Favorite Ride: Tuscany, Tour de Blast, Clark County
Bike Setup: '98 Lemond 853, Control Tech quill stem, Speedplay X2, 140 lb. rider.
Summary: 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.
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.
Similar Products Used: Ultegra/Open Pro - max durability, re-lube the freehub and it coasts with a whisper. 8000 miles on front wheel.
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Summary: Good lightweight set of wheels. If you can only afford one set of wheels for training and racing, I'd recommend looking at these.
Strengths: The front hub is phenomenal. Smoothest thing I've ever rolled. Black rims and hubs look great. Very stiff.
Weaknesses: Rim seams leave a little to be desired. You may need to sand yours to get them totally smooth. The rear hub is a little tight. It's basically a design flaw that you have to live with. It'll break in after about 200 miles and be as smooth as the front. Ratchet is a little loud.
Similar Products Used: Ksyriums (overrated), Vector Pros (nice), Neutrons (pricey, but best climbing wheel going)
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Summary: Great wheels. One of a number of Helium knockoffs, but better for roughly the same price. They have butted spokes and look better than that schlocky red anodized finish on the heliums. Honestly, who wants red anodized wheels? Really, you can feel how light these wheels are as soon as you start pedaling. They accelerate like few others, letting you put the hurt on fat boys when climbing. Not great aerodynamically, but what climbing wheels are? They are great on the uphills, solid and stable on the downhills, and they look great, especially when people say, "Huh, those are Zipps?". Bragging rights are important, even when they are determined by one's consumer choices. I've won eight times this season on these wheels, including Fitchburg-Longsjo, so I can't complain.
Strengths: Light, low rolling weight, looks, stiffness, great hubs.
Weaknesses: A tad pricey, rear hub cap tends to come unscrewed leading to much lateral flex when rocking the bike.
Similar Products Used: Rolfs, Classics Pros, Ksyriums
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