One set of wheels or two?

I don't know about the other brands but Mavic has the MP3 program where you can warranty your wheels for 2 years and they'll replace them free. Drive over them, beat the snot out of them, whatever.

Just something to throw in the pot for consideration.

There's the Felt TTR2 wheelset, 40mm Al clincher, bladed spokes, Ti skewers, etc., best of both worlds for $599.  Sometimes you can find these wheels on ebay for $400-450.

You can also find a used front wheel then use a disk cover on the rear.


Edited by Donto 2009-09-14 8:22 AM

I have no problem training on my "race" wheels (HED3 front, Renn575 disc), mainly because I'm too lazy to swap them out with the stock wheels, especially when I'm racing every week or so.

I'm not sure why you would even entertain option #2, unless yoru current wheels needed to be replaced for some reason.

Shop ebay, get yourself some aero wheels at a cheaper price.

Neither. What I'd do is create for myself a training time trial course. Then, I'd set a time goal for that course, which if I could ride, I'd consider myself a "good rider" (as opposed to a "mediocre rider"). Then, I'd work on that goal seriously with the bike/wheels that I have and put a little money aside every month. Once I attained that goal, I'd reward myself by spending all that money on whatever will make me faster in a TT/race, and especially make me enjoy riding more so that my development continues. But that's just me.

You could go either way, but it really depends on your goals, the type of riding that you do, your existing wheels, etc.

I was in the same boat and went with your solution #2. But I do a lot of mixed riding, and may do some road racing. I wanted a set of wheels that could do it all... i.e. lightweight, inexpensive, durable and somewhat aero.

What are your priorities? You need to analyze your existing wheels. What are their shortcomings? You may spend a lot of money and end up with something that isn't much better. In my case, the stock wheels that were on my bike were very heavy (over 2000g for the set). I do a lot of climbing so my priorities were: 1. lightweight (if I couldn't get much lighter wheels, I knew it wasn't going to be worth it), 2. Cost 3. Semi-Aero

I'd recommend getting a powertap laced on a rear wheel, throw a $90 disc cover on it and train hard to become a better biker.  Race wheels might make you slightly faster but they will not make you a better biker, training will.



Edited by evondo 2009-09-14 1:44 PM