I currently have a pair of Altair 80 carbon clinchers and they weigh 1950 grams. Would getting a pair of 50mm carbon clinchers and dropping 250-300 grams make a big difference? I know that the handling would be better with a shallower wheel but would weight trump aero?
I’d be worried how well they’d handle in windy conditions. Depending on the course, Draft-Legal races are generally like crits. I’d be looking at a Zipp 404 (or 303 if you’re smaller). Perfect all-round wheel.
That’s what I use
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My only thing is if I were to go shallower I would have to trade or find a pair for $1000. So zipps would be off the table. What would be the next best? I do have trouble handling them now.
No, dropping 250 to 300 grams will not make a big difference. 50mm is usually shallow enough for most people to not be bothered by the wind.
I currently have a pair of Altair 80 carbon clinchers and they weigh 1950 grams. Would getting a pair of 50mm carbon clinchers and dropping 250-300 grams make a big difference? I know that the handling would be better with a shallower wheel but would weight trump aero?
The drop in weight will not make enough difference to justify the swap. And in a draft legal race it will mean even less. Stick with what you have. I do about 20,crits a year and race on an older set of 808s
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I wouldn’t worry too much about handling in crosswinds since its’ a road bike. In a crosswind, you won’t be in a large pack anyway, you should be riding in a echelon formation and will likely be strung out since you lose much of the draft with crosswinds… and it’s a opportune time for small groups of 2 or 3 riders to attack and break away. Crosswinds neutralize large groups and mean that having aero wheels will be more of an advantage.
Also, heavier wheels, are also more stable.
For heavy winds, a compromise might be getting a 404, just for the front wheel now and save up for a 808 for the rear in the future. Probably still more aero than your front wheel now, lighter, and the newer Firecrest shape is supposed to be less susceptible to crosswinds, with a 808FC being supposedly nearly as stable or moreso than an older 404.
I ride 808s in draft legal tris. Never had a problem with handling. The thing to realize about draft legal tris versus a crit is that you’re probably going to be well into the red zone for the first half of the first lap while everybody is getting into their shoes and things are shaking out after the swim. That 3 or 4 minutes is the hardest I’ve ever ridden a bicycle, especially if I come out towards the back of a group on the swim