Hi everyone,

This is my first post on bike forms. I am looking at getting some aero wheels around the 18-2400$ price range ( some flex here), and am looking for some advice/ direction on a good wheelset for my intended use.

Here is some backround:

I have been cycling for several years, more seriously for 2. I own a Scott foil with course 30 wheels, garmin vector 3 power meter, aero clothing/helmet, and clip on aero bars that I use on and off. I race occasionally, seek out fast group rides, however mostly ride/ train solo. Ill never be a pro and don't intend to be, however what I enjoy most about cycling is going as fast as I possibly can through improving my health, fitness, and gear. The area I live in is almost completely flat. I weigh 190. Solo I average between 21-23 for an hour or two riding around threshold/tempo. Im looking at the zipp 404s as that's what most people ride around here and while expensive, they seem to be a "Top" brand.

So what do y'all recommend and why? Are aero wheels even worth it? How much faster do they make you?

Well, what do you race? Crit, road, time trial, triathlon (long or short course)? Will you train on the wheels and race, or just race?

The answer to that question determines a LOT.

A triathlete the answer would probably be a bunch of FLO gear, a 40 front, an 80 front, and a disc rear.

For a roadie, I'd say a modern shaped 40 to 60mm would do for most anything you'd race in. Uphill or flat.

For crit? Something you can afford to trash from crashing.

Time trail? Similar answer as for triathlon.

If you road race and time trail, buy a skinsuit. You don't need to be carrying a bunch of trash in your pockets during a race, and they freaking work. A $200 to $300 skinsuit is worth vastly more than a $2000 wheelset. Maybe not if your road races are long enough for feed zones (more than 90min to 2 hours). Under 2 hours, use it and tuck gels under your skinsuit's thigh.

I Plan on doing small weekend stage races that include TTs, RRs, and crits all in the same weekend. I will train and race on them. I do have a skinsuit and all aero gear. I saved wheels for my last purchase as per dollar they seem to get the least return in performance. Im wondering if they are even worth it.

I'd consider going deeper than 404s, especially at the rear. Maybe something like Bontrager 5/7 or one of the Enve sets.

Crits are no more crash prone than road races.

If you plan to do any mass start event - road race or crit - you are at equal risk of crashing. Your frame is as likely to break as wheels.

Maybe true on a percentage of riders that crash basis.. but per mile ridden likely a different story? fwiw

No country for old cyclists. I don't recall guys sticking their elbows in my ribs nearly as much on road races. Crits are mostly a blur, But I know I crashed probably 4 or 5x as much in them as I did in road races.