afb

I recently got some HED jet 50s and love them but wonder if I look like a dork riding on them when out with other instead of a race. I guess bc I do not see anyone else with such deep wheels, I’ve seen Zipps, but none as deep as 50s. I just haven’t switch the wheels bc I am not confident on the rear derailer and having to adjust it. I just ordered a bike stand & it is something I plan on learning.
But in the mean time is it so awkward to ride race wheels?

timster

I don't think it's awkward at all. Ride whatever you want during group rides (except aero bars!)

There was a guy who used to show up to our group rides with 404s. No one seemed to mind.

If you have to justify yourself, you could always say that you want to test them out before an upcoming race. Nothing wrong with that!

botto 

training wheels for training, race wheels for races.

grahny

Just label your HED's 'training wheels' and you'll be fine

gsteinb

I can't see me riding expensive tires, and wheels, outside of a race. Stuff costs too much money.

SilentShifter

Ride whatever wheels you want. Personally, I would use heavier, less aero wheels for training as when you use your race wheels it will feel much better.

umd

Every once and a while I leave my race wheels on for a day or two after a race, or put them on a day before the race... I usually get a lot of flak for it.

Crash716

sadly i am a fred and train on Zipp 303's.

i was training on reynolds solitudes but i got a great deal on a power tap and 303's.

1k for a PT pro and 2008 Zipp 303's with about 500 miles on them. the rear is a clydesdale so...

does it help that i race on 404 tubbies?

wfrogge

Do whatever you want... Who cares what anybody else thinks

Crash716

honestly i really don't...but you would be surprised how many people get upset that i am training with 303's.

Dubbayoo

I bought my carbon wheels to ride. If the roads/weather are good I ride them. If not I ride the Ksyriums. If somebody else can show up on a Cervelo SLC with alloy rims why can't I show up on a PF beater with carbon wheels?

Cateye

They are your wheels. Ride them when you want to.

UGASkiDawg

+1,000,000 in all things in life

The_Convert

Sure you can do what you want, but you asked if people would think you were a dork...
to which the answer is 'yes'.

whitemax

There are dorks out there riding such wheels in ordinary group rides but you don't see it often because most cyclist don't have the dosh for those kind of wheels.

SushiJoe

I like to train on heavier stuff. It's like losing an easy 3 lbs. come race day.

MDcatV

unless you're just trying out your new hoops, it's:

- very fred and at same time very poser to show up at a group ride on high zoot wheels

- believe it or not aside from simple wear and tear, there are other practical reasons for having race only wheels. such as, you're not picking up road junk while riding them in training, stuff that will embed in the tire, go un-noticed until it works its way through and causes you a flat mid-race.

dont be a dork, save your good wheels for racing.

FreddyBoy

I must ride in competitive group rides (they are) but I would say a third ride carbon rims and most of those ride Zipp 404's and a couple clydes ride w/808's on the rear mated w/Powertap or SRM on the hubs.
(some of these guys are sponsored by their clubs but got to say, wearing Donna Karen team kits almost makes it not worth the discount)

One guy rides a sub 15lb Madone. (He upgraded the rims to those fancy carbon's with the dimpled hub)

I like to think that if I ever upgrade from my 23lb LeMond I might be more of a force on these rides, but am saving my metrics (ability comparisons) for the twice weekly Tortoise & Hare races that will begin w/Daylight Savings Time.
T&H = Cat 1's thru 5's and Masters in one race. The tortoises are "spotted" 6 minutes on an ~30mile course and then chased down. Some VERY VERY competitive riders. (one guy is a former Belgian National Team rider)

travkat

Ride em. You won't get used to the way they handle unless you ride them often. If you only pull them out for a race you can get surprised by handling characteristics of stiffer, deeper wheels.

OCshark

I see Cat 5s and 4s racing on Zipp 404s and Reynolds Assaults. I'm sorry, but that's just asking for them to get wrecked (the chances of a wreck in those cats are always higher). So, I see no reason you should feel awkward doing group rides on your favorite equipment.

umd

BS. I see just as many crashes in the higher categories. AFAIK the only race with a crash in the crit on Sunday was in the P/1/2/3 field, with a bike split in half.

RazorWind

My number one rule of cycling is that it's supposed to be fun. If riding your nice wheels makes it more fun for you, use them.

For the record, though, given that the truly high zoot wheels generally require you to use tubular tires, I'd probably leave those at home if I weren't in a race, as changing a tubular tire on the side of the road sounds like kind of a bummer.

Crash716

well..my 303 clinchers are heavier than my 404 tubbies...and not as aero, so yeah...suck it trebeck.


[not directed at anyone in particular]

gsteinb

suck it trebeck?

Crash716

saturday night live....