The H3 Plus Alloy Clincher Rear Wheel offers a new wider alloy clincher rim design for competitive endurance athletes. When HED released the GT3 Tubular wheel last year, with it's modern, wider rim, the question we started hearing was "will there be a clincher version?" The H3 Plus Alloy Clincher Rear Wheel answers that question, albeit with some variation from the GT3. Given the three-plus decades of H3 success through aerodynamics, the tri-spoke design is hugely popular with triathletes and time-trialists alike. With a new wider rim, and deeper section to go along with an alloy brake track and clincher tire rim bed, the H3 Plus offers tremendous aerodynamics, stability, speed, and all-around riding durability to a broader group of athletes, both those building towards excellence, and those who can't justify a massive wheel budget.

The original H3 was optimized for 18-20mm event specific, speed-oriented tires when narrower tires were thought to be faster. With the current understanding how rolling resistance, rubber compounds and the aerodynamic interplay between and tire all impact speed on the bike, clincher riders favor 22-25mm tires for speed events. Enter the H3 Plus Clincher, which has a max width of 25.5mm, allowing the tire to expand naturally without creating the bulge over the rim that impacts drag coefficients. Air travels up and over the tire, sits on the widening rim surface, then creates propulsion via laminar air flow and pressure on the rim. At the same time, with the Alloy Clincher version, the profile grew from 54mm to 60mm, to create the proper shape and structure to ensure strength and optimal aerodynamics.

The hybrid carbon-alloy design has been proven durable, cost-effective, and laterally stiff over the years and now the H3 Plus has wider construction, which only enhances those characteristics. Overall the wheel becomes more stable with a more substantial tire, particularly useful in heavy crosswinds or on more technical courses. This provides a huge benefit to triathletes in particular, who may not feel comfortable riding a rear disc wheel in such conditions. Over the years, many lightweight time-trialists have also opted for the H3 design for the windswept TT's in coastal European grand tours. The tri-spoke concept has always been fast and stable at greater yaw angles than deep section rims, and when paired with a front H3 Plus the tri-spoke, the matched wheels will carry some serious speed.

HED uses their Sonic H3 hub internals for the H3 Plus Alloy Clincher Rear Wheel, so you know you you are going to get smooth, solid response from the widely spaced sealed cartridge bearings and freehub body. The Shimano HG style hub is compatible with 9-11 speed drivetrains, so any rider can upgrade to the latest in great HED wheel technology. Standard alloy rim brake pads work great on the machined alloy brake track and the increased width improves general stopping power and control with less lever pressure.

Given the improvements and varieties of high quality, speed-oriented clincher tires, you have plenty of great options for race day, and you can easily run a more durable tire for training. No gluing required. This makes training on your race wheels feasible, which leads to better overall comfort with performance and handling; crucial for the developing cyclist or triathlete, but also ideal for event prep on mo more technical courses. This versatility also increases the value of your wheels, so race with confidence at top speed while you pursue your goals.