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Zipp's, holy cow....

722 Views 4 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Monte, Dec 20, 2005

Monte

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2005

Been seeing them here and there on some endurance racer's bikes, just found the prices today, better be winning some races to rationalize getting those.

Monte

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mikesee

· #2 · Dec 19, 2005

Monte said:
Been seeing them here and there on some endurance racer's bikes, just found the prices today, better be winning some races to rationalize getting those.

Monte

Retail prices for the Zipp's are high. They can be found (consistently) for much less on eBay and RBR. My experience is that they last longer, require less maintenance, and are lighter than most 'standard' wheels, including handbuilt and/or 'package' wheels like Crossmax/Ksyrium. Admittedly, it's difficult to justify the $$ to try them out, but I'm glad I did. I've consistently raced on them since 2001.

Unless they suddenly change their manufacturing processes and (in the process) start turning out some really bad rims, I can see no reason to use anything else for racing or standard xc use. They're a bit narrow for AM/FR type riding.

MC

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Monte

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 19, 2005

mikesee said:
Retail prices for the Zipp's are high. They can be found (consistently) for much less on eBay and RBR. My experience is that they last longer, require less maintenance, and are lighter than most 'standard' wheels, including handbuilt and/or 'package' wheels like Crossmax/Ksyrium. Admittedly, it's difficult to justify the $$ to try them out, but I'm glad I did. I've consistently raced on them since 2001.

Unless they suddenly change their manufacturing processes and (in the process) start turning out some really bad rims, I can see no reason to use anything else for racing or standard xc use. They're a bit narrow for AM/FR type riding.

MC

Hey Mike,
I've seen them mostly on your bikes, then I went looking for prices. I found them on eBay and retail, less expensive on eBay, but still expensive.

I've found only 2 riders that have anything written about the rims, if even just to mention the model, you and John Weirath. He's running the 404's, and I think you run the 505's. Can't find 404's on Zipp's web site, older model? The 505's are there. You both run disc's and Zipp "doesn't do mountain bike" anymore, but they must be holding up well for you.

Do you think they'd take the extra abuse of an 8" rotor on the front of a 29er? And what models are mtb disc brake worthy?

Monte

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mikesee

· #4 · Dec 19, 2005

Monte said:
Hey Mike,
I've seen them mostly on your bikes, then I went looking for prices. I found them on eBay and retail, less expensive on eBay, but still expensive.

I've found only 2 riders that have anything written about the rims, if even just to mention the model, you and John Weirath. He's running the 404's, and I think you run the 505's. Can't find 404's on Zipp's web site, older model? The 505's are there. You both run disc's and Zipp "doesn't do mountain bike" anymore, but they must be holding up well for you.

Do you think they'd take the extra abuse of an 8" rotor on the front of a 29er? And what models are mtb disc brake worthy?

Monte

Monte-

404=505. Same 58mm deep 700c rim. I know of (personally) about 8-9 riders that use these wheels for race use. 7 (or 8) of them are using discs with 6" rotors.

The spoke lengths are so short (~244) that you don't get a whole lotta windup in the spokes from braking. I ran 8" rotors on a set of 404's on my Behemoth for about a week this summer. Ended up taking them off because I had to run tire pressure higher than I wanted to, simply to keep the tire from squirming.

I had built that setup (8" Zipps/Behemoth) specifically for using in the alpine (Crested Butte, Telluride, Durango, etc...) but never did use them there. I realized that I prefer my short travel Leviathan in the mountains. I run my Lev with 7" rotors on Zipp 505's about 90% of the time. No problems in 4 years (2 on the Lev, 2 on various hardtails and softtails) of disc-brake use.

A big lightbulb went on in my head on a ride last August. I realized that the most precise handling wheels needed to be matched with the most precise handling fork for optimum effect. See photo. Aesthetics be damned--this setup is my favorite riding, most versatile performing bike. Ever.

Zipp doesn't warranty any of their rims for disc brake use. My experience is that the 505 and 415 work very well. I laced up a set of 417's last night, and will (weather permitting) christen them on the White Rim on Weds. I'll let you know how they hold up--in a few years.

MC

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Monte

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 20, 2005

Thanks Mike. I've got a BW 1.0 waiting for a frame, close to the fork in your picture. Zipp's would be cool, I'll be keeping the eye out. But I'm sure a lot of other people are too.

Monte

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Zipp's, holy cow....

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