Manatee Mentors 2015.2 CLOSED (Poptarts? Pet pics?) (Page 27)

Sean, you are on a slippery slope! Only you know what your budget is, so the ROI is all yours to figure. My guess is that wheels bring added speed and other, sometimes less tangible, factors to the bike. I can tell you that wheels are going to be the last (if ever) add on for my use. For me (and this is only for me) the list of items to consider for my biking is:

1. Engine
2. Fit
3. Frame
4. Helmet
5. Hydration set-up
6. Engine
7. Fit
8. Power
9. Wheels

There may be other people that have a list that is different or includes other items, again I say, this is my list. That said, I am on year 4 and am considering step 3 on my list. So the equation to find your ROI should include your goals. My goals are modest at best, so my ROI and yours are probably different. 

From a strict value perspective, I would ask what year and mileage are on the wheels? $800 for a set of wheels that retail new for roughly $1800 - $1900 doesn't sound bad too me. 

ETA: Some of the above list would probably happen in concert with one another, ie 8 and 9 at the same time.

ETA again: This guy (no affiliation) has a rotating stock of equipment and sometimes has some pretty good deals. I've not bought anything from them yet, so I can't speak to any of that side, I've just notice the prices.  https://www.mybikeshop.com/wheels

1. Engine - I'm working on this as much as I can, but it's the one I'm going to have to be the most patient with. I think it's pretty good for the relatively small amount of time I've been training
2. Fit - I got fit by the best guy in town (supposedly). Wasn't cheap, more than half of what my bike cost
3. Frame - I've got an entry level aero frame, so I don't think I need to address this again until every other opportunity has been taken
4. Helmet - working on this
5. Hydration set-up, I've bought an in-between aero bars hydration set up, it's probably been the best thing I've spent money on so far
6. Engine - see above
7. Fit - see above
8. Power - I guess I haven't been doing this long enough to be obsessed with power yet. I've been training by heart rate and perceived effort and it's been working pretty well. I'm not sure how it will help me go faster in a race at this point
9. Wheels - they sure do look cool!

Edited by Jet Black 2015-03-11 9:30 AM

For that price I would go with Flo wheels if you're racing mostly triathlons.  They're about that price.  They'll be new, and they use fairings just like HED does.  

I'm riding Chinese rims from ebay, which work if you're looking for a cheaper solution that uses a solid carbon rim instead of a fairing.

I think that is a great deal but I see they are sold.  Best bang for the buck would be a deeper front like 60mm and a disc cover in the back.  The disc cover can be a bit of a pain.  I tried for a while then bought a used Flo disc.  It was cheap and it works well but is noisy.  I really like that HED setup.

Rudy Project often has some deals on their helmets.  I get notices all the time.  Not too long ago they had Wingspans for about $120.  Tires and tubes can make a huge difference too.  A lot of folks like the Conti 4000s.  I am using them now as my favorites aren't made anymore and are impossible to find.  I think I prefer the Vittoria open corsa evo's though.  Not only are they fast but I like the road feel.

That's a good deal.  I paid $500 for my PT hub alone.  What generation is the hub?  Is it ANT+?  That would be a big deal for me.

Here's a link to the similar wheels that I have.  Mine were 25mm wide instead of 23 though
http://www.redeaglesbike.com/23mm-Width-U-Shape-38mm-clincher-carbon-road-wheelset-p64327.html

Yeah if it's ANT+ then it should link with the 920.  You may or not run into some issues as I knew a few racers that had issues with PMs and their 910s.  I use the almighty Edge 500.  Easily the best fitness device I've used in my career.

Agreed 100%!  That would be the less tangible aspect.  And how about the way they sound? 

Your right on the list, everyone's is different and some are much tighter on a timeline then am I. Buy the whole thing at once and be done with it is what some people do.  For me though, the more expensive stuff is at the bottom of my list. I'm currently racing a 2004 or 2006 road bike (depends where I look for info, but I think bikepedia has it as a 2004) with a few small add-ons here and there. So, I am due for a new bike. And I left a few other items off the list, ie I don't have a trainer, all my riding is outside. I think a trainer or rollers would be a valuable asset to have, but again, ROI for me is limited. I like to ride outside and am not currently improvement focused.  I don't use an HRM, all I'm using is RPE, which at it's very core is somewhat less quantifiable. Again, I see value in the tool, but the ROI doesn't play out for me.

Some of the other options mentioned have merit, renting is a real good short term option. And Flo's have a big following as well. 

MattMS, I'm kind of intrigued by the Chinese option. How is the quality and what did you need to do when you received them?

Good Morning!

Speaking of "wheels". Hope this starts you off with a smile  

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/incredible-95-year-old-man-sets-world-record-in-200-meter-dash

I took them to my team shop (sounds cool to say that ) to get them trued.  The front wheel was good to go, but I won't lie about the rear wheel.  There was a defect in the rim that we caught.  I thought it was just out of true, but it turned out the brake track had a flaw.  After sending some pics to the seller they sent me a new rear wheel, which is working great for me now.  

How very, VERY cool!  That J's a keeper!

(tongue in cheek because your heat is real and probably humid, too and for that I am sorry)

Yeah, it's hot here, too!  45*!  I will be possibly be wearing shorts to run tonight, yes!!  Yes, 45* does feel hot when one is used to temps in the teens and twenties.

I am so ready for this weather change.  The snow is melting (but still lingering in many places), everything is a very wet, muddy mess but I couldn't be happier!

You will save a few watts with latex tubes.  I don't use them for everyday riding as they do not hold air over time as well as butyl.  Some say they are not as durable and are more prone to flats but some would also argue that. 

Supposedly they're more resistant to pinch flats.  The air thing and ease of changing is why I use butyl when not racing.  I'm using Butyl for Rouge as well.

Ohhhh whaaaa? Awesome! 

I am really far behind.  Work has been keeping me busy.  I'm trying to adjust to a new schedule of getting up early, getting to work earlier, and then leaving before 5 so I can do daycare pickup and be home by 6.  Lately, I've been exhausted by the time I make it home, so it's been tough to also try to fit training in on top of that.  Also, with E (my 3 year old) starting a new daycare, we've all been sick.  I think we had flu round 2.  E and I are better. My husband is home today because he can barely sit up.  Really hoping this crud gets out of the house soon!!

Not sure if I replied at any point in my Manatee history to this...my birthday is July 22.