, if they can be used on somewhat hilly courses (Mooseman/Timberman) etc. Any guidance on disc covers would be helpful.

2007-02-07 2:16 PM
in reply to: #683019

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Not a Coach
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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels

Yes, wheelbuilder offers them and will trim the cover for your wheel of choice (roughly $70 I think)Call or email them--service is excellent in my experience. 

I used mine at Timberman last year.  Will use it at Harriman HIM and IMLP this year (neither course is flat ).  Hardly any tri course that I wouldn't use it on.  It's basically as effective as a true disc wheel for a fraction of the cost.

You did need to remove your cassette to install/remove it.  It's about a 5min process.  Quite easy, though you'll need a chain whip and cassette tool.

2007-02-07 2:26 PM
in reply to: #683019

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
Ditto what Johnny says. The disc cover itself is 2 plastic halves that are held on to the wheel via plastic screws that hold the two halves together. If you tell Rich at wheelbuilder what kind of rim and hub you have, he can pretty much cut it to exactly the size you need.

The cover is pretty easy to put on and take off, although you do need to remove your cassette. Like Johnny said, I can't think of any major triathlon course out there where you wouldn't use it. On all but the hilliest courses, aero trumps weight. IMLP, with all of it's climbing, still doesn't justify not using it. A steep, uphill TT would be about the only situation where you might want to pass.

With a disc cover, there is NO reason to ever purchase another race wheel unless you're doing Kona or some other non-disc race.
2007-02-07 2:31 PM
in reply to: #683049

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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels

dgunthert - 2007-02-07 2:26 PM  With a disc cover, there is NO reason to ever purchase another race wheel unless you're doing Kona or some other non-disc race.

Two reasons:

  1. You don't get the woo-woo sound that a disk wheel produces;
  2. You don't get the prestige that accompanies the conspicuous consumption of spending thousands on a set of Zipps.

Cool

2007-02-07 2:45 PM
in reply to: #683019

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Master
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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels

If you install a disc cover, is it fine for everyday riding too?  Would it be annoying for hill climbs and commuter riding?  (I only have one road bike, so I use it for pretty much everything.)

Let's put this another way,  Is there any reason why you wouldn't want a disc cover on your bike?  

 

 

 

 

2007-02-07 2:51 PM
in reply to: #683033

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
JohnnyKay - 2007-02-07 3:16 PM

Yes, wheelbuilder offers them and will trim the cover for your wheel of choice (roughly $70 I think)Call or email them--service is excellent in my experience.

I used mine at Timberman last year. Will use it at Harriman HIM and IMLP this year (neither course is flat ). Hardly any tri course that I wouldn't use it on. It's basically as effective as a true disc wheel for a fraction of the cost.

You did need to remove your cassette to install/remove it. It's about a 5min process. Quite easy, though you'll need a chain whip and cassette tool.

c'mon stop worrying about Harriman. I mean there were 2 guys (out of 115) that averaged over 21 mph. And a whopping 11 actually broke 3 hours. That disc cover should put you in good company Wink

2007-02-07 2:56 PM
in reply to: #683094

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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
tkbslc - 2007-02-07 2:45 PM

If you install a disc cover, is it fine for everyday riding too?  Would it be annoying for hill climbs and commuter riding?  (I only have one road bike, so I use it for pretty much everything.)

Let's put this another way,  Is there any reason why you wouldn't want a disc cover on your bike?  

I've ridden it in training just to get used to it, but I'm not sure why you'd want to leave it on all the time.  They're made of plastic so could get beat up were you to crash or something.  But otherwise I suppose you could leave it on if you want.  Again, it takes all of 5-10 minutes to swap it in and out.

2007-02-07 2:59 PM
in reply to: #683109

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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
rollinbones - 2007-02-07 2:51 PM

c'mon stop worrying about Harriman. I mean there were 2 guys (out of 115) that averaged over 21 mph. And a whopping 11 actually broke 3 hours. That disc cover should put you in good company Wink

Well, I'll be flying DOWN the hill at least. 

2007-02-07 3:14 PM
in reply to: #683094

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
tkbslc - 2007-02-07 2:45 PM

If you install a disc cover, is it fine for everyday riding too?  Would it be annoying for hill climbs and commuter riding?  (I only have one road bike, so I use it for pretty much everything.)

Let's put this another way,  Is there any reason why you wouldn't want a disc cover on your bike?  

 

 

 

 



Between getting it beat up and the poseur factor of always riding a disc, I don't leave it on all the time.
2007-02-07 8:01 PM
in reply to: #683019

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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
I've been thinking about a rear wheel cover as well. I really don't see a down side...same benefits as a disc and a fraction of the cost. Is it really that simple...am I missing something?

In general (if that's possible) what kind of increased speed could one expect? I average aroung 18.5 - 19.5 on a 1.5 - 2 hr ride.

As far as removing the cover because of not wanting it on all the time...rather than taking the wheel cover off and putting it back on for racing I was thinking of having a rear training wheel and just changing out the whole wheel...would that be any easier? If you go with this option should you change the front wheel for a trainer as well to keep the race wheels used the same amount?
2007-02-08 7:44 AM
in reply to: #683486

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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels

tritank - 2007-02-07 8:01 PM I've been thinking about a rear wheel cover as well. I really don't see a down side...same benefits as a disc and a fraction of the cost. Is it really that simple...am I missing something?

yes, that simple.  not missing anything

In general (if that's possible) what kind of increased speed could one expect? I average aroung 18.5 - 19.5 on a 1.5 - 2 hr ride.

same kind of improvement you would with a disc, but speed changes can vary.  say .5mph as a guess.

As far as removing the cover because of not wanting it on all the time...rather than taking the wheel cover off and putting it back on for racing I was thinking of having a rear training wheel and just changing out the whole wheel...would that be any easier? If you go with this option should you change the front wheel for a trainer as well to keep the race wheels used the same amount?

People are getting WAY too concerned about the difficulty of changing out the disc cover.  It is an EASY process.  Get the cover and put it on your training wheel when you race.  Take it off when you're done.  One big advantage of the disc cover is that it's cheap.  Why spend more money needlessly?

2007-02-08 7:59 AM
in reply to: #683722

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Subject: RE: Disc covers for rear wheels
Cool! Thanks for the answers. It is just my nature to be skeptical...when something appears too good to be true usually it is...but apparently not in this case.
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