Hed Designs Stinger wheelsets - tubular


  • Average Rating: 3.67/5
  • MSRP: $
  • # of Reviews: 3

Product Description

The first in a new series of Pro-ride wheels designed solely for high performance professional / elite level racing.

Achieving a weight of 515g for a front with a 40mm rim section, and 710g for a rear with 40mm rim section, the Stinger required a complete overhaul of the industry standard design and manufacturing processes. A new carbon fiber lay up system incorporating a honeycomb core, sandwiched between the carbon sheets was used for the first time in spoked wheel construction. No weight, unless structurally needed has been left in the wheel, while the latest aerospace grade materials have resulted in an unprecedented weight to strength ratio. Ride comfort has also been designed into the wheel by using "epoxy+" resins, which allow small but significant movement of the carbon side walls to cushion the ride without diminishing the lateral stiffness of the wheel.



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Reviews 1 - 3 (3 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by rcrouse2 a Recreational Rider from

Date Reviewed: May 7, 2010

Strengths:    Aerodynamics, looks, price, everything!

Weaknesses:    Nothing I can think of

Bottom Line:   
Review is for the 2010 Hed Stinger 9's
Fabulous wheels. I've ridden Zipp 404's, 808's, Mavic Carbones, Reynolds DV46. These are better. At 90mm deep they are deeper than the Zipp 808's, score significantly better in the wind tunnel and are very light! Spin up quickly and stay there. I live in Southwest Florida where it's pretty windy, somehow Hed has managed to make these rideable even in windy conditions. Seem very strong as well. I'm 190 lbs and these feel indestructable.

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Similar Products Used:   Zipp 404, 808, Hed 3's (also fabulous), Reynolds DV46, Easton EC90's

Bike Setup:   Cervelo P2C, SRAM Red, Ceramic bearings throughout


Overall Rating:1
Value Rating:3
Submitted by joshnix a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: April 25, 2009

Strengths:    Unproven aero capabilities (couldn't get them working)

Weaknesses:    Valve extenders are unreliable, increased rim width causes incompatibility issues with brakes and frame clearance.

Bottom Line:   
These wheels have been nothing but trouble. The original included valve extenders were machined wrong. The replacements took a week to get here. The design is inherently flawed and would not hold a seal on the rim (tested fine off rim). Forced me to remount a tubular tire twice. Finally bought some 3rd party removable core valve extenders.

Furthermore, the 2009 C2 22mm wide rim is incompatible with SRAM brakes (also 2009). The calipers can't open up to give enough clearance. Because of this, I'm currently riding a $30 set of brakes on an $8000 bicycle.

After all this, I found that the increased width of the rim rubs against my chainstay directly behind the bottom bracket. The wheel has been checked for true and is fine. It's slightly out of dish, however two mechanics have told me that even if it were perfectly dished, the clearance is so little that it would rub under flex no matter what.

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Price Paid:    $1400.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   Zipp 404's

Bike Setup:   Scott CR1 with 2009 SRAM Force


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by pooh bear a Road Racer from

Date Reviewed: May 4, 2005

Strengths:    Everything about these wheels is outstanding!

Weaknesses:    Braking on carbon rims - but that's the nature of the beast.

Bottom Line:   
These are wickedly beautiful wheels! They are light (less than 1400grams/pair), stiff (I weigh 185 and they don't flex), and aerodynamic. Everything about them is top-drawer. The rims are flawless, Sapim bladed spokes, beautiful hubs (look like American Classics to me...), perfect build. They spin up fast, and once you're up to speed, they want to stay there. It's hard for me to imagine a better all-around set of racing wheels - they are light enough for big climbs, yet aerodynamic enough for time-trialing. I put Tufo Elite sew-ups on them (super-easy installation using their extreme tape)and the ride is incredibly comfortable. There is only one downside to these wheels that is shared by all carbon rim wheels: even when you use special brake pads for carbon rims, braking force is hard to control. It's hard to go from light pressure up to high pressure on the brake levers and get a nice smooth, predictable increase in braking force - above a certain point, the pads tend to suddenly grip hard. I've used Corima pads for carbon rims and regular Ultegra pads, and I think the Ultegra's are a bit smoother.
Overall though, I'd buy 'em again without hesitation - for the money I don't know of anything even close...

Expand full review >>

Favorite Ride:   Good pavement, sane drivers

Price Paid:    $800.00

Purchased At:   Direct from Hed

Similar Products Used:   Mavic, Weyless, Matrix, and some older tubulars.

Bike Setup:   Scattante SCR, Ultegra, FSA compact.



Reviews 1 - 3 (3 Reviews Total)

Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

Raxter Stinger 1.25

Oh moreons of the lounge, anyone have any experience with Raxter racks? I'm looking at the 1.25 Stinger to put on the back of my Mini. I can squeeze a road bike inside but the SS   Read More »

HED Stinger 6 tubies

From what I've read the wider wheelsets are causing some problems fitting in the brakes. Granted, the reviews are a few years old, but I'm wondering if this still seems to be an    Read More »

GNC 25% Off Today Only = Stinger Waffles for $13 for 16ct box

Code = 25ONEDAY for 25% off plus free shipping. I Love the Vanilla Stinger waffles (vanilla for me) as a good energy source during ride. Nice variety vs GU gels and chomps on lo   Read More »

(LOT OF 12) Honey Organic Stinger Waffles= $10.008333333 a box

Just ordered a (LOT OF 12) honey organic stinger waffles yesterday. Honey Organic Stinger Waffle (Size: 12 Box Case ([B]10% off[/B])) $240.19 USD [B]$240.19 USD[/B] Subtot   Read More »

Stinger Waffles Vanilla $13.34/box free shipping Feb 9th only...

Vanilla flavor only. 20% off regular price when put in your cart. Then use promo code "FEB25" for an additional 25% off bringing per box price down to $13.34. Only on Vanilla flav   Read More »

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