Race wheels for under $1000?

Used front (HED 3 is my preference) and a disc cover from wheelbuilder.con ($100) on the rear. Substantially under $1000.

Oh, and the good thing about aero equipment is that you can buy it and work on your engine. The two are not mutually exclusive, and both will make you faster. (or "make you slow down less," if you prefer )

Definitely a solid route to go if you can do it.  I looked at doing this for a while, but a HED3 front that wasn't well over $450 was actually kinda hard to find. Some were getting caught in bidding wars on eBay for as much as $700. The ones that were less than that either disappeared FAST, or looked a little too beat up to want to buy and risk the money on.

The wheelbuilder cover only works if your current rear wheel will accept one.  Mine were Shimano R500's, which are not compatible.

Because of this, I ended up going the FLO route and got a set of 90's and a wheelbuilder cover. Even managed to score the cover used for only $45.  

I bought a used HED.3 for about $425. My Shimano RH-550's also weren't compatible with a disc cover, so eventually found a used Renn 575 rear disc for around $450. 

Mark 

One can buy a compatible spoked rear wheel, like the bomb-proof Mavic Open Pro, for less than $200, add a cover and still be well below the cost of most aero wheels. Faster too.

All depends on your budget and your desires.

x2.  I went with a used 808 for the front.

x2.  I got a used 404 set and a wheelbuilder disc cover for my rear training wheel (PT wheel) for under 1k including shipping.  I went with the 404 set for road racing where a disc cover wouldn't be allowed.  If I didn't road race, I'd just go for the 404 front.

Something you may want to check into is renting them form a race.

Last year for my IM I rented a 404 for the front and 808 for the rear. Total cost $120

Flo 60 / 90 AND a wheel cover.  You'll look great and get faster.   Along with a new set of tubes, tools and tires you should be right about $1k if I remember correctly.  

Looking back, though, I debate if purchasing was the right idea.   A part of me wishes I still bought the 60 front and then a cheaper used rear wheel with a powertap.  

Or, just do both .  

X2 on the boyd wheels.  I have been riding a set of 58mm front and back for almost a year and love them.  I bought a rear disc cover for races and for just over $1k total I have a solid set for year round group rides and a quick change gives me a rear disc race setup.

Used Zipp/HED Front or New Flo Front + wheel cover back - cheaper

Used Zipp/HED set or new Flo set.