http://road.cc/content/news/115617-swiss-side-hadron-625-wheels-available-pre-order
Just over $1000 USD for an alu braking aero wheelset that rivals an 808 at just over 1600g?
Legit claims… or wind tunnel marketing hype? Hmm…
Looks promising, and Swiss too 
I’m going to Switzerland in August to catch up with family and friends (I’ve moved to Australia two years ago), will have to enquire about these.
Does anybody have any comments regarding the aero data for the Hadron? Swiss side is claiming comparable aerodynamics to the 808 with a 62.5 mm deep wheel, and that is what their data suggests. Does the design of their aero study hold up?
I didn’t see any information about tires(so I asked), but it appears they are doing what Boyd and November did, where they started their company selling wheels from generic components and then developed their own project from the ground up after a couple of years.
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Well, I’ve got to say, their stuff looks pretty thorough. They used the same conti gp4000s in 23mm on all wheels.
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If their aero data holds up to scrutiny, then these are wheels that I would definitely consider. I prefer an alloy braking surface to carbon for safety and convenience when switching between training and race wheels. I also like wheels around 60 mm deep since they can be as fast as deeper wheels except at very high yaw angles which is often when deeper wheels can be harder to handle, and because you do not need to futz with valve extenders if you bring butyl tubes with 80 mm stems in your flat kit.
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Along with a disc wheel cover for some extra ‘free speed’, you would have it all. Thanks for the link.
SteveMc
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Which wheel do you think the Big Brand 60 mm is? My guess would be the Hed Jet 6. In looking at the description of the aero studies conducted, the results seem valid. Is this your opinion as well?
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I would have put money on the Hed Jet 6 as well, but there really is no independent data due to these things being prototypes as of now. Their credentials do seem good it must be said, and even though buying them now is an act of faith, their cost is ‘absorbable’ in the grand scheme of triathlon related purchases…
SteveMc
I am surprised that this thread has not had more attention given STs obsession with aerodynamics. It would be nice to have some of the ST aero gurus look at the Swiss Side aero study and provide their opinion.
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I would just say that if big brand is Zipp, then the delta at 5 deg yaw between the 404 and 808 is nothing like Zipp’s own data.
Same if big brand is HED.
They show ~50g drag difference between Big Brand 60 and 80mm wheels at 5 deg yaw which isnt’ really consistent with any modern shape wheel I know of.
I don’t know why that would be.
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I was hoping you would chime in. I noticed the discrepancies in the drag charts as well, however, that does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with Swiss Side’s aero study. Is there any chance that the difference in wind tunnel speed used by Swiss Side (45 kph) versus Zipp and Hed (50 kph) could have something to do with this? The Big Brand 80 mm wheel is stated on Swiss Side’s website as being a Zipp 808. I don’t believe that the the Big Brand 60 mm wheel was identified. I would guess that it is a Hed Jet 6 and not a Zipp 404, but then again it could be an entirely different wheel company that is of greater significant in Europe than in North America.
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Unlikely that the different tunnel speed would matter.
If big brand 60 is a different wheel brand it would be interesting to know which one.
I was hoping you would chime in. I noticed the discrepancies in the drag charts as well, however, that does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with Swiss Side’s aero study. Is there any chance that the difference in wind tunnel speed used by Swiss Side (45 kph) versus Zipp and Hed (50 kph) could have something to do with this? The Big Brand 80 mm wheel is stated on Swiss Side’s website as being a Zipp 808. I don’t believe that the the Big Brand 60 mm wheel was identified. I would guess that it is a Hed Jet 6 and not a Zipp 404, but then again it could be an entirely different wheel company that is of greater significant in Europe than in North America.
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Swiss Side seems to have conducted a fair aero comparison. Nothing fishy is apparent. All wheels used Continental GP4000s which are recommended by Zipp, Hed, Flo, etc. As always an impartial third party test comparing different wheels would be awesome.
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if your trigger finger is fast enough you can freeze this vid (@0:07ish) and confirm at least one of the competitor models.
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Nothing fishy is apparent.
The delta between the medium depth and deep depth “Big Brand” wheels is a little fishy, imho. Or at least, interesting.
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These are probably two different brands which could explain the big difference - although if the 60 mm depth wheel is a HED, the drag curve looks nothing like the one provided on the HED website for a Jet 6.
That’s the Zipp 808 which was stated elsewhere on the Swiss Side website as being the reference wheel.
if your trigger finger is fast enough you can freeze this vid (@0:07ish) and confirm at least one of the competitor models.
The delta between the medium depth and deep depth “Big Brand” wheels is a little fishy, imho.
I’d guess it’s a wheel that isn’t designed to be very aero… like maybe an old Mavic?
I like that they have a lot of info on their site… seem pretty smart and comprehensive. Reminds me of Flo.
Also check out the expected delivery date. 2.5 month wait. This is a prototype.
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