While drooling over the S3 and considering buying it, I saw that on the specs the wheelset on offer is the HED Flanders.

 http://www.cervelo.com/bikes.aspx?bike=S32009

I am not aware of HED actually having a Flanders wheelset (not on their website).

I don't mind if it is actually the Ardennes as I already have these wheels on the R3, but the "look" probably is better with a deep dish design like the Jet C2 60.

As I am actually considering this bike (and the aesthetic) It would be nice to know which wheels come with the bike.

2 thumbs up on the HED Jet C2 60!  Smoking great wheels right there!

 This typifies the problem (if you can call it that) of buying a complete bike.

Is it better for the company to sell the bike with training wheels that most people will replace, or reasonable wheels that of course cost more and may not fit the application of every buyer (i.e. climbing vs time trial)?

It does seem to pay off if the incuded spec wheels are decent as you often get the sum of the parts cheaper than if you build up component by component.

I see that they only compnents that are on the web page now are the 3T Funda Team fork and the Cervelo Aero Seat Post. Also the only price listed is for the frameset. I guess you cannot buy a complete S3 now 

Melvyn,

                      I was just wondering how you liked your Ardennes wheels?  I have been thinking about getting a pair for my 2007 R3 and wondered how you liked them.  The reviews of them have been incredible.

I have also been looking at the Jet 60 C2 but they are considerable more expensive.

 I won't resort to superlatives, as they certainly don't make you climb like Ricco -there are other important factors.

They do do what they advertise:

I can feel the better roadholding (maybe because I have swapped to pro3race from Conti 400's?)

They are stiff and don't wobble in sprints

The brake clearance is not great on mr TRP calipers - so I know they are stiff.

The brake clearance is poor depending on caliper. I have mine all the way open. Remember however you don't need to open it further to get the tyre out, as it is also 23mm.

They are light - perceptably so, coming from my previous wheelset - Spinergy Stealth PBO's (Deep rims)

I cannot feel the "tubular ride" - however I have never ridden tubulars, and my previous Spinergy's spoil me with ride comfort due to PBO spokes.

I cannot vouch for the aero advantage - probably ride too slow

Seem to be a reasonable alternative to all the Mavic etc... They are certainly not a dud wheelset. Good price

Melvyn,

                     that's great feedback, thanks.

I guess I have to rush out and order a set now.

thanks...............

Thanks Melvyn!

Cyclingnews.com has some pictures and a quick description of the Flanders wheelset  (see this link http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/on-show-eurobike-2009-part-14) .

Also, the Hed website now has a mini description of their offering. In sum, the wheelset weighs 1650g and is the budget version of the Ardennes.

I have used the Hed Ardennes for a season and a half and absolutely love them.  They spin up really fast and climbing is noticeably improved when compared to the stock wheels that my bike came with. I did not feel any flex while standing or mashing on the pedals.  For century rides, the wheels are very comfortable, but this may be because of the frame and tires and not a factor of the wheels themselves or it may be a combination of all 3... On my downhill runs where I get to over 70kmh, I can corner pretty confidently, leaning further than with the other wheelsets that I have used.

I may get a set of the Flanders for my commuter bike as soon as I can find out a little bit more about their performance characteristics and level of stiffness. If they are at all comparable to the Ardennes, then the S3 equipped with the Flanders wheelset seems like a good choice for stock wheels.

Lastly, the Flanders have a list price of 700.00 US.