khatfull

Just wondering what the handling is like in a full crosswind with a more aero wheel profile....say 30mm+ a la Soul 3.0/4.0, American Classic 420 Aero/Victory 30, etc. If handling is affected, do the straightline benefits of the more aero wheels make up for that difference? We have a fairly windy climate here in MN and I'd sure like to look at a more aero wheel for the headwinds but perhaps not if handling will suck in the 20+ mph crosswinds. Thanks.

merlinextraligh

I doubt you'd notice much difference with a 30mm rim. Living along the coast, it's windy down here, particularly riding along the beach.

I've got Zipp 303's with 44mm profiles and Zipp 404's with 58mm profiles. When it get's really gusty, i.e. above 30mph, I prefer not to ride the 404's, but that's about it.

I'm pretty big, so YMMV.

urbanknight

I really don't notice much with up to 30mm rims. A 40mm front rim gave (possibly) very slight pressure in 40 mph wind gusts one time. I don't have experience with anything deeper, but these observations go back to when I weighed 120 lb. I doubt you'll have any problems.

khatfull

Ok, thanks guys...search goes on for a decent, slight more aero than a Shimano WH-RS-10 wheelset that won't send me to the poorhouse.

mjdwyer23

I have a set of Zipp 303 Tubulars if you're interested.

carpediemracing 

My DV46s got a bit hairy at 45-50 mph with vehicles driving by (like a UPS truck etc). 46 mm rim, to clarify rim size.

However I've raced the same wheels in flatter races with gusts up to 30-40-50 mph. I've also ridden TriSpokes (HED3 now) in hurricane force winds (Hurricane George in FL, 50 mph steady, 80 mph gusts at the time). Flat roads though.

Tall rims require a bit of steering because the rim acts like a rudder (at least a rudder mounted in the front). Also the rear rim will act as a stabilizer, so the bike wants to go straight, even if you lean it a bit.

If you get acclimated to taller rims, you can ride them virtually any time.

In the old days, a 20-25 mm rim was considered obscenely aero, and folks would criticize those that rode them in even slightly windy conditions. Now a 40-50 mm rim is kind of normal, and only 60-80+ mm rim riders get second glances when the winds are gusting. I'd consider my 25-30 mm Eurus to be "non-aero" for example.

Some more words:
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...-all-time.html

cdr

grid256

I ride Hed Jet 60s, the new wider ones, as everyday wheels in Minnesota. You're right, pretty gusty here, like today. I only notice a sidewind push when the wind is really whipping and even a bit more on a fast descent. That said, under normal conditions with even a decent breeze, I notice nothing. If you're really worried, I'd stay in the 40-50mm range.

umd

My 46s were a little hairy on a 40+ mph descent with ~20mph crosswinds the other day, but other than that I haven't really had any issues with them.

BHBiker

No issues riding Assaults 46mm wheelsets on windy crits (category 3).

Training rides with HED.3s no worries either. I am heavy at 85kilos so maybe thats why. If you are a lightweight then it may very well be the barricades for you on the next gust.