"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Wheels/Powertap

So I'm thinking of wheel options for my Time build and so far here's where I'm at.

Easton Aero Al clinchers or similar ~$500
Some used/budget carbon tubulars ~$800-1,100
If I do get the carbon tubulars then probably also a set of cheap training wheels ~$200-250

So for the price of carbon tubs + training wheels I could get a PT and have it laced into an Open Pro or similar, right?

Is that a better option for me?

Next year will be my second season racing and the first with any kind of pre-season training.
My current training is kind of unstructured, ride lots, some interval sessions etc.

Would a PT and a more structured training routine would be more beneficial than lighter, more aero wheels?

Also, I see used PT's for around $600, usually including the wheel.
Any reason not to get an older one?
I'll be racing crits, road and circuit races.

I'll tell you most people here will tell you to get the powertap over the wheels. You'll get more benefit in the long run. As fas as which ones to get, I know the older ones aren't +Ant and that's about it. Some of the older ones are wireless as well. It just becomes a question of product durability and warranties (which I can't vouch for).

Remember that the ebay cashback is at 30% right now, so if you buy a wheelset right now you get it for 70% of the cost.

Stuff like this (not my auction, though I wish the wheels were mine):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290277545588

Get a training wheelset and this, and you're set.


The 'which is better for me' debate is a little strange since they're not mutually exclusive. Better training will allow you considerable gains in watts if you train right, whereas an aero wheelset will 'save' you about 10-15 watts. So no matter your FTP, aero wheels will help you.

If you have limited funds, then you have to ask yourself which is more beneficial, aero wheels that work to give you immediate results, or a power meter which will be slower to give you gains but will make you stronger in the end.

IMHO, if you have to pick, I'd say get the Powertap.
Or better yet, if you have a compatible crankset, get a quarq and a garmin.

Remember that the ebay cashback is at 30% right now, so if you buy a wheelset right now you get it for 70% of the cost.

Stuff like this (not my auction, though I wish the wheels were mine):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290277545588

Get a training wheelset and this, and you're set.




That is a good deal.

I guess I'm trying to figure the long term, pre-season benefits of training with a PM vs the instant benefit of more aero wheels.

But if I could get a carbon tub wheelset that cheap I could get a used PT and still be in budget...

That is a good deal.

I guess I'm trying to figure the long term, pre-season benefits of training with a PM vs the instant benefit of more aero wheels.

But if I could get a carbon tub wheelset that cheap I could get a used PT and still be in budget...

The ones I linked are clinchers.

The PM training doesn't end when the season starts, it's probably more important during the season so you make sure you're still working hard but not too hard when you're training. If you're considering other PM's, I'd consider getting a quarq or getting a compatible crankset and getting the power unit and a garmin to seal the deal. Crank based power meters don't limit your wheels, and are much better unless you have the need for different cranks on all your bikes (hammertoe).

Carbon clinchers seem much easier to deal with since you can train with them to get used to them a bit too without worrying about being sol if you get a flat.

The gigantex carbon tubulars should be cheaper than that.

Here you go if you want 50mm tubulars that are 200 grams lighter than those clinchers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flit-Zephyr-50mm-Carbon-Tubular-Wheelset-700c-NEW-1383g_W0QQitemZ140283248375QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item140283248375&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Or these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carbon-Fiber-700C-Tubular-Wheelset-Road-Bike-Shimano_W0QQitemZ150309786062QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item150309786062&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

i dont know about you, but i would go with the power! plus i wanna be like WR and crush souls with OPs and 64+ spokes.

i dont know about you, but i would go with the power! plus i wanna be like WR and crush souls with OPs and 64+ spokes.

Me too, but seeing a set of wheels that I can really afford after the discount (less than 450 with shipping) for a 50mm front and 60mm rear wheel makes my mouth water a bit. Who says you can't get both a PM and a wheelset. Why are they mutually exclusive? ;)

With reasonable guesstimates, that would increase my top end sprint to about 42 (from about 40) and would 'save' me about 6% of my ftp (or 15 watts). That's really nothing to scoff it. If you're stronger than that even without the wheels, then more power to you (literally)!

I'm holding off on buying aero wheels till I upgrade to the 3's.

My goals were 5-->4 Power meter, an 4-->3 aero wheels. Since the competition would be much stiffer then. I ended up getting a power meter and now I have money that I would have 'otherwise' spent, and I figure I might as well get wheels with that money.

Though in this time, I think the money might be better of saved...

(Yes, my parents yelled at me when I told them I was considering spending 600 bucks on high zoot wheels...)

You'll be set back ~$1900, but a Quarq (with crank/bb) and Garmin 705 is where I would spend the money... then you can get a set of ~$200 wheels.. to train/race on. It will be much easier to upgrade to some race wheels in the future and have power as well...

You'll be set back ~$1900, but a Quarq (with crank/bb) and Garmin 705 is where I would spend the money... then you can get a set of ~$200 wheels.. to train/race on. It will be much easier to upgrade to some race wheels in the future and have power as well...

A used PT is $600 with a wheel, is a Quark/705 that much better? Plus I have a 305 already.

Not really an option.

A used PT is $600 with a wheel, is a Quark/705 that much better? Plus I have a 305 already.

Not really an option.

The advantage is that you can get power with any wheels you want.

Otherwise you're going to want a race PT wheelset and those wheelsets get pricey, and you'll end up with 2 PT's.

You can race with the rear PT, but then it makes less sense to have a tubular race only wheelset, since you won't collect race data.

You'll be fine racing a PT rear wheel though. As long as its 30ish mm deep, you can get a front aero wheel, as that's the one that makes the biggest difference anyway.

Arent all the Quarq's sold out ATM?

FWIW, I really have no desire to work a more aero rear. I've got a 21mm deep back there now.
$600 used PT is a happy training and race configuration. If you have an A race and you're REALLY worried about the aero or weight, just go w/out power that day and race a wheel purchased with the money you saved getting the used PT.

Remember RX's Ridley gots no power meter... it's his mountain goat soul crusher.

FWIW, I really have no desire to work a more aero rear. I've got a 21mm deep back there now.
$600 used PT is a happy training and race configuration. If you have an A race and you're REALLY worried about the aero or weight, just go w/out power that day and race a wheel purchased with the money you saved getting the used PT.

Remember RX's Ridley gots no power meter... it's his mountain goat soul crusher.

So you'll work a more aero front? :innocent:

What about a disc cover for your next TT? All the thrills none of the frills?

Yeah, I'll probably build a new front in the next couple months (KinLin XR-300 likely, with 24 aero spokes)

Me too, but seeing a set of wheels that I can really afford after the discount (less than 450 with shipping) for a 50mm front and 60mm rear wheel makes my mouth water a bit. Who says you can't get both a PM and a wheelset. Why are they mutually exclusive? ;)

With reasonable guesstimates, that would increase my top end sprint to about 42 (from about 40) and would 'save' me about 6% of my ftp (or 15 watts). That's really nothing to scoff it. If you're stronger than that even without the wheels, then more power to you (literally)!

I'm holding off on buying aero wheels till I upgrade to the 3's.

My goals were 5-->4 Power meter, an 4-->3 aero wheels. Since the competition would be much stiffer then. I ended up getting a power meter and now I have money that I would have 'otherwise' spent, and I figure I might as well get wheels with that money.

Though in this time, I think the money might be better of saved...

(Yes, my parents yelled at me when I told them I was considering spending 600 bucks on high zoot wheels...)

Wait... when did you get a 40 mph sprint!?

And your parents are right, for the moment. Hold off for the moment and see how it goes - having the $450 lying around could come in handy. Another killer deal will surface someday. Of course, you might be less broke than I am.

I'm starting to agree with WR. I rented a set of 60mm aero wheels for a crit to see how big a difference there was. My scientific findings? Eh. I got beat by lots of 32h box sections.

Engine > Equipment

Wait... when did you get a 40 mph sprint!?

And your parents are right, for the moment. Hold off for the moment and see how it goes - having the $450 lying around could come in handy. Another killer deal will surface someday. Of course, you might be less broke than I am.

When I got a 1211 watt 5 second power with a 1283 peak ;)

I haven't been able to do it again since then, though I've only tried once. Not worried about it yet.