HED Stinger 4 FR Carbon Road Wheelset Tubular

By now you've heard the words toroidal and hybritoroidal thrown around by virtually every carbon wheel manufacturer. But, did you know that Steve Hed was granted the patent for them in 1991 HED's first toroidal shapes and deep rims were designed in 1989. So, to put it bluntly, other manufacturers have been playing catch up for quite some time. While they play, HED continues to design some of the most technologically advanced wheels around, and the HED Stinger 4 FR Tubular Road Wheelset is no exception. The HED Stinger 4 Carbon Tubular Wheel benefits directly from Steve Hed's original rim design. The C2 platform rims are 46mm deep and 28mm wide on the outside, as compared to most rims that are only 19mm wide and 19 23mm deep. The reason for the greater width is because 23mm tires really are, for the most part, the minimum tire width you should be using on the road. A 23mm tire on a wider rim changes the tire's footprint, so it grips better in a straight line and it grips better in turns because the tire deforms more evenly. A 23mm tire on a 28mm rim also has lower rolling resistance.If you're planning on wrapping the Stinger 4s in even wider tires e. g. 32mm cyclocross or Roubaix tubulars you'll no doubt be pleased with the outcome. This is because the wider rim better supports the larger tire volume, preventing the tire from mushing around or feeling sloppy. In addition, the wide rim shape also means more contact between the rim and tire, which in turn means that it's much harder for the tires to roll off, thanks to the fact that the rims cradle the tire better and there is more surface area to which to glue it.The Stinger 4s come standard with HED's Carbon FR Sonic hubs. The hubs have a carbon fiber center section and use a minimalist shape in order to maximize aerodynamic characteristics. Both the front and rear hubs run ABEC5 bearings on oversize aluminum axles: 12mm in front, 15mm in rear. The oversized axles are stiff, and with less deflection th...