HED H3 vs Zipp 808 FC

I just went through the same dilema. Here is the thread: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3738057

What I got out of it is: Zipp808 Firecrest is the best but most expensive.  Zipp808 (torroidal) ans H3 are pretty close in performance but H3 is a very narrow profile and you will need to run 19mm to 21mm tires to take advantage of aerodynamic properties.

In the end I just went with a 404.

After doing some reading and research, I decided on a set of 2012 Zipp 808 FC's for my P2.  Sadly, I haven't had a chance to ride them yet so I can't provide any real feedback.  My pace is right around what yours is.  The majority of what I read said that the Zipp's are the fastest (and they come with a price).  I also noticed that the Zipp's tend to maintain the better resale value compared to what I was looking at. 

There's a pic up in the "Share your Cervelo" thread.

Good luck,

Shane

I was leaning towards the H3's, but after talking to some people, was recommended something with a wider profile like the Jet 9's.  This was said after I told them my current weight, which is about 205 lbs.

What kind of tires and tubes do you have on your 808's?

I was told that the deep wheels might not be as effective if you aren't pushing the speeds.

Your weight has nothing to do with it when talking about an H3. An H3 can handle a rider of 250lbs

The fastest front wheel is an 808 FC....it is also the most expensive. A pair of 808 FC's is a super fast combo...sometimes, on certain bikes, can even be faster than a 808FC x disc combo.

You next best option would be a HED Jet 9 x Jet disc with a stallion build for your weight. The Jet 9 x 9 would also be a fast combo. Much less expensive than the ZIPP's and almost, if not just, as fast as the 808FC

The H3 is a great all around wheel but in most conditions it will probably not be the fastest....but certainly not the slowest.

I have a feeling that nearly all the comparative wind tunnel tests on wheels do the H3 a disservice for two reason.

1.  do they bother to put a 19/20 tire on it- so that it matches its width.  (mind you- you can train with a regular 23)

2.  do they spin the wheels to capture the affects of the spokes moving at twice the speed?  I don't know for sure, but my guess is that there's an aero advantage with the H3 when the wheel is spinning (remember, the top is going twice as fast as the bottom and drag goes up with the square of the velocity) vs a spoked wheel.

Three good reasons to go with the H3, even if it is 2w slower than a FC404 (although it might actually be faster)

1.  they look way cooler.  hands down- the best looking wheels out there.  this is not subjective.

2.  they're bulletproof.  you can use them as your everyday wheel. 

3.  If you use the FC404/808 as race day wheels, you'll need to readjust your brakes every time you take them on and off.  just a little annoyance you won't have with the H3's

If there is a speed/drag difference between the new Zipps and the venerable H3... it's very very small.  nobody can really tell the difference. 

the biggest downside I see to a H3 is that it's tough to get a powertap in one (can you?).  However- you could always go crank or pedal based power.

I have Michelin Pro Race 3's (700 x 23) on my wheels and the tubes are just some 700 x 23C from Nashbar.  No special tubes.  I just use the valve extender that was included with the wheels.  

The point about having to adjust brakes all the time is a good one.  Fortunately, I have two bikes so the 808's will stay on my P2 pretty much exclusively since I'll do a good bit of riding on my S2.  The P2 is going to be used for a weekly brick and a long ride, as well as races.

As far as "not being able to push the speeds for the 808's," there's a good thread recently on the benefits of aero wheels for riders of all abilities.  An aero advantage is an aero advantage relative to the speed you do push.  You don't have to be capable of riding a certain speed to benefit.

Shane

I went with 808fcs on my P2 and I ride them everyday.  I don't see the point in dropping 2k on something and only using them a handful of times.  I am a light rider, under 160 and close to 150 when racing.  They feel rock solid to me, I'm hardly worried about them getting ruined by normal wear and tear, although a wreck of course could do them in; but i see that as if ifs and buts were candies and nuts, you know how the saying goes.

if you have the money and won't feel slighted by the extra cost, I'd go with 808s, but if you want more bang for you buck, the h3s are a solid choice as well.  Any differences are likely to be miniscule.

Thanks for all of the input.  I called both HED and Zipp to see how they would sell it.  The guy at HED I first spoke to, had me convinced.  Wasn't as much with the Zipp.

With that said, another option was thrown out was the Jet 9's.

At this point I'm still on the fence.  I can get the 808's for almost, relatively speaking, the same price as the H3's, and might be leaning that way.  I like the idea of best bang for buck and was thinking of the H3's for now, and pending how much I would ride, upgrade to the 808's down the road.

I ride mostly on my RS Rival, which are just with stock wheels.  I have picked up a set of Mavic Ksyrium SL's which are still fresh.  I would probably do most of my riding on that bike, and eventually move over to the P2 as I up my training and get closer to my race season.

Seems a lot of people don't use the 808's for training purposes, save the mention in this thread.  I've read in other forums to rent the wheels and keep current with the technology.  The cost savings would depend on how many races you ultimately would do.

I have both the 808 CC FC and a full set of H3s.  I've raced the H3s for a few years and have never had any issues.  In fact in 2007 I rode a 2:10 bike split at the 70.3 distance on H3 Front & Rear.  With that being said I am selling both my front and rear H3s.  If your interested in a set of wheels that were only used for racing at a great price.  Let me know.  PM me.

Thanks and good luck.

If you can get both sets of wheels for nearly the "same price," why would you consider getting one set of wheels for the "bang for the buck" when you could potentially upgrade to the 808's down the road?  If the 808's are what you think you want, and the cost is close why not simply get the wheels you really want?  If you find you ride a lot and want the 808's, you may not find the same deal you can find now and they'll actually cost you more to get.  

I would say that for the most part the differences between the two would be negligible unless you're a top level athlete.  Go with the wheels that will make you happiest, especially if the cost is the same or similar.  There's nothing worse than the feeling of "I wish I got _______ instead."

Shane

x2 on this. If the money is the same then the Zipp 808 FireCrest is currently THE WHEEL. The Jet9 and Aeolus 9.0 are probably similar in performance and price. The H3 and Noon-FioreCrest is one generation older (actually 3 or 4 generations for the H3).

Been a while, but as an update.  Got both wheels.  The H3's used, the 808FC's new.  Never used the 808's and decided to sell them to try and get the money back.

The H3's have been more than enough for me, though I don't know what the 808's ride like.  

Maybe in the future after I get more miles under me, I will want that edge with the 808's, but happy where I am now.