Hed Designs Jet 2000

Price Paid:  $0.00 at HED/White Bear Lake,

Favorite Ride:
anything steep

Summary:
I travel frequently on business to MN and so was able to buy my pair of Jet 60s directly from the factory as seconds. The units have a fairly standard alumi rim to which a carbon fairing is bonded. This is the same as the Mavic Carbones except the Mavic's fairing is not real carbon fiber as are the Jets. Comparing to the Carbones or Zipps, you will notice a difference of finish particularly with the hubs but this is easlily overlooked when you consider the great price point and real carbon factor. Once you get up to hi RPM on the asphalt you will soon notice the increase in speed these hoops give you. When the new Speedaces are released they may be more attractive than the Jet line so if you are on the fence about what to buy, perhaps wait a few months.

Strengths:
Solid straightfoward build with standard rim-anchored spokes. Deep carbon rim ensures maximum asphalt velocity. Great staff and support at HED.

Weaknesses:
Sonic hubs are POS. At speed, no problems but at low velocities the stiction is very noticable. Water seeps in through the spoke holes in heavy rain and fills up the fairing but who would ride these in the rain anyway? Graphics not the most awe-inspiring.

Similar Products Used:
Carbones
404s

Price Paid:  $660.00 at HED directly

Favorite Ride:
anything long

Bike Setup:
Campy Record one one bike, Campy triple on another

Summary:
nice aero wheels, good weight in comparison to other aero wheelsets. Some bad quality problems if you get a bad set.
Out of the box the wheels were a basket case -- not very centered nor round. I corrected this myself.
Next while riding the rear wheel went drastically out of true - found out a spoke hole was missing a grommet and the spoke pulled out.
And, the front wheel felt like it had the brakes on all the time. The alloy endcaps were pressed in and the radius was too much and basically didn't allow the bearings to spin.
Not sure if I would buy another HED product after this. Wheels are okay and get the job done at a good price.

Strengths:
light outer wheel for easy acceleration
Great Bearings (not fantastic)
Campy compatible
Bearing are smooth but not as fast or good as Mavic sealed bearings.

Weaknesses:
Quality - rear sun rim had a grommet missing and the spoke pulled out (where's the quality check?). Front hub had endcaps too tight and wheel would not spin (quality check?).
Hubs are kinda cheaply made with the nipples at the hub area instead of better quality direct screw-in like Edco (even though they were apparently made by Edco)
Quality of carbon fiber fairing is inconsistent. When you spin the wheel the fairing isn't anything close to a good circle.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Carbone
Campy Bora
Spinergy Rev-X

Favorite Ride:
tt

Bike Setup:
specialized trispoke r/w hed jet f/w, shogun kaze frame, profile aerobar, ultegra 600 components.

Summary:
cool wheel, which I'm afraid of using on the crappy DC streets. Nicest wheel I've ever used.

Strengths:
VERY AERO & LIGHT AS HELL!!! MAKES A WEIRD HUMMING NOISE WHILE YOU RIDE.

Weaknesses:
feels too light. If you buy these you gotta buy light, expensive tires or else you should just buy cheaper wheels.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Bicycle Sports

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tachyon 650c wheels.

Summary:
These wheels are nice lite, strong and aero, but the water problem is very annoying, this adds significant weight when wet.

Strengths:
Wheels are fairly lite,true and reliable.

Weaknesses:
Spoke holes in carbon cowling allow water to get in the wheels, when you get stuck riding in the rain. Only way to let water out is to remove tire and drain out the valve stem hole.

Similar Products Used:
Spinergy rev-x