Originally Posted by
Alex & Deya
We really like our Rolfs but the attraction of lighter wheels for those climbing events and rides sounds great.
It would have to be an event with an awful lot of climbing, such as an uphill time trial to make up for the decreased aerodynamics.
Aerodynamics almost always trumps weight. And I'm willing to bet the Rolfs have substantially less drag.
If you look at what's being used in professional racing there is a big trend more aero(and there fore heavier wheels) even in races with substantial climbing. For example Tyler Hamilton won the US Pro championship in Greenville which included multiple climbs up Paris Mountain with Zipp 808's wich are about the same weight difference from say a Zipp 303 as the Rolfs are to the Topolinas.
If you go to analyticcyling.com and play with the model, assume 300 watts power, and 5% grade, reducing the drag coefficient even 2/100ths, increases speed more than decreasing weight a pound.
So even on a 5% grade, the Rolf's are likely faster, and they're certainly faster on descents, and flats.