Triathlon - which wheelset is better?

Zipp 606 wheelset (404 front and 808 back)

or

carbon Roval Rapide Star wheelset (clincher 700cc) with Ti skewers

Well, let me preface this by saying I have neither. I did find this review of the Roval

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wheels/tires-clincher/specialized/PRD_409479_2489crx.aspx#reviews

Personally, I always do a great deal of research before spending that kind of money. The 3.5 out of 5 would at least worry me enough to prompt a ton more research if I were leaning that way. For that kind of investment, I would want something that was more universally agreed upon as great.

I would love to have some Zipps from what I've heard about them. Saw this single review of the 606 after a quick search:

http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/zipp-speed-weaponry/wheelsets/PRD_369166_5845crx.aspx

Like I said, no personal experience, but I can't recall hearing much negative about a Zipp wheel.

Thanks for the reply, even those 2 reviews help.

Those are very different wheelsets. And though I will very rarely make broad generalized judgements. I will say the Zipps are superior in almost everyway. Specialized's focus on the narrow hub is a fruitless venture unless they are willing to make a narrow fork to match. And even then, it is a low yaw angle fix, in a high yaw angle world.

In no particular order I would recommend the following wheels(with preference given to clincher over tubular) for their proven aerodynamics, durability and popularity...

Hed wheels, Hed 3, Hed Jet C2 60 and deeper, Hed Stingers, Hed's Jet disk
Zipp wheels, 404 and deeper
Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL

Performance between any of the above will be very close. The worst aero performer wise would be the Mavic cosmic carbones which probably gives up 10-12 watts(at most) to the best set like Hed Jet disc, with jet 90 front or Zipp clincher disc/1080.

Quite frankly, I'm 130 pounds, triathlete only and my dream budget wheelset is a Flashpoint 80 front with a Hed Jet Clincher disc rear. My overall dream wheelset is probably a set of Zipp 808s.

What is your application? Different wheels for different applications.

I don't know about yet about wheelsets, so can someone please elaborate and enlighten me as to the benefits of each of these wheelsets?

Zipp utilizes a patented rim shape(they and Hed share the patent). It effectively makes the air pass over the front half of the wheel as well as the rear half. The 606 combo should be fairly light, decent stiffness, easy to handle but of most importance it is very aerodynamic.

The Specialized wheelset is a V shaped rim, meaning that it is fairly good breaking the wind but doesn't do as good of a job keeping the wind flow smoothe(laminar) over the back half of the wheel, especially with cross winds(yaw). the Specialized wheel will also be light, probably less stiff, easy to handle but of utmost importance NOT nearly as aerodynamic. The narrow hub needs to be incredibly heavy to provide the sort of stiffness and strength that is needed. It really creates a lot of sacrifices, in my opinion.

I can't stress this enough, the Zipps are in another realm of wheelset in my mind. It is patented, proven technology.