What wheels should i get ???

mcfc09 said:

Hi, I am looking to buy some new road racing wheels for my focus cayo.
But I don't know which ones to get, I am stuck between zipp 303 and zipp 404 but which one to get I don't know. Also I am looking to get clinchers as they have aliminium braking surface which I am already on so I don't want to spend so much money buying tubs, but one downfall to clinchers is weight the 303 clinchers are 500g heavier than tubs and the 404's 200g.
Which wheels do you suggest and does any one know of good light wheels in the same price range which is £1000-£1500???
One other thing you should know is that im only 13 and will be in the under 16 category next year,
so most of my races will be on crits with no hills in them.

I'm 48 been around cycling racing a real long time and was a master wheel builder in the 80s. My kid races and I spare no expense. Now I'm quite heavy and I use carbon rims - go carbon. For the money Welcome to Nimble. I used a 24 spoke fly on a 200Kg tandem and my sone uses the 16 spoke Fly. That is the wheel to get @ 490gm - front. I would go sew-ups/tubeless (yes Tufos are tubeless). I think the Tufo Jet 160 are great for your size (assumed size). I don't think the clinchers will get you much and at your weight the 200g matters more. You can go better on wheels and tires - but not for the price. We have the Zipp - expensive disc. Go Nimble Fly.

mcfc09 said:

Hi, I am looking to buy some new road racing wheels for my focus cayo.
But I don't know which ones to get, I am stuck between zipp 303 and zipp 404 but which one to get I don't know. Also I am looking to get clinchers as they have aliminium braking surface which I am already on so I don't want to spend so much money buying tubs, but one downfall to clinchers is weight the 303 clinchers are 500g heavier than tubs and the 404's 200g.
Which wheels do you suggest and does any one know of good light wheels in the same price range which is £1000-£1500???
One other thing you should know is that im only 13 and will be in the under 16 category next year,
so most of my races will be on crits with no hills in them.

Another point. If your crits are like the S California crits acceleration is more important than aero. Light weight - particularly moment of inertia (a measure of how easy it spins up - not just weight) is most important. For a given weight, you want the weight toward the centre, not the rim. Again Nimble Fly (and I have no association with them). Also not a clincher. Use about 10 atm pressure for a fast kick. Again the light tyre really matters.

You're 13- there's no real need for expensive wheels or equipment. You need something to get the job done and if you do well and end up riding a juvenille race at the State champs or something similar then rent a 'fancy' set of wheels.

If you are good then your talent will take you further at this level than a fancy set of carbon rims. You'd be better off, if you/your parents have and want to spend the money, getting a power measuring device that will help in both racing and training. Wheels can be bought in an instant - power can't, unless you have a few bottles of EPO laying around the place and the morals of a sewer rat... 😉

If Junior/Juvenille crits are as crazy as I remember them to be, get something that's easily rebuildable but good - something like Velocity Aerohead rims on Ultegra or Dura Ace hubs (unless you have Campag in which case Chorus hubs) and with your weight or probable lack thereof, 28 spokes. Go pay a visit to a good local wheelbuilder in your area.

I would not have given the advice had you not suggested spending what you did.
My opinion is different. This is as a parent not a racer (but been there too). Also from USA - so a bit different perspective.
We kept our daughter in a lower level of football so she could develope. Now she is older and we and she wish we had started her at a higher level and enjoyed winning then as winning at 10-14 can be as much fun as winning at 14+
For our son the cyclist we took a different approch. He is 35Kg now. Wheels and bike make up a higher % of the total weight than they ever will. Also it is easier to win in the USA at this age (10-12) than say 16 plus. I hear Europe 14s is very competitve. We also do not pretend he will make money in this sport, so we invested now - early (and used lots of mom and dad's old equipment). Yes he has a good engine, but the equipment helps.

Round ones.

lol

Zoro said:

I would not have given the advice had you not suggested spending what you did.
My opinion is different. This is as a parent not a racer (but been there too). Also from USA - so a bit different perspective.
We kept our daughter in a lower level of football so she could develope. Now she is older and we and she wish we had started her at a higher level and enjoyed winning then as winning at 10-14 can be as much fun as winning at 14+
For our son the cyclist we took a different approch. He is 35Kg now. Wheels and bike make up a higher % of the total weight than they ever will. Also it is easier to win in the USA at this age (10-12) than say 16 plus. I hear Europe 14s is very competitve. We also do not pretend he will make money in this sport, so we invested now - early (and used lots of mom and dad's old equipment). Yes he has a good engine, but the equipment helps.

Yes, I am quoting myself. I was searching for Peace Race and found this forum. I guess I've been here before.