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700c, 27-Inch & 650c
$1,499.95
If you're a proponent of the new trend of stealth styling for high-end road machines, then you're also likely a fan of carbon and disc-brake wheels because they omit an aluminum rim brake's bright, decidedly un-stealth brake strip. With the HED Ardennes Plus Black, you can enjoy the consistent stopping power of alloy rims without sullying the matte black-on-black finish of your race rig with the silver stripe of alloy shame.
As alluded to above, the most striking feature of the Ardennes Plus Black wheels is the black finish of the brake tracks, which are the result of HED's Turbine Braking Technology. HED claims this design nets some pretty impressive numbers, including stopping distances in dry and wet conditions that are reduced by 25% and 70%, respectively, and brake power consistency that enjoys a claimed 5x increase over non-Black rims. While HED is jealously guarding the details of this process for obvious reasons, we do know that it's the result of a proprietary process of machining and anodizing, and we suspect that the gains are mostly attributable to the former while the latter is just a welcome aesthetic flourish.
Other than those improvements to the brake track, the Ardennes Plus Black is essentially a rebranded version of HED's previous Ardennes Plus king, the FR. The tubeless-ready rim is still a lightweight alloy whose stiffness ensures that the end product can be made with less material — and therefore lower weight — than comparable alloy hoops. It's also got the low spoke count of the previous model, which keeps weight down while taking advantage of the wider rim's increased resistance to torsional and lateral flex.
The Ardennes Plus Black wheels also see a return of HED's Sonic Silver model, only rebranded and — of course — re-colored. They run ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles, 12mm in front and 15mm in the rear. The flanges are spaced as widely as possible to create a stronger bracing angle, resulting in lateral stiffness that any rider approaching HED's suggested weight limit of 225 pounds will appreciate. The front hub has a carbon-fiber tube with aluminum end caps. The rear is aluminum with exaggerated flanges and a grease port, so you can power wash and re-lube the wheels as needed. Both skewers have titanium shafts, and the ratchet ring in the rear hub is also titanium.
Finally, please note that HED suggests using brand new brake pads with these the Ardennes Plus Black rims. The same metal shavings that hide out in used pads and tend to destroy carbon wheels may also damage the Black rims' finish.
C2 Alloy rims
24.5mm rim depth
Turbine Braking Technology
Tubeless-ready
$900.00
HED'S EXTRA-WIDE WORKHORSE.
HED's Ardennes wheel line has become widely popular for its light weight and ultra-wide profile. So, when it came time to update its rim profiles, HED made sure that those changes were applied to its long-time staple, the Plus CL Wheelset. Along with the new 25mm rim width, it features the same higher spoke count that's continually made the Ardennes CL the wheel of choice for both stallions and cyclocross racers alike. So, whether you're looking for a bombproof training wheelset, or just some extra peace of mind, the CL Plus wheelset will do the trick.
The CL Plus forgoes the scandium alloy rim of its SL and FR siblings in favor of an aluminum rim. And while it comes at the expense of a handful of grams, you're still getting the full benefit of HED's new and wider C2 rim shape. Wide rims have become standard for road use over the past few seasons, and HED kicked off that trend by partnering with Continental to create the original C2 rim shape in 2007. The CL Plus takes this trend a step further, by upping the width by two millimeters, to 25mm. The upshot is that you get more of the same traits that are relegating narrow rims to the antique bin -- namely, better grip and faster rolling through an improved tire profile. And these aren't just empty marketing promises. All things being equal, a wider rim puts more of the tire on the road, and that increased contact patch equates to more grip, especially while cornering. Better yet, by widening the tire's base, more of the sidewall is oriented vertically, which means that the tire is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface. In other words, you'll roll through the bad stuff, not over it. And just in case you're looking for the fastest rolling setup around, the CL Plus is compatible with tubeless system, in addition to traditional clincher tires with tubes.
The LT Plus wheelset rolls on HED's Sonic hubs. And while they're similar in execution to the hubs found on the rest of the Ardennes line, they lose the carbon fiber accents in favor of full aluminum hub shells. The rear hub has an external grease port, which means that you're able to pump fresh grease in there without having to disassemble the rear hub. The spokes are stainless items, of which the front wheel has 24, and the rear has 28. This higher spoke count makes these an ideal option for heavier riders or cyclocross use. Accordingly, the rider weight limit is bumped up to 250 pounds. To keep the wheelset in place, HED includes its steel quick-release skewers. The result is a wheelset that weighs just around 1635 grams.
The HED Ardennes Plus CL Clincher Road Wheelset is available with either a Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo freehub compatibility and in the color Black. It's worth noting that both freehub bodies are compatible with 11-speed cassettes, and that these wheels ship with airtight rim tape that makes them compatible with tubeless setups. Please note that HED's suggested rider weight limit for these wheels is 250lb.
Tubeless-ready (comes with rim tape)
Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo compatible freehub
25mm rim width
Stainless steel spokes (24 at front, 28 at rear)
Compatible with 11-speed cassettes
250-pound weight limit
$899.95
That faint cheering you hear is the collective glee of gravel grinders and cyclocross racers from all corners of the earth in reaction to the news of a disc brake compatible Ardennes Plus. The HED Ardennes Plus LT Disc Brake Clincher Wheelset gains a smidgen of weight and drops the price compared to the line-topping SLs because of its standard HED bladed spokes, but it still boasts the same beefy yet lightweight rims for sure-footed handling and speedy spin-up. Whether you're looking for a race-worthy wheelset to tackle a 'cross course or heading out for epic gravel adventures, this wheelset is bound to bump up the fun factor on any ride.
The Ardennes Plus takes HED's C2 rim design even a step further compared to the standard Ardennes profile. Two additional millimeters of width result in an improved tire profile when paired with the wider tires used in 'cross and gravel applications for even better grip and faster rolling. The wider rim puts more of the tire on the ground, and that increased contact patch means more grip, especially while cornering. Better yet, by widening the tire's base, more of the sidewall is oriented vertically, which means the tire is better able to deform around surface irregularities — you'll roll through them, not over them. And just in case you're looking for the fastest rolling setup around, the Plus SL is compatible with tubeless setups in addition to traditional clincher tires with tubes.
HED laces the Plus LT's to its Sonic Disc hub in the front, with wide flanges for impeccable stiffness and resistance to torsional forces. The rear hub is HED's new 545 J-bend hub, featuring five pawls and 45 teeth for lightning-fast engagement to torque over steep inclines and technical terrain. Both hubs are compatible with centerlock rotors, with separately sold adapters available for use with 6-bolt rotors. Tubeless rim tape is included, but thru-axles are sold separately.
Please note that HED recommends a maximum tire pressure of 100 PSI for these rims.
$900.00
Wide rims are here to stay, and if you still aren't sure what all the fuss is about, let us introduce you to the HED Ardennes Plus LT Clincher Road Wheelset. Some things are best left unchanged, and accordingly, the Ardennes LT keeps its aluminum rims and HED Sonic hubs. But change can be a good thing too, which is why HED bumped the width up to 25mm. And that means more of the fast rolling and superior grip that you've come to expect.
Wide rims have become standard for road use over the past few seasons, and HED's C2 rim shape has been at the forefront of this. The Plus LT takes this trend a step further by upping the width of the scandium alloy rim by two millimeters, to 25mm. The upshot is that you get more of the same traits that are relegating narrow rims to the antique bin. Namely, better grip and faster rolling through an improved tire profile. And, you can rest assured that these aren't empty promises. All things being equal, a wider rim puts more of the tire on the road, and that increased contact patch means more grip, especially while cornering. Better yet, by widening the tire's base, more of the sidewall is oriented vertically, and that means that the tire is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface. So, you'll roll through them, not over them. And just in case you're looking for the fastest rolling setup around, the Plus LT is compatible with tubeless setups, in addition to traditional clincher tires with tubes.
The Plus LT wheelset rolls on HED's Sonic hubs, much like its FR and Plus FR brethren. The spokes are stainless items, of which the front wheel has 18 and the rear has 24. And they're bladed to reduce aerodynamic drag. To keep the wheelset in place, HED includes its steel quick-release skewers. The result is a wheelset that weighs just around 1564 grams.
The HED Ardennes Plus LT Clincher Road Wheelset is available with either a Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo freehub compatibility and in the color Black. Please note that rim tape is not included and HED's suggested rider weight limit for these wheels is 225lb.
Wide, aerodynamically-efficient rim
Tubeless-compatible
18/24 spoke count
25mm rim width and depth
$1,199.95
Cyclocross racers and gravel grinders around the world rejoiced when HED released a disc brake compatible version of its venerable Ardennes Plus wheelset. The HED Ardennes Plus SL Disc Brake Clincher Wheelset is the lightest of the Ardennes Plus Disc line and delivers a beefy rim width for those wide cross and gravel tires, combining sure-footed handling and lightning-fast spin up. Whether you're rocking an old-school steel or high-fashion carbon frame, this wheelset adds an unmistakably plush and efficient ride to the adventure.
The Ardennes Plus takes HED's C2 rim design even a step further compared to the standard Ardennes profile. Two additional millimeters of width result in an improved tire profile for even better grip and faster rolling. The wider rim puts more of the tire on the ground, and that increased contact patch means more grip, especially while cornering. Better yet, by widening the tire's base, more of the sidewall is oriented vertically, which means the tire is better able to deform around surface irregularities, so you'll roll through them, not over them. And just in case you're looking for the fastest rolling setup around, the Plus SL is compatible with tubeless setups in addition to traditional clincher tires with tubes.
HED laces the Plus SL's to its Sonic Disc hub in the front, with wide flanges for impeccable stiffness and resistance to torsional forces. The rear hub is HED's new 545 J-bend hub, featuring five pawls and 45 teeth for lightning-fast engagement to torque over steep inclines and technical terrain. HED uses its Lite bladed steel spokes in the Plus SL to provide additional weight savings over the LT and GP versions.
The HED Ardennes Plus SL Disc Brake Clincher Wheelset is compatible with centerlock rotors. It comes with quick-release skewers and tubeless rim tape, but thru-axle conversion kits are available separately. Please note that HED recommends a maximum tire pressure of 100 PSI for these rims.
$1,199.95
The Ardennes SL Disc Brake Tubular Wheelset combines the supple ride of tubs with a rim wide enough for all-terrain use and a braking system designed to maintain consistent response and modulation in the conditions that tend to define 'cross racing. It's also the lightest member of HED's big-rim/disc-brake team, replacing the LT model's standard spokes with HED Lite bladed steel spokes. Despite their relatively low weight, the disc brakes and 23mm rims recommend the Ardennes SL Disc Wheelset for adventures whose scope transcends asphalt. Road, gravel, fire roads, 'cross — with a width like this, the wheelset's only limitations are your legs and imagination.
The wide gluing surface lets tubs sit fat, putting a larger tire patch in contact with the ground, improving rolling efficiency in the straights, increasing cornering confidence and grip, and further supplementing the plush, supple feel of tubular tires. They also provide a more constant surface from tire to rim, creating less turbulence and thereby reducing drag.
The rims are laced to HED's 545 hubs, whose freehub engagement involves five pawls and 45 teeth. Given this naming convention, the previous model of HED hub — with three pawls and 30 teeth — might have been dubbed the 330. Whatever the case, the numbers don't lie; the 545 has almost double the engagement points as its predecessor, which can pay big dividends while clearing obstacles, punching up steep pitches, and accelerating out of corners on cyclocross courses.
$2,100.00
The advantages of deep, carbon rims are evident to anyone who has ever held 20-25 mph on flat, straight roads for an extended period. The disadvantages are equally evident, and they usually manifest as unresponsive, obnoxiously-loud braking or equally poor and obnoxious handling when a sudden crosswind throws you across the road. HED's Jet 4 Plus Black wheels remedy both issues with rim shaping and the newly improved Black braking track.
The most striking feature setting the Jet Black models apart from the regular Jets is the black finish of the brake track, which is the result of HED's Turbine Braking Technology. HED claims this design nets some pretty impressive numbers, including stopping distances in dry and wet conditions that are reduced by 25% and 70%, respectively, and brake power consistency that enjoys a claimed 5x increase.
It's also important to keep in mind that, since the Jets use an aluminum brake track, these are increases over the exceptional braking of alloy rims, not the poor braking of carbon, so the Jet Black models easily enjoy the most consistent stopping power of any aerodynamic wheels in the industry. This better-than-alloy brake track is also, obviously, black. We unashamedly admit that this appeals because it doesn't interrupt the otherwise stealth look of the 46mm carbon rims with a bright, silver brake strip.
HED claims that the carbon fairings mounted to the Black rims loses 50-90 grams of aerodynamic drag compared to a conventional wheelset, which translates to around 25-40 seconds over 40k or five to eight watts per second. Those gains don't come at the expense of handling, though, as the blunted inner edge of the rim manages lateral air flow better than a true NACA airfoil design. The rims response to sudden gusts and side winds is more predictable, so while it's still affected, the handling stays intuitive rather than violent.
The rims' aerodynamic savings are compounded by a reduction in the rolling resistance because of the Jet 4's 25mm wide C2 rims, which increases the tire's volume and contact patch for lower rolling resistance, more grip in corners, and a more vertically-oriented side wall that is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface. You can run a lower PSI for increased comfort without sacrificing efficiency. The tire shape also means the transition air makes from the edge of the tread to the end of the rim is smoother, resulting in still less aerodynamic drag.
The Sonic Black hubs are virtually the same as the previous Sonic models, running ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles with wide flanges for a stiff, lateral bracing angle that any rider approaching HED's suggested weight limit of 225 pounds will appreciate. The rear hub has high flanges and a grease port, so you can power wash and re-lube the wheels as needed. Both quick-release skewers have titanium shafts, and the ratchet ring in the rear hub is also titanium.
Please note that HED suggests using brand new brake pads with the Jet 4 Plus Black wheels. The same metal shavings that hide out in used pads and tend to destroy carbon wheels may also damage the Black rims' finish.
$2,100.00
If you're an advanced enough initiate in your craft to be eyeing 60mm rims, then you probably don't need us to extol the virtues of the magic feeling aerodynamic wheels like HED's Jet 6 Plus Black bestow at speed. You're probably also familiar with the negative qualities of braking that tend to afflict deep carbon rims, and this is where we — or more precisely, the Jet 6 Plus Black wheels — can educate you.
Instead of dodgy, screaming carbon brake tracks, the Jet 6 Black rims feature a specially machined and anodized alloy surface that HED calls Turbine Braking Technology. This surface nets claimed reductions in stopping distance of 25% and 70% in dry and wet conditions, respectively, and a 5x increase in braking consistency. Keeping in mind that this is in comparison to aluminum rims, not carbon, it's safe to assume that the Jet 6 Black wheels provide the most consistent braking in their category. We suspect that HED's unwillingness to divulge the secrets behind those gains might have less to do with the fact that it's jealously-guarded proprietary technology and more to do with the fact that it's some sort of black magic. Maybe.
But you're here primarily for speed, not stopping, and HED also knows that faster speeds require a heightened sense of control that's often at odds with wheels of this depth. HED's Stability Control Technology (SCT), which reduces force put on the wheels by side winds at 0-15 degree yaw angles. This makes the Jet 6's 60mm depth handle with the intuitive predictability of a 30 or 40mm deep wheel with a true NACA airfoil cross section when the wind gets unruly.
The rims' aerodynamic savings are compounded by a reduction in the rolling resistance because of the Jet 6's 25mm wide C2 rims. C2 rims increase the tire's volume and contact patch for lower rolling resistance, more grip in corners, and a more vertically-oriented side wall that is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface — all of which translates to being able to run a lower PSI for increased comfort without sacrificing efficiency. The tire shape also means the transition air makes from the edge of the tread to the end of the rim is smoother, resulting in still less aerodynamic drag.
The Sonic Black hubs are virtually the same as the previous Sonic models, running ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles with wide flanges for a stiff, lateral bracing angle for more efficient power transfer. Both quick-release skewers have titanium shafts, and the ratchet ring in the rear hub is also titanium.
Please note that HED suggests using brand new brake pads with the Jet 6 Plus Black wheels. The same metal shavings that hide out in used pads and tend to destroy carbon wheels may also damage the Black rims' finish.
$2,000.00
At this point in the development of wheel technology, the aerodynamic benefits of HED's Jet 6 Plus Black Carbon Disc Brake Wheelset are collectively taken as an industry truism. Ditto the cross-wind stability granted by the bullet-shaped inner face of the carbon fairing. The disc brake capabilities of these wheels are still something of a novelty on road racing kit, with proponents and detractors pitching their cases on the world's largest cycling stage in Europe. By combining its proven aerodynamic technology with the nascent trend of discs on tarmac, HED helps advance the pro-disc contingent's case that superiority of disc brakes will be the industry's next assumed truth.
We've had the opportunity to ride several models of road disc brakes, and we can understand why HED is keen to make this transition. Discs do away with one of our greatest critiques of carbon rims — the questionable braking — for stopping power that modulates better, grabs with more consistency, and virtually ensures that the Jet 6s will never violently deform because they hit the glass transition temperature as a result of a long, hot descent.
While the new road disc technology may be responsible for stopping a cyclist on these wheels, their strongest selling point is definitely the boost they provide while they're going. Again, the 60mm profile is an aerodynamic truism, but HED also knows that faster speeds require a heightened sense of control that's often at odds with wheels of this depth. HED's Stability Control Technology (SCT), which reduces lateral forces at 0-15 degree yaw angles. This makes the Jet 6's 60mm depth handle unruly wind with the intuitive predictability of a 30 or 40mm deep wheel that has a traditional NACA airfoil cross section.
The rims' aerodynamic savings are compounded by a reduction in the rolling resistance because of the Jet 6's 25mm wide C2 rims. C2 rims increase the tire's volume and contact patch for lower rolling resistance, more grip in corners, and a more vertically-oriented side wall that is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface — all of which translates to being able to run a lower PSI for increased comfort without sacrificing efficiency. The tire shape also means the transition air makes from the edge of the tread to the end of the rim is smoother, resulting in still less aerodynamic drag.
The Sonic Black hubs are virtually the same as the previous Sonic models, running ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles with wide flanges for a stiff, lateral bracing angle for more efficient power transfer. The rear hub has high flanges and a capped grease port, so you can power wash and re-lube the wheels as needed. Both quick-release skewers have titanium shafts, and the ratchet ring in the rear hub is also titanium.
Deep, aerodynamic wheels with durability and solid braking
Disc brakes address the main concern with carbon wheels
Generous internal width for lower PSI and a more efficient ride
Alloy spine reinforces the rim against cobbles and gravel
Carbon fairing extends all the benefits of deep dish rims
HED is one of the original pioneers in aerodynamic wheelsets
$1,599.95
Wheels of the deep-dish — greater than 50mm — variety excel on flat courses, but very often we find ourselves on courses riddled with hills. Now, if they were just long drawn out grades, then any deep-dish would do. But all too often, they are of the brutal switchback variety where drafting is quickly negated. The HED Jet 6 Plus Clincher is a wheelset for the switchbacks. It's a dangerous cliche to say that the Jet 6 is a 'one-quiver' wheel, but that's exactly how HED designed it. It's heavier than a traditional climbing wheelset, but for most moderate hills, it's still more efficient and inherently faster.
Over the past 26 years of engineering wheels, Steve Hed's end goal remains the same: simply make them as fast as possible. So, it's almost a given that HED aerodynamics are superb. However, what you might not know is that these wheels' aerodynamics are equally matched by their low rolling resistance. We have HED's C2 rim concept concept to thank for this. Essentially, C2 is about reduction of the two C's — less Cda (aerodynamic drag) and less Crr (rolling resistance). Accordingly, a 25mm rim width makes this possible, and is mainly responsible for the wider-is-better campaign that's been replicated throughout the market. But, you're certainly wondering, why wider? Well, the width provides what can be described as an 'aero shroud' for the rest of the wheel. This also changes the nature of the tire's contact patch with the road.
However, HED also knows that faster speeds require a heightened sense of control. This becomes evident through HED testing, as it found that rim depths which cross the forty or fifty-millimeter threshold grow increasingly more difficult to handle in crosswinds. So, HED engineered a solution that it calls Stability Control Technology, or SCT. In regards to the wheel shape, at 0-15 degree yaw angles, SCT reduces the force put on the wheels by side winds. This makes the Jet 6's 60mm depth handle more like a 30 or 40mm deep wheel in crosswinds.
HED laces the rims to its Sonic hubs, which feature silky ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles — 12mm in front and 15mm in rear. Oversized axles flex less, resulting in smoother bearing loads and less mechanical drag. And its not only the axle that received a bigger-is-better treatment, as the hub flanges are spaced as wide apart as possible in order to create a stronger bracing angle. And again, this results in increased lateral stiffness.
Easing the maintenance to the rear hub, HED included a grease port and carbon port cap. True, it's a subtle convenience, but rejoice that this capped port ensures that you'll no longer need to rebuild your rear hub after repeated washings.
As we mentioned, the fairing is bonded to the rim, which means that the spokes engage at the rim rather than at the end of the fairing. The result is not only an increase to aerodynamics, as there are no exposed nipples, but also to an increase in lateral strength. However, like all wheels, there are nipples, and for them, HED used Sapim hex-headed aluminum nipples. These are treated with a light thread-locking compound and are accessed from inside the rim. They anchor the venerable Sapim CX-Ray spokes. The 18 front spokes are straight-pull, while the 24 rear spokes are J-bend for both sides.
At the rear, you'll notice a two-cross lacing pattern on both sides. HED did this for a simple reason — with ever-stiffer frames, the force of stomping on the pedals was increasing force on the wheels, which has in turn reduced mechanical efficiency. To counteract these forces, HED stiffened up the rear wheel so that no power would be lost to wheel flexing, thus putting more power into driving the bike forward.
The HED Jet 6 Clincher Wheelset is available with either a Campagnolo or Shimano compatible freehub body. Please note that both freehub bodies accept 11-speed cassettes, and that they're easily swapped out with two 5mm hex keys. The wheels come with HED steel-shafted skewers, valve extenders, and rim strips. Also worth mention is that HED does NOT recommend these wheels for riders exceeding 190lbs.
$2,100.00
HED's Jet 9 Plus Black Carbon Disc Brake Wheelset goes straight to the extreme of road braking, upstaging questionable carbon braking, alloy rim braking, and even the vastly improved Jet Black brake track with the superior stopping power of disc brakes. Disc brakes also virtually ensure that carbon wheels will never violently deform after reaching the glass transition temperature as a result of constant braking on long, hot descents.
HED also knows that anyone interested in 90mm rims is looking primarily for faster speeds, not faster stopping, and HED's Stability Control Technology (SCT) ensures that the increased aerodynamics don't come with handling that throws you around in crosswinds. SCT involves rounding the rim's spoke face and sidewall profile to reduce force put on the wheels by side winds at 0-15 degree yaw angles. While 90mm rims will obviously never handle crosswinds like box clinchers, the rounded inner face of SCT design does give the deep dish monsters more intuitive predictability than wheels with a true NACA airfoil cross section.
The Jet 9s also feature HED's signature 25mm C2 rim width, which increases tire volume and contact patch for lower rolling resistance, more grip in corners, and a more vertically-oriented tire sidewall that is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface — all of which translates to being able to run a lower PSI for increased comfort without sacrificing efficiency.
The wheels are finished with HED's own Sonic Black hubs, which run ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles with wide flanges for a stiff, lateral bracing angle and more efficient power transfer. The rear hub has high flanges and a capped grease port, so you can power wash and re-lube the wheels as needed. Both quick-release skewers have titanium shafts, and the ratchet ring in the rear hub is also titanium.
Please also note that HED recommends a maximum tire pressure of 100PSI.
$2,100.00
HED's Jet 9 Plus Black Carbon Wheelset is the same wheelset Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies' Zirbel rode to victory at the North Star Grand Prix except for two differences: stopping power is improved with HED's Turbine Braking Technology and the graphics are murdered-out for a stealth look. While aesthetics are subjective, the improved braking means that these wheels are actually better than those ridden by a multiple national time trial champion with one of the biggest engines in the domestic scene.
Instead of dodgy, screaming carbon brake tracks or the standard alloy on Zirbel's set, the Jet 9 Black rims feature the specially machined and anodized alloy surface mentioned above. This surface nets claimed reductions in stopping distance of 25% and 70% in dry and wet conditions, respectively, and a 5x increase in braking consistency. Keeping in mind that this is in comparison to aluminum rims, not carbon, it's safe to assume that the Jet 9 Black wheels provide the most consistent braking in their category.
But like Zirbel, you're interested in the Jet 9 wheels primarily for speed, not stopping, and HED also knows that faster speeds require a heightened sense of control that's often at odds with wheels of this depth. That's where HED's Stability Control Technology (SCT) comes in by reducing force put on the wheels by side winds at 0-15 degree yaw angles. While 90mm rims will obviously never handle crosswinds like box clinchers, the rounded inner face of SCT design does give the deep dish monsters more intuitive predictability than wheels with a true NACA airfoil cross section.
The Jet 9s also feature HED's signature 25mm C2 rim width, which increases tire volume and contact patch for lower rolling resistance, more grip in corners, and a more vertically-oriented sidewall that is better able to deform around irregularities in the road surface — all of which translates to being able to run a lower PSI for increased comfort without sacrificing efficiency.
The wheels also feature the Sonic Black, which run ABEC5 bearings on oversized axles with wide flanges for a stiff, lateral bracing angle and more efficient power transfer. The rear hub has high flanges and a capped grease port, so you can power wash and re-lube the wheels as needed. Both quick-release skewers have titanium shafts, and the ratchet ring in the rear hub is also titanium.
Please note that HED suggests using fresh brake pads with the Jet 9 Plus Black wheels. The same metal shavings that hide out in used pads and tend to destroy carbon wheels may also damage the Black rims' finish. Please also note that HED recommends a maximum tire pressure of 100 PSI.
$1,400.00
As with most things wheel-related, HED proved itself an (extremely) early adapter when its late founder launched a disc wheel almost three decades ago. HED being HED, since that first unveiling, the Minnesota-based manufacturer has been constantly tinkering with and updating the profile, structure, hub, brake track and every other aspect of the wheel. The Jet Plus Carbon Disc Wheel is the latest iteration, bringing the increased stability, comfort, and rolling speed of an expanded rim width to a wheel that HED calls "the epitome of speed."
The secret to the Plus build's ride quality lies in the expanded tire volume afforded by a the wider, 25mm rim. Since the tire's bead sits fatter, the tire itself follows suit, which serves to make a plusher ride with less PSI required while reducing rolling resistance by putting a healthier patch of tire on the tarmac. It also straightens the sidewalls, which means you'll also have more tire contact while cornering, a benefit that goes some way toward addressing the handling issues associated with disc wheels and TT bikes. The tire also sits more flush with the rim, creating an unbroken plane that better manages air flow across the tire/wheel transition, improving yet further on the aerodynamic benefits of a disc wheel.
As with every other Jet model, the Jet Disc Plus is built with a carbon fairing sandwiching 24 14-guage spokes and attached to an alloy spine. The benefits of this construction are immediately obvious to anyone who has experienced dodging carbon brake tracks when the pace is interrupted by a crash in the group or the advent of a sudden obstacle. The Jet Disc Plus' aluminum brake track grabs with more confidence and provides better modulation. It also doesn't scream under hard braking like its carbon counterpart, which both you and anyone in the vicinity will appreciate on pre-work training rides on an otherwise silent, peaceful morning.
The one drawback to this construction model is weight, but since disc wheels typically prove most useful in long, flat events, the aluminum spine's slight addition of weight won't hinder a time trialist or triathlete up a climb. In fact, once the wheel is spun up, its slightly higher weight means that it's got more inertia, so it actually helps you maintain cruising speed by carrying extra momentum through its rotation.
In terms of aerodynamics, the Jet Disc Plus obviously crushes the standard 32-spoke wheel and bests every deep section wheel out there. HED's research has found that the wheel does best at yaw angles in excess of five degrees, with the sweet spot ranging from 15-20 degrees. To quantify its speed, HED claims that the wheel has 25g of drag at 15-degrees of yaw when riding at 40kph. That's 195g less drag than a conventional wheel ? an estimated 18w savings for every second you're riding.
For the Jet Disc Plus, the skewer graduates from the non-plus model's steel to a lighter titanium. HED also includes rim tape, the omission of which was a strange oversight on the previous generation. A valve extender is included and, given the rim's width, HED recommends using that extender to inflate tires that are 22mm or wider, but we see no reason to not take advantage of the comfort of riding 23 or 25mm tires. HED also recommends a max tire pressure of 100PSI.
$999.99 - $1,239.99
27.5+ is here to stay, and we’re here to dominate it.
With new bikes, new wheel sizes, and new options, every rider can have the perfect ride around their local terrain. More and more people are seeing the benefits of larger tires, and plus-size (3-inch) tires are finding a niche between fat bikes and skinny 2 - 2.5” mountain bike tires.
Since we can’t seem to do anything half way, we wanted to bring out the widest, lightest, and most durable all-carbon rim for your 27.5+ rig – the Raptor.
With a width of 45 millimeters, and an astounding rim weight of 430 grams, the Raptor will shock you with its speed. No longer must your plus-sized bike be heavy, slow, and lumbering – let the Raptor inject some True Speed into your trail ride.
BUILD OPTIONS:
We offer built wheels in four hand builds: 1) Hed Brickhouse hubs for retrofitting existing fat bikes - $2,100/pr. 2 & 3) Onyx and I9 boost hubs are also available as stock builds. Onyx - $2,280, I9 $2,225. 4) Send existing hubs for complete build is the fourth option - $1650.
Black Pillar PSR1420 spokes and alloy nipples complete the build.
Tech Notes
1. Do NOT use tire levers on Raptor carbon rims!!!
2. For all types of bicycle wheels, a hard strike on the rim is likely to result in rim damage. At the point of impact, an aluminum rim will dent, and a carbon rim may delaminate. With any such damage to a Hed wheel, our lifetime crash replacement policy enables the original owner to repair or replace the wheel at substantial savings.
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