HED Jet 180 Rim Brake Rear Wheel

When Anne Hed set out to build the fastest non-disc rear wheel ever made, the result was the HED Jet 180 Rim Brake Rear Wheel — a deep-section carbon/alloy triathlon wheel that takes its name from the 180km bike leg at the heart of Ironman racing. Since 1984, HED has been handbuilding performance wheels out of their facility in Roseville, Minnesota, and the Jet 180 represents decades of aerodynamic research distilled into a single rear wheel for the athlete who demands every possible advantage without a full disc.

The case for non-disc triathlon wheels is more nuanced than it might appear. Disc wheels are banned in some triathlon events and conditions, and their handling in unpredictable crosswinds can test even experienced riders. The Jet 180 was designed to close that gap — delivering deep-section aerodynamics without the handling liability of a true disc, so you keep your confidence when the wind shifts direction across an exposed causeway or open desert highway. HED describes it as their Kona record-holder: a wheel trusted by top triathletes at the Ironman World Championship precisely because it delivers speed where it counts without demanding perfect conditions.

The construction combines a carbon aero fairing with an aluminum braking surface — a deliberate choice that solves a real problem. Carbon rim brakes can generate significant heat during extended descents, which affects brake modulation and tire integrity over a long bike leg. By pairing the carbon fairing with an alloy brake track, the Jet 180 delivers the aerodynamic depth riders want without the thermal concerns that come with all-carbon brake surfaces. The result is a wheel that performs reliably across the varied terrain and long durations that define iron-distance racing.

Every Jet 180 is laced with Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes on a 24-spoke pattern, built onto the HED Pro 5-pawl hub. CX-Ray spokes are cold-worked to maximize tensile strength while the bladed profile reduces aerodynamic drag — a detail that matters when you're deep into a long bike leg and every watt counts. The HED Pro hub provides reliable, low-maintenance engagement and is available with either a Shimano HG or SRAM XDR freehub body. The 21mm internal rim width accommodates modern tire sizing and supports tubeless setup right out of the box — HED installs the tape at the factory and includes a tubeless valve and quick-release skewer with every wheel. The 25mm external width and 32.5mm maximum fairing width complete an aerodynamic profile optimized for the speed-over-distance demands of triathlon racing.

At 1,258 grams, this isn't the lightest option in the HED lineup, but weight has never been the primary design brief here. The Jet 180 was built to go fast over 180 kilometers, not to minimize grams on a scale. Every decision — spoke selection, hub design, rim geometry — was made in service of that goal.

Specs at a Glance

• Weight: 1,258g
• Hub: HED Pro 5-pawl
• Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray, 24-spoke
• Rim inner width: 21mm
• Rim outer width: 25mm
• Widest fairing point: 32.5mm
• Tire compatibility: Clincher or tubeless
• Max tire pressure: 80 psi
• Bearing size: 6902
• Brake type: Rim brake
• Freehub: Shimano HG11 or SRAM XDR

Design Benefits

1. Deep-section aero fairing for non-disc speed: The carbon fairing and 32.5mm maximum width reduce drag at the rear wheel — one of the highest-return aero investments on a triathlon bike — without the handling demands of a full disc.
2. Carbon/alloy hybrid construction: The alloy brake track eliminates heat buildup concerns during long descents while the carbon fairing delivers the aerodynamic depth of a deep-section wheel, giving you reliable brake modulation for the duration of a full-distance race.
3. Tubeless-ready from the factory: HED applies tubeless tape before the wheel ships, streamlining setup and ensuring correct installation from the start. A tubeless valve and quick-release skewer are included.
4. Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes: Cold-worked for maximum tensile strength and shaped to reduce aerodynamic drag — a spoke choice that reflects genuine performance priorities rather than specification padding.
5. 21mm internal rim width: Supports modern tire sizing, promotes a favorable tire-to-rim aerodynamic relationship, and accommodates a range of clincher and tubeless tire options.
6. 5-year warranty and crash replacement: Every Jet 180 is backed by HED's 5-year limited warranty and crash replacement program, assembled by hand in Roseville, Minnesota.

Final Take

The HED Jet 180 is built for one thing: going as fast as possible over 180 kilometers when a disc wheel isn't on the table. Whether race rules prohibit it, crosswinds demand something more manageable, or you simply prefer the predictability of rim brakes on technical or wet courses, the Jet 180 answers with a purpose-built triathlon wheel designed around the specific demands of long-course racing. If iron-distance triathlon is your focus, this is the rear wheel built for exactly that.