Strengths: Aero, hubs, durability, serviceability, customer service
Weaknesses: Rotational weight? again though barely noticeable when the other characteristics are considered. price
Bottom Line:
I was hesitant to buy these wheels because of all the reviews I read where people were mentioning how noticeable the rotational weight of the rim is. Being a small light weight rider this was a serious concern for me. I'm glad I didn't listen!! These are superb all round race wheels! First, I should admit that there is a SLIGHT addition in rotational weight, but the rest of the wheel's charatcteristics more than make up for it. The aero advantage of these is not BS but very real. When pedaling into a slightly angled headwind they almost disappear beneith you and accelerate with ease. The added rotational weight is actually helpful if you are someone who enjoys sinking into a even smooth cadence. And although I'm a small guy these are very very stiff and nimble through corners. They're rediculously strong too. I've put mine through hellish roads and a few cross races and I've only had to true them very slightly and only once. And then there's the hubs!!! Zipp's 88/188 hubs are a masterpiece. Period. These alone could be justifiably soled for over $600 for the pair. They simply roll forever. My only issue with these wheels is price. at $1200 zipp is squeezing every penny out of these that they can get. Its not that they're over priced, but that price does bring in some worthy competition. Namely Mavic R-sys, dura ace c24's, or some reynolds carbon clinchers. If you run across a pair of these new for less than $900 dont think, just buy. but at full retail the options I mentioned are definetly worth checking out for comparison
Strengths: Fast wheelset on decents, rolling hills, and flats. Wheel construction is solid, hubs are fantastic, rim aerodynamics is very good, braking is solid, and riding in the cross-winds is not a problem. Highly recommend if you like to go fast.
Weaknesses: A tad on the heavy side... > 1,500 grams, expensive, and the response on steep climbs is sluggish.
Bottom Line:
Previous wheelset.. Easton Orion II. Great wheels and I use them for training now. Purchased Zipp 101s for race day events. I was looking for a fast wheelset so that I could bridge the gap. I heard these wheels are not terribly responsive on steep climbs and their assessment is true based on my experience. However, these are the fast aluminum wheels I have ever rode. Bar none. The hub construction is fantastic (bearings are smooth) and rim aerodynamics does work and it not all marketing. Riding in the cross-winds is stable and no complaints at all.
Strengths: light, good climber, fairly responsive and fairly loose in the rear
Weaknesses: some design quirks, not near as bad IMHO as american classic. PRICE, good night, had I paid $900 and had these issues I would have croaked
Bottom Line:
overall good wheelset for what I gave for it. Truth be known, had I given the $900 for these, I would have crapped my drawers full after the first incident. They are smooth, roll out nicely, are reliable, fairly bombproof wheels all things considered and the conditions I have ridden them in. Here are the repairs. The occassional rear wheel true, which is no biggie, and very servicable. second, more importantly, the rear freewheel blew on me and I had to call zipp and discuss it with them, which they honored very easily and happily and sent a newer better freewheel for free. The rims have a good design, but are not near as resilient as the good ole mavic open pro's.
Strengths: Very light, lighter than Heliums, according to Zipp's scales. Noticable difference in climbing and accelerating effort, when they work.
Weaknesses: First problem was the breaking of the circular spring that extends the pawls - a replacement was hard to find. The second, more serious, problem was with the ring that screws on the freehub body against which the cassette presses - a crappy design. The ring came off the threads and the cassette was pushed into the pawls, which turned the hub into something of a fixed gear. Zipp sold me a new freehub body, but I haven't ridden on it.
Spendy, but you probably won't get them new, now.
Bottom Line:
I bought these used in 2001, and I didn't know the history. I bought these for special occasions like the Torture 10,000 and have put less than 400 miles on them.
