How good are Zipp 202 hubs
08-26-15, 03:20 PM
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How good are Zipp 202 hubs
In 2013, I bought a used set of Zipp 404's tubulars which came with Zipp 202 hubs. This was my first set of carbon wheels. I use this wheel set for senior time trial racing. When I spin the wheels, they are as smooth as silk. I'm happy with this wheel set, but I'm looking for little more speed and I'm wondering if a hub upgrade is something to consider. How good are these Zipp hubs? I can't afford a new wheel set, but new hubs I could manage.
Tsapp
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08-26-15, 03:32 PM
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Tire drag is easily 10x more than drag created by the hub. Try racing tubulars, ditch tofu tires if you have them. They are crazy light, but have crazy rolling resistance.
08-27-15, 06:47 AM
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Here's the full story. I ride a custom built Seven Axium (steel) for time trialing. In addition to the Zipp 404 wheel set, I purchased a fast forward seat post, aero bars, and a ISM Adamo saddle. I use a skin suit, shoe covers, and an aero helmet. I had a professional fit last April. I'm 72 and I weigh 165 pounds. I'm working hard at losing another five pounds and getting stronger. This past season a finished second in 5k and first in the 10k at the Ohio State Senior Games. I'm not financially ready for the final step which is to get a TT bike.
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08-27-15, 10:10 AM
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As you've alluded to, the real potential to save time is a dedicated TT bike.
Upgrading the hubs would have virtually no effect, and would be costly as outlined above.
Hub friction is just such a small portion of the equation, and your hubs are already pretty decent.
Total drag of decent hubs is about 2.5 watts for both hubs. So say you could find a front hub that was 50% better than yours, (which in itself is doubtful)we're talking an improvement of less than 0.5 watts (given that more of the 2.5 watts drag comes from the rear hub). A rounding error.
Technical FAQ: How much drag can we eliminate by dropping two bearings? - VeloNews.com
Much better expenditure would be a rear disc cover. $99 bucks and is worth about 10 watts at 40km.
Even cheaper way to save more than 0.6 watts of friction: clean your chain.
Upgrading the hubs would have virtually no effect, and would be costly as outlined above.
Hub friction is just such a small portion of the equation, and your hubs are already pretty decent.
Total drag of decent hubs is about 2.5 watts for both hubs. So say you could find a front hub that was 50% better than yours, (which in itself is doubtful)we're talking an improvement of less than 0.5 watts (given that more of the 2.5 watts drag comes from the rear hub). A rounding error.
Technical FAQ: How much drag can we eliminate by dropping two bearings? - VeloNews.com
Much better expenditure would be a rear disc cover. $99 bucks and is worth about 10 watts at 40km.
Even cheaper way to save more than 0.6 watts of friction: clean your chain.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
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Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-27-15 at 10:13 AM.
08-27-15, 02:16 PM
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I'm REALLY a fanatic about a clean bike and drive train. Haven't thought much about wheel covers. I'm assuming Zipp makes such a thing (I'm about to look at their website) or do I go with another brand? Who installs it? LBS, Wheel Builder, me?
08-27-15, 02:31 PM
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Ultra-Fast Optimised Chains - CeramicSpeed
Possible 5 watt savings, relatively cheap.
Possible 5 watt savings, relatively cheap.
08-28-15, 07:05 AM
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FWIW, on a 2-year-old set of Zipp 202 wheels (clincher) I broke the flange of the rear hub this summer. Bike shop guy said they had to send a bunch of these back for repair. Mine was fixed under warranty, but when I got it back the hub was of a newer/beefier design for where the spokes attached to the flange.
