HED

Ardennes SL Disc Brake - Clincher

Tubular tires are fast, smooth, and awesome to ride, but they're pretty impractical if you don't have a team car following you around on all your training rides. For most of us, clinchers are where it's at, and if you can throw ultra-modern disc brakes into the mix as well, you're going to be better off than most of the riders in your group. HED's Ardennes SL Disc Brake Clincher Wheelset brings both technologies to the party, along with wider rims for a smoother, faster ride without the inconvenience of--we'll say it--outdated systems.

HED designed the Ardennes SL with an external rim width of 25mm. So? So the wider the rim, the more natural the tire profile and the more rubber you have touching the ground. Somewhat counterintuitively, this means the tire will roll smoother and faster, with less resistance from the air and the tarmac. The wider contact patch also helps you roll smoothly over irregularities, rather than bumping over them, which only serves to reduce your momentum. If you're after an even plusher ride, you can set the Ardennes SL up tubeless, with the included rim tape.

Looking for more? HED built the Ardennes to be used with disc brakes, which, let's face it, are better than rim brakes. While they're not allowed in UCI races, they offer far better stopping power and modulation, especially in wet conditions. The Ardennes is designed to be used with Centerlock rotors, but you can pick up a six-bolt adaptor if you prefer running different rotors. Sapim X-Ray spokes are super durable and lightweight, and both hubs are smooth-spinning, easy-to-maintain parts that'll keep you rolling for miles upon miles.