Disk wheel covers
#2
#5
Thread Starter
I bike in the nude
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Mobile,Alabama
Bikes: Custom. '02 trek 1000 with ultegra and dura ace components. Too much to list... Just ask me
I was curious how well they helped aerodynamically. I have only seen one or two in person and i don't know too much about them. I've asked around locally and gotten mixed opinions. Some think they are pointless and just extra weight but others think they do help.
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
I have one for my poor-man's TT/tri bike. They add a bit of weight but I don't think my Open Pro/wheelcover combination is significantly heavier than a true disc wheel. I thought there was data out there showing that they're just as aerodynamic as a true disc. Of course, most of those analyses show that the true bang for the buck is an aero helmet and tri bars.
#7
#8
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: slo, ca
Bikes: Bianchi Pista, Schwinn Varsity (fixed), Mongoose Dirt Jumper.
"Note: The covers are not currently compatible with track, tandem, or front wheels."
Was bummed when I saw that.
#11
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
#14
Mmm cats

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: Fuji Track Pro, Cinelli Strato Faster, Superb Sprint, Fuji Cross RC
If you don't think a disc and bars help out, you've obviously never ridden one.
I dropped over 50 seconds with bars + Disc + Trispoke on a 10 mile TT, still completely undialed in (as in my aero position was pretty ****ty), even after not training as hard (Season ended before I could bust out the big guns), versus track drops and 32 spoke Deep V's.
My Zipp 900 weighs less than my Mavic Aksium Equipe spoked wheel, but then again, it's a very expensive disc.
What's worth noting is Zipp's construction technique of the disc has not changed much in the last 20 years. The hub and rim edge are better but it's still a sandwich foam core carbon wheel.
The newer lenticular wheels from zipp (and HED as well) are actually spoked wheels with a very light cover on them, which is why they are not track compatible, as they're not very stiff (They're more marketed towards triathletes/pro skinny TT racers).
I dropped over 50 seconds with bars + Disc + Trispoke on a 10 mile TT, still completely undialed in (as in my aero position was pretty ****ty), even after not training as hard (Season ended before I could bust out the big guns), versus track drops and 32 spoke Deep V's.
My Zipp 900 weighs less than my Mavic Aksium Equipe spoked wheel, but then again, it's a very expensive disc.
What's worth noting is Zipp's construction technique of the disc has not changed much in the last 20 years. The hub and rim edge are better but it's still a sandwich foam core carbon wheel.
The newer lenticular wheels from zipp (and HED as well) are actually spoked wheels with a very light cover on them, which is why they are not track compatible, as they're not very stiff (They're more marketed towards triathletes/pro skinny TT racers).






