Dannydyn

I hope I’m not embarrassing myself here with this question. I’m not sure it has been asked here before, I would search for it, but don’t even know the right terminology, so please bear with a newb question:

I was wondering if one could buy the 'semi-aero' LOOK without dropping major $$$…. Something like the Zipp 404 series below. I love the look they give out, but don’t have the funds, nor seasonality that would warrant a full blown wheel swap. I’m just looking to see if it would be possible to get aero pieces without buying a set of new wheels. or are they generally sold as a one-piece as part of the rim?



Thank you in advance

Dagamon

Found these on Ebay

Dannydyn

lol

531Aussie

Some deep rims are essentially what you've described: a regular wheel (spoke nipples seated in the aluminium) with a 'carbon' (Mavic call theirs 'thermoplastic', which I think is partly firbreglass) cover glued to the rim. The cover is usually called a fairing, and is only there for aero purposes.....and looks . This pic of a busted cover on a Mavic Cosmic Carbone clearly shows what they are.

Wheels made this was have lost popularity, because they're considered 'heavy', which I think is ridiculous. The up-side of this is that they've dropped a lot in price. Compared to full-carbon wheels that are 2, 3 or 4 times the price, these wheels still do very wheel on aero test.

Off the top of my head, I can only think of Mavic and Hed who make wheels this way

As far as getting separate parts to stick on yourself, I've never heard of that; only the full-disc covers

caloso

There is this, which is basically two disc shaped pieces of plastic which cover the spokes and turn your back wheel into a disc. But something that makes your Open Pros look like Zipp 404s? I have never seen anything like that.

531Aussie

Older Cosmic Carbones can be bought for good prices these days.

carpediemracing 

Not an idiotic question. JDisc used to make exactly what you're talking about about 20 years ago except it was permanent. It consisted of some kind of a V-shaped piece that went around the "top" of the rim and then a mylar/fabric ring spanning the distance between the rim and the V-shaped piece.

In your sample picture the V channel would be sitting at the bottom of the letters (ZIPP) and the mylar would go between the channel and the rim.

The Coors Light Cycling Team used the partial covers in the Tour du Pont time trials with the full disks in the rear. I can't find any pictures online but it was the year Stephen Swart and Dave McMann were well up there on the overall, Phinney (Davis) was the sprinter. They were either just on or just about to get on Specialized TriSpokes (aka HED3).

There are some Masters in the NE area that use basically the same construction disk wheels. I think they were using real JDiscs for a while and then they ran out of them. Now they appear homemade, basically just covered lightweight box section tubular wheels. They don't use a front like the one you're describing though.

If you think you'll attempt such a thing then a slightly taller aluminum rim would be a good base. The taller rim means more material to stick your cover material to without affecting the braking surface. The V-channel was some kind of soft material, like a firm plastic that could deform a bit. There were cut outs for the spokes in the plastic sheeting/mylar, a la Mavic Cosmics or HED Jets (i.e. any faired spoke wheel).

Dannydyn

Thank you all for your replies.... much appreciated.

GiantOCRC3

My Planet X wheels are made exactly like this as well, and a whole lot cheaper than Mavics. ($499/ set)

531Aussie

^^ thanks. I didn't know Planet X made some

Seattle Forrest

Do you take the covers off when you need to true the wheel? I assume they're not permanent.

I was surprised just how much a cross wind started to affect me when I switched from box section rims to 38 mm semi-aero ones.

Bob Dopolina 

These are actually useful for transporting your bike or wheels. They also protect your hi-zoot tubulars from UV damage or from picking up debris.

We may make our own versions of these.

531Aussie

I assume access to the spoke nipples would be the same as the old Cosmics, which is through the rim hole. It's a little bit of a drag, coz the tyre, tube and rim tape have to be taking off to adjust a spoke. Plus ya've gotta get the proper socket tool

GiantOCRC3

I was told the same for the Planet X clinchers.

GiantOCRC3

PS, have about 650 miles on mine since getting them at Christmas. They are much stiffer than the Xerolites they replaced and seem to be more aerodynamic. I have the 50mm version and wind doesn't make too much of a difference for normal road riding. Only strong crosswinds make a measurable difference against the Xeros.

I keep a chart of every ride with speed/ time/ average/ top speed/ and mileage. Comparing Dec 2012 to Jan 2013 I went up .5 MPH on average. I put on the Planet Xs at the end of December. Not a huge difference by any means.

caloso

It's even more annoying for carbon tubulars because it means tearing off the tire having to reglue.

Bob Dopolina 

...which in no way could be attributed to gains in fitness...

531Aussie

Nice. What model have you got?

GiantOCRC3

The 50mm carbon clinchers with 23mm Conti tires. So far they seem pretty damn solid for the price. They look great as well.

Bob, of course there are numerous variables to consider.