In criterium racing, reaccelerating corner after a corner is what wears the riders down. Finally, we measured both lateral and radial stiffness of the wheels. Lateral stiffness is a good thing. A laterally stiff wheel feels better in a sprint. Radial stiffness, however, is less desirable.
Soft wheels provide a more comfortable ride.
200 Four wheels that sprinters might want to avoid are the Shamal, Cosmic, Specialized and Zipp. Thirty-six 14 gauge spokes sure make a wheel stiff, and so does a very deep carbon fiber rim as on the Zipp. And the price paid is quickly forgotten after the check has cleared. But the joy of effortless high speed cruising remains every time you put the wheels on. Furthermore, new generation aero wheels can also climb, hold their own in a criterium and provide a comfortable ride.