Why the EZ Disc Is Still a Game-Changer on Hilly Triathlon Courses

There’s a long-standing myth in triathlon and time trial circles: that disc wheels are only useful on flat courses.

But after analysing hundreds of race profiles, from beginner-friendly events to some of the steepest IRONMAN 70.3 routes, EZ Gains is here to set the record straight.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, riding a road bike or a TT bike, the EZ Disc consistently delivers meaningful time savings , even on hilly courses.

Hilly Course Image

The Big Myth: Disc Wheels Aren’t for Climbs

Many athletes believe that disc wheels (or rear disc covers like the EZ Disc) only provide aerodynamic benefits at high speeds or on flat terrain. They’re told that adding weight to a bike will cost them time on climbs, so they avoid using one in hilly races.

But here's the truth: your aerodynamic drag coefficient (CdA) matters at all speeds, uphill, downhill, or on the flats. And the EZ Disc has been proven to reduce drag significantly, without adding enough weight to outweigh those gains.

In fact, EZ Gains has shown through extensive data modelling that using a deep-section wheel plus EZ Disc is faster than using the deep-section wheel alone — even on the steepest triathlon courses.

Hilly Course Image 2

Case Study: IRONMAN 70.3 Marbella

Take the IRONMAN Marbella 70.3, one of the most brutal 70.3 courses on the calendar with 1,474m of climbing over 90km. EZ Gains tested multiple rider profiles across different weights and setups.

In every scenario, the EZ Disc setup saved over 2 minutes compared to using a standard deep-section wheel alone.

Even though the EZ Disc adds around 500g, the aerodynamic advantage over the full course far outweighs the minimal weight penalty. Over the full 90k, those savings translate directly to better race outcomes.

Why Pros Always Race with Disc Wheels

You’ll never see a professional triathlete or time trial rider at a big race without a disc wheel. Why? Because going faster is the goal, and disc wheels are faster. Simple.

The EZ Disc makes that same technology and performance available to age-groupers and everyday athletes, but at a fraction of the cost of a full carbon disc wheel.