[BugMan]

My rear Zipp 404 clincher finally bit the dust - busted the rim in a pothole! Zipp won't repair because the wheelset is over 5 years old, and they've made it very difficult to get ahold of their rims to take to 3rd party wheel builders.

I love the smooth ride of my Zipp 404s, but I don't want to give Zipp my business for a new rear wheel cuz I spent so much on the first wheelset and they've essentially told me to f-off in repairing it. I could get a new/used Zipp wheel on Ebay, but not one that would match my '04 model year front wheel (and that would look stoopid!). So, I think I'm just gonna buy myself a new wheelset - but not from Zipp.

What wheelset would give me a similar ride quality? Clinchers (but not full carbon), and durability is more important to me than light weight. Am willing to spend up to $1,500 or so (depending on how much I can get for my Zipp 404 front wheel). Please don't try to convince me that box rims are just fine.

 

[Zen Cyclery]

Maybe consider Enve 45s with DT 350 hubs. Yeah they are full carbon, but I think that you would be impressed with their durability. The 5 year warranty on those hoops speaks for itself.

 

[BugMan]

Thanks for the suggestion, but $2K+ for all-carbon clinchers isn't what I had in mind.

 

[Warpdatframe]

Jet 5 express. Has all the desirable qualities you look for a new high performance wheel set. I'm fairly sure competitive cyclist has them for about $1000 which is a pretty wicked deal. I have a set of the Jet 4 FR and they are awesome. Good aero performance, durability, and magical ride quality.

 

[Fireform]

Jet 5 express. Has all the desirable qualities you look for a new high performance wheel set. I'm fairly sure competitive cyclist has them for about $1000 which is a pretty wicked deal. I have a set of the Jet 4 FR and they are awesome. Good aero performance, durability, and magical ride quality.

I tend to agree. That's a good deal.

 

[BugMan]

Jet 5 express. Has all the desirable qualities you look for a new high performance wheel set. I'm fairly sure competitive cyclist has them for about $1000 which is a pretty wicked deal. I have a set of the Jet 4 FR and they are awesome. Good aero performance, durability, and magical ride quality.

Hmm - 55mm, 1681g carbon/alum clincher for $960 looks like an awesome deal! I note HED recommends rider weight not to exceed 190 - I'm right at that (but usually lighter). Still it makes me a little concerned about durability for the long haul.

Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL also looks to be a good choice - a little heavier, but people tend to use the term "bomb proof" a lot when talking about these wheels. A new set of these runs about ~$1100 - a little less on Ebay.

 

[tihsepa]

I recently goy a set of Reynolda assults at well under your price point. In fact I could have bought two sets at 1500 bucks. I like them alot.

 

[Cyclin Dan]

Hmm - 55mm, 1681g carbon/alum clincher for $960 looks like an awesome deal! I note HED recommends rider weight not to exceed 190 - I'm right at that (but usually lighter). Still it makes me a little concerned about durability for the long haul.

Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL also looks to be a good choice - a little heavier, but people tend to use the term "bomb proof" a lot when talking about these wheels. A new set of these runs about ~$1100 - a little less on Ebay.

I have weighted between 220 & 260 during the time I've put about 14k miles in a set of Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL's and they've been great. I would recommend them.

 

[looigi]

I suggest checking out the following, though I only have data/set and not specifically for the rear wheel:

Roval CLX 40, 40mm deep 1396gm full carbon $2200/set.
Roval CLX 60, 60mm deep 1555gm full carbon $2200/set.
Giant P-SLR1, 50mm deep 1575gm al rim with CF fairing, $1600 set.

Some data I collected sorted by weight/set. Tabs are wack but info is decipherable I hope:
Sharp means is not blunt inner edge. Width may have several entries pertaining to width between beads, with over brake tracks, max overall width...

Wheels Depth Width weight price Notes
Reyn 32 32 ? 1330 Sharp
Fulcrum R.Lt XLR Clin 30? 20.5/13 1345 3000
Zipp 202 32 16.25/25.4 1375 2725
Roval CLX40 40 16.2/23 1396 2200
ENVE 3.4 35/45 26/24 outer 1426 3045
Reyn Forty Six 46 ? 1440 2750 Lip swirl
ENVE Classic 45 45 22 1458 2730 Not Fat?
Reyn Assault 46 ? 1465
Zipp 303 45 17.25 inside 1475 2725
Inertia iRT50C 50 ? 1520 1599
Zipp 404 58 16.25 inside 1525 2725
ENVE Classic 65 65 22 1538 2730 Not Fat?
Mavic CC 40C 40 19 1545 2750 Hybrid Al/CF foam filled.
Easton EC 90 SL 38 1547 1800
Bontrager 5 D3 50 27 1550 2700
Roval CLX60 60 17.3 in/24.4 ext 1555 2200
Boyd 44 44 23.5 1560 1400
ENVE new 45 45 1564 2050
ENVE 6.7 60/70 1566 3045
Giant P-SLR1 50 21 1575 1600 Al rim
Reynolds 58Aero 58 26.2 1580 2774?
Mavic CC SLR 52 1595 2500 AL rim CF spokes
Mavic SLE 52 1620 2000 Al rim Hidden nipples
Reyn Sixty Six 66 ? 1620
Neuvation C45 45 23.5 1640 995
Jet 4 46 23 1643 1900 Al rim
Boyd 60 60 23.5 1660 1450
Easton EC70SL 42 20 1660 1500 Al rim
Innertia iRT i585C 58 ? 1660 1699
Jet 6 FR 60 23 1660 1900 Al rim
Enve new 65 65 1664 2050
Easton EC90 56 22 1670 2100
Rey 72 Aero 72 26.2 1680
Reyn Strike 66 ? 1680
Jet 5 exp 54 23 1681 1550 Al rim

 

[stevesbike]

nashbar has your 404 set (old style with alloy brake tracks) on sale. Plus 20% off makes them about $1400.

 

[BugMan]

​

nashbar has your 404 set (old style with alloy brake tracks) on sale. Plus 20% off makes them about $1400.

Sweet deal for sure, but Zipp isn't getting any more money from me out of principle.

 

[Fireform]

Maybe I'm off base but it sure seems like Zipp's customer service has gone down the toilet since they were bought by SRAM. They warranteed the front 404 tubular rim I had that cracked but only after making me pay for a crash replacement on the rear rim of the same wheelset (which I had never crashed). Even then they told my dealer they were doing it as a goodwill gesture (they wouldn't have said it to me because its now policy to talk only with dealers over warranty issues, not directly with customers). Honoring your warranty is a goodwill gesture? **** that.

 

[CXinME]

mavic cosmic carbone sl
via the usual outfits about 850

better hubs than hed/zipp
stiff
ultra reliable
can ride them everyday
better cs than zipp

 

[TheMilkMan]

I ride dura ace c50 the 2013 version is 23 mm wide. Got them not that long ago and have about 1200 miles on them and couldn't be happier

 

[dcgriz]

Maybe I'm off base but it sure seems like Zipp's customer service has gone down the toilet since they were bought by SRAM. They warranteed the front 404 tubular rim I had that cracked but only after making me pay for a crash replacement on the rear rim of the same wheelset (which I had never crashed). Even then they told my dealer they were doing it as a goodwill gesture (they wouldn't have said it to me because its now policy to talk only with dealers over warranty issues, not directly with customers). Honoring your warranty is a goodwill gesture? **** that.

No, you are not off base according to my experiences with Zipp's customer service, or more accurately, lack of..

 

[BugMan]

I just saw Performance has Reynolds Assaults on sale for $999. This seems like a great deal and I've seen only good reviews. What so you guys think about these all carbon clinchers versus alum/carbon clinchers like the HEDs or Mavic CCs mentioned above for everyday use?
p.s. I am a former racer with a decent pedigree so don't worry about 'Fred'.

 

[RoadrunnerLXXI]

Alot of folks on here own the Boyd Wheels since they are made in S. Carolina and great customer service. Boyd himself test all of his product before they go into mass production. These are the reason I brought a set of 38mm carbon clincher from Boyd and because the were on clearance. Also, check out Williams Wheels, which is made in California. Also good customer service and test their own products prior to going into production. The main difference between the 2 is they use ceramic bearings instead. Both are cheaper than the big names but quality is just as good.


Boyd Cycling - High Performance Wheels You Can Afford

Williams Cycling, Buy Bike Wheels, Bike Saddles, Bike Parts Direct

 

[jlwdm]

​

Sweet deal for sure, but Zipp isn't getting any more money from me out of principle.

For not replacing an 8+ year old wheel?

Jeff

 

[RoadrunnerLXXI]

For not replacing an 8+ year old wheel?

Jeff

The poster wasn't asking for replacement. He just wanted it to be repair.

 

[Fireform]

Whiw, my wheels were 2012 firecrests.