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IronMan Winning Wheelset

The Xentis Mark 1 4-spoke wheelset may just be the best wheelset at reducing aerodynamic drag, and hence at reducing the wattage required to push the wheels through the air. This was demonstrated in the Spring of 2005 when Kai Hundertmark, former pro rider for Team Telekom, was asked by Triathlon Magazine in Germany to test aero equipment on an enclosed, hardwood track in Hamburg. Armed with an SRM, and sustaining two-minute pulls at 45 kph, Hundertmark and TM-Germany recorded the following data:

Test 1: Normal road race bike with Velomax Circuit wheels: 426 Watts
Test 2: Normal road race bike with aero bars: 395 Watts
Test 3: TT bike with normal helmet: 372 Watts
Test 4: TT bike with aero helmet: 366 Watts
Test 5: TT bike with aero helmet and Zipp 909 pair: 352 Watts
Test 6: TT bike with aero helmet and Lightweight deep dish: 377 Watts
Test 7: TT bike with aero helmet and Xentis 4-spoke front and rear: 349 Watts
Test 8: TT bike with aero helmet and X-treme Windcheeter 3-spoke front and rear: 370 Watts
Test 9: TT bike with aero helmet and Velomax Circuit training wheels: 387 Watts

Granted, the 3 Watt difference in favor of the Xentis pair over the Zipp 909 pair is perhaps within the realm of human error, but the fact remains that the Xentis set up is right up there with the fastest the world has to offer. Moreover, if you consider their lower weight, lower rolling resistance, and the fact that the Xentis are more usable in cross wind situations, the jury may just lean in favor of the Xentis pair.