kdogkodiak

Assuming the Assaults can be had for about $1000 new and a set of used Zipp 404 clinchers can be found for about $1200 (2009 or 2010), which would you choose and why? These will be for "everyday riding," (I want to enjoy these wheels as often as possible, not save them for "special rides.")

DrPete 

I absolutely love 404's but would never use them for everyday riding. They're actually pretty durable but the idea of a cracked rim being a $500 expense for everyday riding is a little too insane for me. There are lots of really, really nice alloy-rimmed wheels out there that won't break the bank to fix.

Also, being really anal about my wheels, I would never buy used CF wheels unless it was from someone I knew was as anal about their equipment as I am.

kimconyc

Zipp 404's, assuming they are in good condition.

Reasons:
- Aluminum braking surface
- Better hubs
- Higher schwag status

Take a look into Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR's.

You have to understand, however, like DrPete said, that you are assuming a higher financial cost to ride these kind of wheels for everyday riding.

If you can afford it in terms of time and money, I would look into tubulars.

/flamesuit on

Velo Gator

The older Zipps are heavy(er) and have an aluminum braking surface. The Assaults are all carbon. I love my Assaults. I had to make the same decision as you, and went with the Assaults.

Chris R.

I have both sets you are looking at and i can tell you this:
the Assaults are lighter and roll really well and have stood up to Montreal roads and races just fine. The only problem is truing them and I had a bit of a time getting them right when new. Now they are good and I have not touched them all season. You have to remove the tires to true them...more of a pain. The assaults stop really well in the dry, not too good in the wet...

The 404's are a bit heavier but are supposed to be more aero (i use them on different bikes so it's tough to compare), they stop well wet or dry (or at least consistently...), I'm not as concerned to go through the braking surface as I am on the reynolds (they are full carbon). These were more expensive...
(Zipp's on the Colnago and Assault on the tarmac pro)
Honestly, I would have no problem suggesting the Reynolds and getting new wheels.

kdogkodiak

Good points and input, so far. As far as "everyday riding," they are not goint to see a ton of mileage (maybe 100 miles/week, no time to ride more). I'm not real concerned about the difference in weight. Good roads and good weather around here (San Diego).

kimconyc

If you only ride 100 miles/week and don't ride in the rain/snow, Reynolds.

Wasn't it raining a ton the last few weeks over there?

kdogkodiak

Has been raining a ton! (by San Diego standards). Hence, all this time to shop for new wheels and post on BF.

Rutnick

I have ridden assaults on one bike as my EVERYDAY wheel for a year now. They've held up great and I've been seeing them in the 800ish range lately. Jenson USA had them for about $800 not too long ago and I think they still have the attacks for that much.

I'd buy them again. With that said, my team got a team deal with Boyd Wheels so I'm running their 50mm tubulars for road racing/cross this year and their alloy clinchers for everything else.

Not sure what I'm going to do with the Reynonds.

kdogkodiak

Wow, at $800 I think the decision would be made for me! Haven't been able to find them that low.

Rutnick

shop around. I got mine for not much more than that in another team deal early this year.

kleinboogie

I only ride my 2010 404's now and they can absolutely be ridden everyday. Get them used on Ebay. $1200 is a good deal and at that price there's no reason not to use them. GL

hoody

ridden my reynolds dv46t for over 20,000 km. Only needed to true one wheel once. I ride them as my every day wheels.

chicagogal

also had to make that decision, and went with the assaults. I haven't been disappointed.

patentcad

404 clinchers don't break much. I ride them a lot for training. 404 tubulars break more often, but even those are pretty durable. Lots of racing dudes I know around here train on these wheels. It's not a big problem.

So relax.

patentcad

Correct.

kdogkodiak

I was wondering when Pcad was gonna chime in! Shocking that he voted for the Zipps!

Mansram01

Just got my Assaults mounted and ready to ride! From all of the research I did, I think I'll be pleased. I'd be a little concerned about buying used carbon plus I do prefer an all carbon wheelset versus the aluminum braking surface on the Zipps.

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