Hey guys - I have some extra fundage coming my way and of course instead of save it I want to put it towards bike crap. I want to get a set of wheels - I keep staring at the HED 3 carbon wheels. Very pretty wheelset. Anyone own a set? I'm wondering if they're strong enough for me (210 pounds) and if they're strong enough for everyday riding. They look pretty beefy.

I'm leaning towards the clinchers - not sure if I'm ready to make the tubular jump....

I've had a set for several years now without any problems at all. I'm 220 lbs and they are very solid wheels. There was a period of time after I bought them when I used them for every training ride. My wife used them this summer for training too. They are solid reliable wheels and they look very cool.

I've had a set for several years now without any problems at all. I'm 220 lbs and they are very solid wheels. There was a period of time after I bought them when I used them for every training ride. My wife used them this summer for training too. They are solid reliable wheels and they look very cool.

Thanks - do you ride the tubulars or the clinchers? Also what do you think of them performance wise compared to a more conventional wheelset?

Hey guys - I have some extra fundage coming my way and of course instead of save it I want to put it towards bike crap. I want to get a set of wheels - I keep staring at the HED 3 carbon wheels. Very pretty wheelset. Anyone own a set? I'm wondering if they're strong enough for me (210 pounds) and if they're strong enough for everyday riding. They look pretty beefy.

I'm leaning towards the clinchers - not sure if I'm ready to make the tubular jump....


its a specialized, but basically the same thing. the bike rides like its on rails..no flex at all around corners. I would totally recommend them for heavier riders, they are totally solid. would also recommend 700x23 tires unless you're planning on only riding fast in a straight line..20's work well for TT's but are quite prone to pinch flats at lower speeds and turns...if you got the cash, go for it!

I have a Hed3 front. I've used it for about a year and a half as my main wheel. I like it. I weigh about 200lbs. It's your money, blow it how you like!

They are very solid and very aero wheels. They are not the lightest, but that is really not an issue for someone over 200 lb. One caveat is that they are more sensitive to cross winds, just as any aero wheel will be. This is less of an issue for heavier riders, but it will be noticeable. Whether it is a problem for any given rider is kind of personal - your bike handling skills and your tolerance for this sort of thing.

they will definitloey support you - but they aren't too flexible though

i never regretted getting my pair

.. if you are seriously looking for aero advantage or speed for TT. I'd get the Hed3 front and a Mavic Open Pro with a disc cover for the rear. Way cheaper than a full carbon disc. It's probably one of the fastest wheel combos available. You can also look at Nimble wheels. They are similar to Hed's. One of the posters here has them and likes them a lot.
Best of Luck!

I'll chime in a bit...

The H3 is a specialty wheel, and while I believe that there would be no probs with a person of your weight using said every day, it's not really an everyday wheel.

As mentioned, the H3 is heavy but has excellent aerodynamic characteristics at speed which is why it's so popular (along with the newer H3 carbon). This does, however, give it some peculiar real world quirks as mentioned by Kerry Irons... twitchier than most in high winds.

As a specialty wheel, and if funds allowed, I think I'd opt for the all carbon tubular, but that's just me. Also note that the wheel does have a ""leading aero edge" with respect to the wheel's rotation. The first time I used an H3 in competition, I had it installed... backwards (I think a team wrench did similar to Ullrich this season using a different Tri spoke wheel)!

I am one of the Nimble riders. The Nimble Crosswind (the set I have) is similar in appearance to the H3s but is a little different. The H3 valve stem is in a cutout in a spoke and can be difficult to inflate the tire where the valve stem on the Nimble is behind the spoke. The H3 is a little heavier but has a slightly deeper cross section. It depends on who you talk to about which wheel is more aero. I weigh 195 lbs and have ridden my Crosswinds as my daily wheels for 6 years without any problems.

Also note that the wheel does have a ""leading aero edge" with respect to the wheel's rotation. The first time I used an H3 in competition, I had it installed... backwards (I think a team wrench did similar to Ullrich this season using a different Tri spoke wheel)!

That "team wrench" was his brother. :D

I've got the 700C version of the specialized set (same thing). Love 'em. I use them for TT's only, but I would have no problem with them on every day rides (if they were Campy, anyway). They can be problematic in cross winds when aero, but that's the only issue I've had. I ride the clincher version. Be careful what stem lenght you use, as some pumps can have problems getting certain stems. Also, I recommend zip-tying your magnet on the wheel and not relying on the adhesive alone.

TB

They are very solid and very aero wheels. They are not the lightest, but that is really not an issue for someone over 200 lb. One caveat is that they are more sensitive to cross winds, just as any aero wheel will be. This is less of an issue for heavier riders, but it will be noticeable. Whether it is a problem for any given rider is kind of personal - your bike handling skills and your tolerance for this sort of thing.

In the past I used an older Specialized road frame for time trials with clamp on aerobars, and my front Rev-X was a handful in even slight cross winds. Finally built up a tt-specific frame last year with older vision tech bars and had almost zero difficulty using the same wheels. I'm sure it had something to do with the slacker head tube angle and intended for/aft balancing for aerobar use. If you're a heavier rider with a tri or tt specific frame, or you don't mind riding out of the aerobars for a while, the trispoke probably won't be a problem in most winds.

If things get gusty, either ride in an area where you can get blown around a bit without consequences or leave the front trispoke at home. I have never been bothered by rear disks in windy conditions on either bike, and I'm only 170-180, but the front could be a problem sometimes. I race with a lot of skinny twigs and they invariably chose to use their deepest wheels on windy days, and things get interesting. Trispokes are supposed to be among the fastest or THE fastest, but they're also notorious for catching sidewinds.