[Mberlin74]

I want to build a new set of Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels with DT Swiss 240’s or 180’s. Not decided on the hub yet. There are a number of wheel builders in the USA that can do this such as wheelbuilder.com, speed vision bikes etc. I cannot find a single shop/builder here in Canada that can get just the Zipp rims. They all say they can only get the complete wheel with the Zipp hubs. So I called SRAM and spoke to their wheel department. They told me that they don’t care either way and that as far as they’re concerned, anyone can buy just the rims should they wish. Even with this knowledge I still can’t find any shop that can get me just the rims here in Canada.

Do any of you know of a place here in Canada that can get just the Zipp rims?

 

[cxwrench]

Rim brake or disc? QBP has disc brake rims in stock. They're in MN but I'm sure shops in Canada order from them.

 

[Mberlin74]

Rim brake or disc? QBP has disc brake rims in stock. They're in MN but I'm sure shops in Canada order from them.

Disc brake for sure. I’ll check them out and will see if they’ll ship to Canada.
Thanks.

 

[Lombard]

Rim brake or disc? QBP has disc brake rims in stock. They're in MN but I'm sure shops in Canada order from them.

I gather QBP only sells to retailers, correct?

 

[Mberlin74]

I gather QBP only sells to retailers, correct?

Yes that’s what I just found out. They have me some names of shops near me that have accounts with them. So I’ll start there.

 

[cxwrench]

I gather QBP only sells to retailers, correct?

Yes, wholesale only. Which is why I said "...shops in Canada can order from them"

 

[Mberlin74]

How big of a deal is the warranty difference between-
Zipp (lifetime replacement crash protection) and
Enve (<3 Years (0-36 Months) No charge on the specific damaged component – Customer responsible for costs related to parts (ex. spokes, nipples), labor, and shipping
-3 – <4 (37-48 Months) 50% Off MSRP, Customer pays all shipping
-4 – <5 (49-60 Months) 40% Off MSRP, Customer pays all shipping
-5 (61 + Months) 30% Off MSRP, Customer pays)

Should this add any real weight to going one way or the other?

 

[cxwrench]

Only you can answer this question.

 

[Lombard]

How big of a deal is the warranty difference between-
Zipp (lifetime replacement crash protection) and
Enve (<3 Years (0-36 Months) No charge on the specific damaged component – Customer responsible for costs related to parts (ex. spokes, nipples), labor, and shipping
-3 – <4 (37-48 Months) 50% Off MSRP, Customer pays all shipping
-4 – <5 (49-60 Months) 40% Off MSRP, Customer pays all shipping
-5 (61 + Months) 30% Off MSRP, Customer pays)

Should this add any real weight to going one way or the other?

Looks like they are effectively selling you an insurance policy.

 

[Mberlin74]

Looks like they are effectively selling you an insurance policy.

Agreed. And I’ll pay for it every day of the week. One of the guys in my riding group had a very bad crash last fall. It was 100% his own fault. Knowing this Zipp still sent him 2 brand new complete wheels for free. He just had to send his old wheels back to them.
And he had them at his door in less than 2 weeks!
Im ok with paying extra for some assurance that if something happens down the line I have some protection.
Both wheels are excellent. I know this and im sure is be happy with either one. Enve just seem to have the edge from all that I’ve read and seen. They’re 100 grams heavier and a little more expensive and have a good warranty. Just not as good as Zipp.
Just need to work out which to go with.

 

[Mberlin74]

Only you can answer this question.

I know. It’s just nice to have some additional input when spending on wheels that cost a lot. I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

 

[SPlKE]

Dumb off topic reply:

When I see this thread title, in some part of my brain, I expect to hear that SRAM said "Que sera, sera...."

 

[jta]

How big of a deal is the warranty difference between-
Zipp (lifetime replacement crash protection) and
Enve (<3 Years (0-36 Months) No charge on the specific damaged component – Customer responsible for costs related to parts (ex. spokes, nipples), labor, and shipping
-3 – <4 (37-48 Months) 50% Off MSRP, Customer pays all shipping
-4 – <5 (49-60 Months) 40% Off MSRP, Customer pays all shipping
-5 (61 + Months) 30% Off MSRP, Customer pays)

Should this add any real weight to going one way or the other?

FYI, Zipp relies on their authorized retailers to handle lifetime warranty claims. I had a set of CF bars fail and was instructed by ZIpp/SRAM to contact the retailer, so how the claim is handled may be per discretion of your LBS. My bars were purchased from Competitive Cyclist, who gave me a store credit for the entire value of the bars a few years after purchase.

I also have a set of 4-year-old ENVES with DT Swiss 240s and they've been absolutely reliable.

 

[Mberlin74]

I also have a set of 4-year-old ENVES with DT Swiss 240s and they've been absolutely reliable.

Do you have the 2.3’s or the 3.4’s?

 

[jta]

Do you have the 2.3’s or the 3.4’s?

SES 3.4 Gen 3. Nice mid-depth all-rounder. Note I have the rim brake version that were optimized for 25mm tires. My guess is that the newer disc version will accommodate wider tires.

 

[jta]

I got the ENVEs from Competitive Cyclist that were built with the DT Swiss hubs on sale for $1600 (USD). I took a peek at their site and they have SES 3.4s with alloy ENVE hubs on sale for $2167. (2 in stock as of this post).

ENVE SES 3.4 Disc Brake Wheelset - Tubeless - Components

Buy the ENVE SES 3.4 Disc Brake Wheelset - Tubeless online or shop all Components from Competitivecyclist.com.

www.competitivecyclist.com

Not by any means endorsing ENVE over Zipp, but if you're looking...

Correction: Alloy hubs, not the carbon fiber hubs per the original post. These seem to be close-outs as ENVE introduces a new generation.

 

[Mberlin74]

Not by any means endorsing ENVE over Zipp, but if you're looking...

You mentioned that they were absolutely reliable. I know that there are many other wheels that are reliable and there’s obviously more reasons to consider other than just reliable, but to me reliability is pretty big. What are the reasons that you wouldn’t endorse them?

 

[jta]

Ah sorry, I did not mean to imply that I am unhappy with the enves - they’re fantastic wheels. Great ride quality, lively and responsive, holds speed nicely. I originally mentioned the Enve wheelset since you were trying to decide on DT Swiss 240s or 180s. The 240s have been great.

I simply would not endorse Enve over Zipp because I have no frame of reference to compare them as I’ve only test ridden 404s.

 

[cxwrench]

FYI, Zipp relies on their authorized retailers to handle lifetime warranty claims. I had a set of CF bars fail and was instructed by ZIpp/SRAM to contact the retailer, so how the claim is handled may be per discretion of your LBS. My bars were purchased from Competitive Cyclist, who gave me a store credit for the entire value of the bars a few years after purchase.

I also have a set of 4-year-old ENVES with DT Swiss 240s and they've been absolutely reliable.

No, this is not how it works. SRAM will not deal directly with the customer, they will only talk to/deal with the dealer. BUT...that really has nothing to do w/ how the claim is handled. Nearly all warranty claims are taken care of online through SRAM's b2b. SRAM then make a decision on how they're going to take care of the issue.

 

[Mberlin74]

I was speaking to a local wheel builder in Toronto who’ been building wheels for 40+ years. He said that Enve are great rims but due to their hefty price tag I should also look at brands like Astral Veil Series. He said 10 times better and much cheaper. Also told to look at Mavic CXP. So now it’s back to mountains of post reading and reviews. If any of you have personal info with either of these rims I’d love to know your opinion.