Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Is the HED 3 a good option?

I've two questions, one is concerning price, I've got a chance to get a new (from the store) clincher front track HED 3 for $680, does it seem like a good deal or is the normal price?

The second question is if this front wheel is good for sprint races. I've read some old threads from this subforum saying that they aren't the stiffest out there but are very aero, that made me wonder if I should pass on this deal and wait for a used corima 4 spoke to pop on ebay..

I've heard moderate to heavy riders say that it feels mushy when pulling g-forces when going fast through turns. If you are a lighter rider, then I can't see it being a problem for you.

I can't comment on the price. I'm not familiar with how much they cost.

A few racers in victoria use them, but it's a 333m track, with minimal g forces in the bankings. I borrowed a pair for Pursuit Nats, and I did my fastest time ever, but that's not the only reason, as i was hella peaking for that event.

HED 3 tubular with a 19mm tire. That wheel just keeps going and going.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=2904234

HED 3 tubular with a 19mm tire. That wheel just keeps going and going.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=2904234

I wouldn't ride a 19mm tire on the track...especially a steep track.

(with one exception that requires a long explanation)

If you look at the data these guys took:http://www.rouesartisanales.com/ (http://www.rouesartisanales.com/etudes) the HED3 is among the least stiff and most aero wheels around.

That said, they're nice wheels, and I raced a pair of really old ones (they were actually specialized tri-spokes) for a couple years at a pretty high level. The only time I ever had an issue was heavy side-loading during bad madison exchanges on a concrete track causing chattering. I know someone else who had similar problems with them, but only on wood tracks... They were great for pretty much everything else, and it didn't really stop me from riding them in madisons, either. They took quite a beating, surviving more that a few crashes, but I did finally crack a spoke in one a few years ago. I haven't checked prices on them lately-- I got the pair of tubular trispokes for ~$500 or something like that several years ago, so $680 for one seems like a lot.

I wouldn't ride a 19mm tire on the track...especially a steep track.

(with one exception that requires a long explanation)

I wouldn't either for mass start, but it would be fine for TTs, particularly on the small subset of wheels that are designed to be used with a 19.

Than again, I don't really ride TTs...