Alright folks..I've been given the green light. Zipp 404, Campy Bora One, Mad Fiber?
01-17-12, 07:50 PM
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Alright folks..I've been given the green light. Zipp 404, Campy Bora One, Mad Fiber?
My girlfriend (almost fiance) always told me I can get myself some super nice wheels when I propose to her. We've been together almost 7 years now. She just finished her degree in December and we're relocating to NC for my job. Let's just say she's been waiting a long time and I'm lucky she's still with me. I let her help me pick out the ring and she held up to her end of the deal. I get my wheels.
So, the bikes: Look 595 and Cannondale caad9
I was in the process of switching from SRAM to Campy, so neither frameset is built up right now. I have a Record 11 group that is going on the caad9. Probably going to wait for EPS to come out before I build up the 595.
This leads me to the wheel problem:
Campagnolo Bora One? - it would look nice with a Campy group, but it seems like it has a generic open-mold rim shape.
Zipp 404 FC tubular? - probably the most advanced aero rim out there with practical and easy to acquire cx ray spokes. this is what i'm leaning towards at the moment.
Madfiber? - these wheels look sick in photos, but some of the pictures out there showing the exterior hub shell construction makes me question the quality and finish of the product. I've also read that they "aren't the stiffest." yet, for some reason I still want them.
Then there's the prices. Boras can be had new for $1700. I can't find Madfiber wheels in stock anywhere for less than the full MSRP of $2600. Zipps vary and it's possible to snag a great deal on eBay, but right now I can't find the Firecrest tubular w/ the silver Campy hub for less than $2300. Lots to think about here. Any advice for me?
So, the bikes: Look 595 and Cannondale caad9
I was in the process of switching from SRAM to Campy, so neither frameset is built up right now. I have a Record 11 group that is going on the caad9. Probably going to wait for EPS to come out before I build up the 595.
This leads me to the wheel problem:
Campagnolo Bora One? - it would look nice with a Campy group, but it seems like it has a generic open-mold rim shape.
Zipp 404 FC tubular? - probably the most advanced aero rim out there with practical and easy to acquire cx ray spokes. this is what i'm leaning towards at the moment.
Madfiber? - these wheels look sick in photos, but some of the pictures out there showing the exterior hub shell construction makes me question the quality and finish of the product. I've also read that they "aren't the stiffest." yet, for some reason I still want them.
Then there's the prices. Boras can be had new for $1700. I can't find Madfiber wheels in stock anywhere for less than the full MSRP of $2600. Zipps vary and it's possible to snag a great deal on eBay, but right now I can't find the Firecrest tubular w/ the silver Campy hub for less than $2300. Lots to think about here. Any advice for me?
01-17-12, 08:00 PM
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Boras are solid, but not spectacular wheels. They were my racewheels last season and are reasonably light and stiff, but there are better aero choices. Zipp FC's are great wheels as are HED Stingers, and I've had good and bad luck with Reynolds wheels. I would also look at the Enve offerings. A lot would depend on what you are doing with the wheels.
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01-17-12, 08:03 PM
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I would go with the Boras. Campy hubs are very smooth, and those wheels are very durable by all accounts. Use the money you will be saving on some nice tires (and a fancy dinner with your girlfriend for putting up with you for so long).
01-17-12, 08:25 PM
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this.
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01-17-12, 08:30 PM
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Add the $2500 you would otherwise spend on the wheels to the budget for the engagement ring.
You'll get more mileage for years out of the gesture than any set of wheels.
You'll get more mileage for years out of the gesture than any set of wheels.
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01-17-12, 09:20 PM
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01-17-12, 10:07 PM
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01-17-12, 10:08 PM
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Campy Boras...but they would look so much better on a Colnago, De Rosa, etc...
01-17-12, 10:13 PM
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OP - if i had the money and was choosing from the three options you gave, it wouldn't even be a decision. zipps are fastest.
curious - why is it a no brainer? i'll admit i don't know much about them except that they're light, so how do their aerodynamics compare to zipp/hed? are they shaped the same way?
curious - why is it a no brainer? i'll admit i don't know much about them except that they're light, so how do their aerodynamics compare to zipp/hed? are they shaped the same way?
01-17-12, 10:41 PM
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01-17-12, 10:50 PM
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Leaving weight aside, take a look at 1) durability 2) quality of construction 3) stiffness.
I have no idea about aerodynamics. I don't ride wheels deeper than 30mm, including the break track.
All I'm saying is that if I were to have any carbon set of wheels (including Boras or Hyperons nonetheless - says a lot since I'm a Campy fanboy), they'd be ENVE's.
Also, having worked in the cycling industry, try calling up Enve for a warranty replacement and then call up Zipp. The difference is huge.
Edit: Check out the aero data on Enve Smart systems.
I have no idea about aerodynamics. I don't ride wheels deeper than 30mm, including the break track.
All I'm saying is that if I were to have any carbon set of wheels (including Boras or Hyperons nonetheless - says a lot since I'm a Campy fanboy), they'd be ENVE's.
Also, having worked in the cycling industry, try calling up Enve for a warranty replacement and then call up Zipp. The difference is huge.
Edit: Check out the aero data on Enve Smart systems.
also keep in mind that the enve 6.7 is a 60/70mm deep profile, compared to the 404 (58) and stinger 6 (60). so they are obviously well-engineered and designed, but given that, it's not too surprising that they would win this test.
they're all fast, obviously. and by the way, OP - any reason hed stingers aren't on your list as well?
01-17-12, 11:12 PM
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OP, i would not worry about the quality of the Mad Fiber hubs (which i believe are White Industries). White Industries makes beautiful, and very good quality components.
01-17-12, 11:21 PM
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Hey everyone, I really appreciate all the comments so far. Keep 'em coming. This is no easy decision!
Yeah, right! The price of these wheels pales in comparison to what a fancy pebble cost me.
I honestly haven't looked into the HED's at all. I take it they are supposed to be good wheels then?
I really like the Enve 6.7's. I saw them in person on a SuperSix Evo and the combination was stunning. The only thing about these is that I've owned a set of Reynolds mv32c ul wheels that had the same DT 240s hubs and comparable spokes. I payed $1200 for them brand new (competitive cyclist had a 50% off sale) and they weren't exactly impressive. Went really out of true rather quickly. I can't imagine paying $2900 for essentially the same thing with a different rim. Although the Enve's look cooler IMO, I think I'd still take the 404's because of the in-house Zipp hubs and significantly lighter overall weight (almost 200 grams lighter).
I really like the Enve 6.7's. I saw them in person on a SuperSix Evo and the combination was stunning. The only thing about these is that I've owned a set of Reynolds mv32c ul wheels that had the same DT 240s hubs and comparable spokes. I payed $1200 for them brand new (competitive cyclist had a 50% off sale) and they weren't exactly impressive. Went really out of true rather quickly. I can't imagine paying $2900 for essentially the same thing with a different rim. Although the Enve's look cooler IMO, I think I'd still take the 404's because of the in-house Zipp hubs and significantly lighter overall weight (almost 200 grams lighter).
01-17-12, 11:24 PM
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Btw, if anyone has a good source for any of the wheels being discussed at a better than average price, please share if you don't mind. A good price could sway me one way or another very quickly.
01-17-12, 11:33 PM
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My girlfriend (almost fiance) always told me I can get myself some super nice wheels when I propose to her. We've been together almost 7 years now. She just finished her degree in December and we're relocating to NC for my job. Let's just say she's been waiting a long time and I'm lucky she's still with me. I let her help me pick out the ring and she held up to her end of the deal. I get my wheels.
And when you close the deals, please post pics of the wheels, the woman and the ring.
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01-17-12, 11:44 PM
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Hey thanks for sharing your experiences, DRietz. Why isn't the Zipp hub as good? They look pretty darn fancy and well made to me. I tried to find info on how many bearings the Zipp and DT hubs use, but couldn't find anything to confirm. Again, the Enve's look sweet, but it's hard to justify spending $3000 on them for some reason.
I'd love to see a recently manufactured MadFiber wheelset up close and inspect the finish. They are $2600, however slightly more exotic than the other choices.
I'd love to see a recently manufactured MadFiber wheelset up close and inspect the finish. They are $2600, however slightly more exotic than the other choices.
01-17-12, 11:47 PM
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Because I haven't officially asked her on one knee! Haha. I'll be sure to do that if she lets me.
01-17-12, 11:54 PM
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Hey thanks for sharing your experiences, DRietz. Why isn't the Zipp hub as good? They look pretty darn fancy and well made to me. I tried to find info on how many bearings the Zipp and DT hubs use, but couldn't find anything to confirm. Again, the Enve's look sweet, but it's hard to justify spending $3000 on them for some reason.
I'd love to see a recently manufactured MadFiber wheelset up close and inspect the finish. They are $2600, however slightly more exotic than the other choices.
I'd love to see a recently manufactured MadFiber wheelset up close and inspect the finish. They are $2600, however slightly more exotic than the other choices.
https://whiteind.com/
01-18-12, 12:22 AM
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go to https://www.zencyclery.com/
and get a quote for Enve 6.7 Alchemy Hubs and CXRay spokes
and get a quote for Enve 6.7 Alchemy Hubs and CXRay spokes