I am hoping to pick up a Powertap in the next week or so. The standard build seems to be an Open Pro. I was thinking that this should be ok for races - I have a deep section carbon front wheel that I can use. The other options seem to get signficantly more expensive than the Open Pro (AC 420, HED, Zipp, etc). I'd be willing to pay more for a better wheel (that can be used for both racing and training) if there is a significant improvement. I'd be interested in opinions from people who both race and train on the same Powertap wheel and if they are using something other than Open Pro and if so, what their experience has been.

Thanks.

If you are using it for racing I'd probably go with a deeper rim and aero spokes... couldn't hurt. If you are considering an AC420 I'd suggest the Niobium 30 rim... same alloy, same company, same weight... and a lot cheaper and easier to get. I built one into a Powertap Pro a couple of weeks ago with triplet lacing (32h hub, 24h rim) and the tension was nearly even on both sides.

I agree with rruff, the 30mm niobium rim is a good choice for a do it all rim. They are fairly light, very stiff and very reasonably priced.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ligerowheels/404073553/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/404073553_be25392e25.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Powertap SL 2.4, sliver cx-rays, 30mm niobium rim" /></a>

I am hoping to pick up a Powertap in the next week or so. The standard build seems to be an Open Pro. I was thinking that this should be ok for races - I have a deep section carbon front wheel that I can use. The other options seem to get signficantly more expensive than the Open Pro (AC 420, HED, Zipp, etc). I'd be willing to pay more for a better wheel (that can be used for both racing and training) if there is a significant improvement. I'd be interested in opinions from people who both race and train on the same Powertap wheel and if they are using something other than Open Pro and if so, what their experience has been.

You also probably would be happy with Velocity Aeroheads, and using an Aerohead OC for the rear will build a better wheel due to the off center rim.

I have a set of the niobiums paired with White hubs from Ligero. They are excellent wheels and have stood up to everything that I have asked from them and I'm a 240 pounder with a reputation for killing wheels. My only regret is I should have put a power tap hub in the rear.

Thanks all - looks like either a Velocity or Nobium rim would be a better choice than the OP. Any suggestions about best source for either of these options?

My LBS built a Powertap SL for me last year using a 28 hole Aerohead OC and DT Aerolite spokes. I had a front wheel built by Mike Garcia (he lives about 50 miles from me) using a 24 hole front and Wheelsmith AE 15 spokes. Made a great training set for my TT bike. I think if I also wanted to race them on a road bike, I'd look at the Niobium 30, but the Aeroheads are hard to beat.

Thanks all - looks like either a Velocity or Nobium rim would be a better choice than the OP. Any suggestions about best source for either of these options?

I've bought my most recent Velocity rims from Yellow Jersey, Madison Wisconsin.