Originally Posted by
Shimagnolo
Funny thing about this is that HED was indeed testing heavier wheels for descending around this timeframe. While the article linked is an April fools joke they did in fact run some tests. In the tour that year they had Floyd swap bikes at the top of a mountain for a descent and then swap bikes at the bottom.
Guesses on whether they were heavier wheels for descending on swapping on and off of a bike with a motor - meh.