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Submitted by
conejo_dan
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: May 22, 2011
Strengths: - Stiff and extremely stable
- Surprisingly crisp braking with a nice "jet landing" sound when braking
- I love riding on cobblestones with these wheels!Weaknesses: - Needs breaking in
- Rear wheel skids more easily at lower speeds probably due to the light weight and the padsBottom Line:
Finally took the plunge and dropped some serious cash for a pair of the latest 303s with 27.5mm width rims. I chuckle when US riders complain about their the condition of their roads (they haven't obviously ridden in Mexico City!). I've ridden Cosmic Carbone SL which are way too stiff for me (I only weigh 63kg) and the AC 420s are to flexy. I always wanted a pair of wheels that do it all but at the same time comfortable.
I mounted a pair of Vittoria Corsa CX's and pumped them up to 94psi (just like Cancellara when he rode his winning episode of the PR!) My first ride was a huge disappointment! The wheels felt extremely stiff and unlively. I realized that i should have pumped them up to 110psi which helps liven up the tires and roll over bumps. After a couple hundred km and a few bunny hops here and there, the tires become more supple and the wheels at more life. I can stay the lateral stiffness, and power transfer efficiency makes up for the sacrifice in comfort. Most notable compared to clinchers that I've ridden is that they're a lot more stable in all conditions. I don't worry about I perfections in the road unsettling my handling. Aerodynamic advantage can be felt on flats but other cyclists still keep up or pass me on 60km/h descents. Their lightweight definitely is plus on climbs but after a while I don't notice this advantage. Their stiffness, stableness and lightweight make them perfect for moments when I need fast acceleration.
I'm convinced they are the best all round wheel set. Can't say the same the Vittorias. I find them harsh when compared to the Vredestein Superlite which I have on my 420s. I'm thinking about trying out Vredestein tubulars when I wear out the CXs.
Favorite Ride: Any ride
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL
American Classic 420s 2nd Generation
Bike Setup: Cervelo RS
Zipp Kool Stop brake pads
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
naisan
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: August 6, 2010
Strengths: * aero
* light
* cross-wind resistant
* strong
* look excellent when you remove the decals ;-)Weaknesses: * rear is not stiffer than other similar wheels, and less stiff than dura-ace carbon tubuluarsBottom Line: This review is for the 2010 cyclo-cross version (which has 24 spokes on the front)
* Feel very light, and are easy to accelerate, which makes them a fun wheel to ride, esp up climbs or in sprints.
* aero: seem to cut though wind more efficiently that my previous bontager 46mm carbon rims, esp when in a slightly angled wind
* cross-wind resistant - these are much less prone to deflection than my previous bontrager carbon 46mm rims when in a cross wind. MUCH less deflection - to the point where I almost don't notice any deflection at all.
* tough - I've now ridden through tons of potholes (I'm about 175lbs) and over miles of gravel/crushed rock, in addition to aobut 1000 mi of rough road, and haven't yet broken out the spoke wrench. They feel bombproof.
* not so stiff: I can easily deflect them into the brakes if I sprint, and now usually ride with my rear brakes adjusted out quite a bit. My bontragers were about the same, so I am resigned to this kind of wheel flex. When I pedal hard, the wheels also ping, which is due to the spokes at the rear 2x junction rubbing stretching against each other due to the strain.
* tons of nice litle touches - the hubs have easy pre-load adjustment, and by far the smoothest hubs since 20 year old campy or dura-ace. My wheels will rock back and forth like a pendulum driven by the weight of the valve stem when held up. . very nice.
Favorite Ride: any ride
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: * bontrager race-x aero
* dura-ace
* cosmic carbones
Bike Setup: R3, red, quarq, 303s
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Submitted by
mark
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: October 7, 2007
Strengths: weight,Weaknesses: expensive n relatively unresponsive.Bottom Line: Ultra light but dissapointing areo n efficiency issues. Look cool but wish I'd tried the 404's.
Zipp have service issues also.
Favorite Ride: where there's no traffic
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: ebay
Similar Products Used: fir antara, ultegra, discs and tri spokes
Bike Setup: depends what discipline. Currently dura ace litespeed vortex.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
NormanS
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Bottom Line: This review is about my warranty experience. My wife and I both ride ZIPPs for training as well as racing. We've hit plenty of minor bumps and potholes without a problem. But a few weeks ago I finally managed to trash a rim -- but not while riding. I was trying to get a worn tire off the tim (Tufo rim tape really works), when my hand slipped and I ended up smashing the side of the rim really hard against the sharp corner of a concrete block that was lying beside me. It put a small crack in the rim. It was totally my fault -- you'd never expect a carbon rim to stand up to that kind of weird impact. My LBS sent it back to ZIPP and they warrantied it 100%, no questions asked!!!! Phenomenal service! All I had to pay was $50 to ship the rim to ZIPP -- ZIPP even paid the return shipping. I just about fell out of my chair when the shop told me. Since there was absolutely no manufacturing defect, I would have been delighted with even a half price warranty. From reading other reviews I know that not everyone has had the same level of warranty service, but all I can say is THANK YOU ZIPP!!!!
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Submitted by
runstevierun
a TriathleteDate Reviewed: July 13, 2007
Strengths: Light, light, light.
I suppose they're aero but I know they're light.Weaknesses: Wicked expensive, can't take a stiff lick. Not really an everyday wheel.
Not as comfortable on long rides as my Ksyrium's.Bottom Line: Beautiful, smooth, light, light light. Unbelievably light. Put about 1000 miles of training on them. Trashed the front rim hitting a rock. It was a big rock but I think my Ksyrium's could take it. Crash replacement policy was $650 or $550 for a rebuild. Yow. When I get the cash I'll rebuild it and only use them for races.
Favorite Ride: SF to Mt. Tam and back
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: with bike
Similar Products Used: Mavic K's, Mavic Open Pro's, Easton
Bike Setup: Cervelo R3 with SRam, zero gravity and a bunch of other carbon stuff
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