In Part 1 of our Wheel Overview, we looked at the Mavic Open Pro PowerTap wheel that is available from CycleOps Power and the PowerTap wheels available from Zipp Speed Weaponry. In Part 2 of this series, we introduced our wheel partners American Classic and Mavic. In Part 3, we will highlight our last two wheel partners, Hed and Bontrager. As always, you can get more information on all of our wheel partners at their websites:
American Classic: amclassic.com
Bontrager: bontrager.com
Mavic: mavic.com
Hed: hedcycling.com
Zipp: zipp.com
Since 1985, Hed has been designing and building high-end, aerodynamic wheelsets. Owner Steve Hed is credited with designing the first ever aero wheel and is considered one of the leading aerodynamics experts in the sport of cycling today. Over the past two decades, Hed has led the industry in applying the principles of the aerodynamics and the wind tunnel to its entire line of aero products.
Hedcycling.com states, “Aerodynamics is the study of how a solid body moves through the air. So when we relate that definition to the sport of cycling, it's about how a rider and machine overcome air resistance created by forward motion and the prevailing wind. At HED, we design and manufacture wheels and associated products that reduce this resistance. The lower the resistance, the faster you go.”
Hed Cycling has also led the industry in their carbon fiber expertise. Carbon fiber has the best strength to weight ratio of any material used to make aerodynamic wheels. Carbon can also be molded into many shapes and structures. Its versatility, strength, and lightweight properties allow Hed tremendous design freedom. Every Hed wheel is handmade in the USA.
Hed offers several wheel builds with a PowerTap. The models Ardennes, Bastogne, Kermesse, Jet 4, Jet 6, Jet 9, Stinger 6, Stinger 9, Scorpio, and their Jet Disc (tubular or clincher) are all available with a PowerTap SLC+, SL+ or the Pro+. All models are available only as pre-built wheels.
The Hed Ardennes C2 road wheelset is more “traditional” than Hed’s aero, carbon offerings. The rims are 24mm deep, made with scandium/alloy and have black, bladed stainless steel spokes. They are compatible with clincher tires. What sets the Ardennes apart from other road wheels? The rims are 23mm wide as opposed to the standard 19mm. The tire’s sidewalls therefore are fairly straight, and the width of the rim spreads out the contact surface of the tire. The Ardennes can then be run with a lower tire pressure, offering the best features of running a tubular tire, but with the ease of use and convenience of a clincher. Cyclingnews.com’s review of the Ardennes concludes they “offer a much-improved ride quality, a smoother feel overall and vastly improved grip.”
The Hed Bastogne C2 and Kermesse C2 models also offer the benefits of the wider, 23mm rim but are built with alloy. The rims are also 24mm deep, and just slightly heavier than the Ardennes. The Ardennes, Bastogne, and Kermesse wheelsets are great options for everyday riding. Their lower profile isn’t necessarily as aerodynamic as the deeper rimmed carbon wheels that Hed offers, but they are still lightweight and stiff.
The Hed Jet series offers three carbon models. The primary difference among the three is their rim depth. The Hed Jet 4’s are all condition wheels. They are seriously fast carbon wheels, and the 45mm rim depth is a great option for riders who don’t want to commit to a full-on 60mm or more aero set. Their lower profile will also keep lighter weight riders from being blown around easily. The Hed Jet 6’s have a 60mm aero section. According to Hedcycling.com, “it takes a strong crosswind to stall them out.” Light enough for efficient climbing, this wheelset is an appropriate option for riders looking to get an aerodynamic wheelset, but still wanting to be able to race their wheels on a windy day. The Hed Jet 9’s have a 90mm aero section. The Jet 9 is an excellent race wheel. Deep section wheels are fast because they streamline the airflow as it passes over the wheel surface. The Jet 9 wheelset is a good choice for riding 25mph or faster in light and medium wind conditions. Riders riding slower than 25mph should reserve this wheelset for days when the wind is light.
The 2009 Hed Stinger series offers a more aero tire-to-rim interface when compared to the Jet series. Paired with a PowerTap, each Stinger model provides a smooth and aerodynamic ride, designed to reduce resistance. The 2009 Hed Stinger 6 had a substantial redesign from its 2008 predecessor. The new shape is such an improvement that the 60mm deep Stinger 6 handles more like a 45mm deep wheel in a crosswind. The Stinger 6 is the wheel of choice for many Pro Tour riders. The Hed Stinger 9 is the 90mm rim depth version. Where might you see the Stinger 9 wheel in action? Last year Stinger 9's were used on the professional level to win Ironman races, criteriums, and road races. As a testament to their durability they were even used in the cobbled classics of Paris Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders without a single failure.
Hed designed its Scorpio wheel to be optimal for climbing. However, in the process, Hed created a wheel that is also stiff enough for full-on field sprints, and aerodynamic enough for motoring over flat roads. Because it comes as a tubular, it is best suited as an all-around race wheel for criteriums and road races of varying course profiles.
Hed’s roots lie in the Hed Disc wheel. Hed Jet Discs are a hybrid wheel, built with spokes for strength and durability. When the base wheel is finished, disc sides are bonded to the hub rim and spokes. With the Hed Jet Disc wheel with PowerTap, cyclists get the all the benefits of a completely aero disc wheel for time-trialing or triathlons. It’s available as a tubular or clincher model.
For pricing information and more details on all of Hed’s wheels, visit their website at hedcycling.com.
Keith Bontrager has been designing bicycle components, wheels, frames and more since the day he built his first frame in 1980. When Trek acquired Bontrager in 1995, the innovation and ingenuity did not stop. Bontrager introduced a full line of road wheels to the market in 2002. Since then, they have developed many options for cyclists that range from “traditional” alloy rims to ultra-lightweight, deep profile carbon aero wheels.
The PowerTap 2.4+ is available in the Race X Lite Aero rim, the Aeolus 5.0 rim and the Aeolus 6.5 rim. Bontrager uses a proprietary 16-hole PowerTap hub shell for its wheels. The Bontrager PowerTap hub is unique in that it uses paired-spoke technology. Paired-spoke wheels have two spokes attached to the rim directly across from each other to balance out the forces that are placed on a wheel during motion. With paired spokes, a wheel can use less spokes without sacrificing strength. Less spokes means lower weight and better overall aerodynamics.
The Bontrager Race X Lite rim is a standard profile alloy rim that uses Bontrager’s paired-spoke technology. The Race X Lite’s ideal uses include road riding and racing cyclocross with PowerTap.
The Bontrager Aeolus carbon aero wheels are an option for those who want the benefits of a deeper profile rim. Aeolus wheels are designed in collaboration with aero-guru Steve Hed and manufactured with Trek’s patented OCLV carbon fiber. OCLV (Optimum Compaction, Low Void) is a proprietary carbon fiber manufacturing process that yields one of the strongest, lightest carbon fiber materials on the market.
Aeolus wheels are the ultimate choice for anyone who wants to maximize their advantage in triathlon, time trial and road racing events where aerodynamics is crucial to success. The Aeolus 5.0 with PowerTap has a 50mm rim depth and the 6.5 boasts an impressive 65mm rim depth. Both Aeolus models are available in clincher and tubular options.
To learn more about Bontrager, visit their website at bontrager.com.