Hed Designs C2 Ardennes

Price Paid:  $995.00 at Bike Tech, Miami

Favorite Ride:
Lopinot

Bike Setup:
Cervelo S2
SRAM Red Gruppo
HED Ardennes wheel set
Zeus III Handlebars & Stem
Selle Italia Max Flite Seat

Summary:
The HED Ardennes live up to the great review on Cycling News. The main thing that you notice is the difference in cornering. Its hard to tell any difference in the rolling resistance.

Strengths:
Light
Great cornering
Unfussy - look great
Easy to replace spokes

Weaknesses:
Probably not best wheel for rough roads

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Krysium Elite

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at CycleMania

Favorite Ride:
Lake Como

Bike Setup:
TIME VXR with DuraAce

Summary:
Flammme Rouge edition with ceramic bearings. Purchased these wheels because I wanted an aero aluminum wheelset. Wider rim feels great. Confidence inspiring in rough roads. Bearings not so good.

Strengths:
Light
Reasonably stiff

Weaknesses:
Front wheel ceramic bearings seized up at 2000 miles.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyrium ES
Mavic R-Sys
Reynold DV 46

Price Paid:  $1050.00 at racewheelrental.com

Favorite Ride:
Tunitas loop

Bike Setup:
Jamis Xenith SL with Dura Ace 7800
Speedplay pedals
Ritchey bar/stem
Thompson post
Sella San Marco saddle
Wipperman chain
Schwable Stelvio tires

Summary:
Hed Ardennes are a "low tech" yet "high tech" set of wheels. If you are looking for one set of "do all" wheels these are for you and in my opinion they replace the former "do all" King the Mavic Ksyrium, long live the new King. I rented them first and liked them so much I bought them.

Strengths:
Light wieght
Stiff
Smooth bearings (no need for ceramic bearing upgrade)
Fast to get up to speed
Reliable braking in all conditions
Amazing cornering
No issues with side winds

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyrium
Mavic Cosmic Carobnes
Reynolds Stratus DV's

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at NOW

Favorite Ride:
St. Paul to Afton

Bike Setup:
Yes it is set up

Summary:
Holy crap - Taking fluids on downhills that before the C2's had me gripping the bar. I love these wheels!
Decals and stickers? They sing when you spin up who cares about decals

Strengths:
Freakishly stable
If I hung my bike after todays ride they'd still be spinning

Weaknesses:
my stinger 60's are going to get jelous

Similar Products Used:
stingers
shimano ####

Price Paid:  $995.00 at Glory Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge Pkwy

Bike Setup:
Ridley Excalibur, SRAM Force, Thompson seatpost, FSA bars & stem, Fizik Aliante saddle.

Summary:
All the other reviewers have nailed it. These wheels don't ride like tubulars, BUT they don't ride like clinchers either. Far more comfortable than any other clincher I've used, and far more confidence inspiring.

Getting your tire pressure right seems to be the key. It's easy to go too high and ruin the best aspects of these wheels. But once you get your preferred pressure dialed in, these wheels corner beautifully and will give you all-day comfort. Even on a stiff carbon bike, a 75-85 mile ride is a breeze.

I'm 5'9" and about 175lbs, and even under my fat a$$, these wheels are stiff and durable. I've got at least 4000 miles on them and they've never even hinted at needing to be trued up. There's zero wind up under accelleration, but then, I'm no powerhouse either...

All around, these wheels exceeded my every expectation. And at the price, I can't think of another wheelset that comes close.

Strengths:
Comfort, cornering, durability, understated appearance

Weaknesses:
No "flashy" design elements, straight-pull spokes (front and non-drive side rear) are a little harder to find *IF* they ever break

Similar Products Used:
Rolf Vector, Ksyrium SL3, handbuilt tubulars

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