TT wheelset

[klinpio thePolishLad]

Guys could you give me any advice on the best usable TT wheelset. Tri spoke+Disc, Tri spoke F and R, 88mm deep F and R? Maybe there is a better option. Please share your thoughts.

[Andy]

Hi

I have only done one season concentrating on TT's so I have limited experience but here is my experience.

I purchased a disc rear and two deep section rim fronts a 60 and 80mm all these wheels were full carbon tubular rims and of the Fast Forward brand. I also had a set of carbon clincher wheels with aluminium rims a good general purpose road wheel.

The tubular tyres were a pain and very difficult to get the tub seated and glued as true and as well seated as a clincher. I also impacted the rear disc on a pot hole and damaged the rim plus the 80mm front wheel I personally only liked using on windless days, the 60mm was scary enough on gusty evenings. I found it difficult to give max effort if I was worrying about the stability in cross winds.

I set my initial early season times on the clincher deep section rims and never felt a big difference moving to the disc. (I expected to feel the difference). I also rode the 60mm clincher setup when my disc was damaged and set a personal best and since then was convinced the wheel setup was faster than the disc setup. Later in the season I journeyed up to the fast 10m course near Hull and using the disc and 80mm rim front set a time of 22:20. When I had the opportunity to ride the course a few weeks later I decided to ride the aluminium rim 60mm clincher setup and compare the times. The second ride was 21:29 so 41 seconds quicker. The conditions on the second ride were also not ideal.

I know that could be me having a better day or maybe the physiological effect, but it shows that I didn't need the disc setup.

I have subsequently sold the tub wheels and will be using the clinchers until I can consider my times warrant spending the money on a Zipp Sub9 clincher disc and 60mm clincher front setup.

I have read a few reports that state the Continental GP4000S tyres I use as a clincher (and as a tub) is the most aero setup in wind tunnel and rolling tests. The Zipp clincher setup also comes out on top beating the tub equivalent.

But the opposite argument is that the top pro teams nearly all us tubs and disc setups. Maybe the disc I had was not a good choice. Maybe it really shows that all disc wheels / wheels are not equal and you need to choose carefully. Which is difficult without all the data.

Just my findings after a season and not really very scientific

Andy