HED Stinger 5 Wheelset for cyclocross.

I’ve been loving my new HED Stinger 5 wheelset.  It’s a carbon tubular, so it does require the usual carbon pad setup, which is annoying but not that bad if your u limit your wheel switching.  The rim width is 28mm and depth is 50mm.  I love the 28 wide rim, it rides great with a cx tire or gravel grinder tire.  The Stinger 5 is the Swiss Army Knife in the HED line.  It can come in pretty much any cyclocross bike combination; disc, thru axle disc, non disc, cx version vs non road version, ect.  I’m riding the road version for cyclocross which has been totally fine, but I love that HED offers a cx version which has a wider tire bed optimized for 25+ tires.  There commitment to cyclocross is often passed over as they are much more known for their aero wheels.

Riding Review

They are crazy stiff and at 1381 grams for the non disc version how can you not love them.  Our courses in Montana are bumpy and rocky so loose things are flying everywhere.  I’ve been impressed with the durability.  Honestly, it’s the best race wheelset I’ve ever been on.  I can’t believe how light, stiff, and durable they are.  They fit the tubular tires beautifully.  I can’t say enough good thing about these wheels.  I’ll check back in after the season.

-Shaun Radley