bryceman

I am looking at getting some tubulars for races (Crit, Road Race and Triathalon) this year and am looking at two options. Since I am on a budget, I have found a couple different sets to look at .. but the best two options are the following: 2009 Neuvation C38's and ~2004 Zipp 404 non-dimpled. They both are in pretty good shape and come with decent tires, but will need a reglue.

So the question comes down to this -- what size rim is best for my needs? This will be a race day wheelset and a bulk of events will not be hill climbing. I am leaning towards the 404's since they will give a better aero advantage vs the weight savings.

Thoughts?

Cdy291

I would go with the Zipps and expect to replace the bearings as well.

Ofcourse you might be able to get some new Williams wheels for about the same price you are paying for those. The last I checked new 50mm Neuvation tubulars were around $670 shipped.

bryceman

What kind of cost is to be expected with those bearings? Would you do a full set Front and Rear? Depending on the cost, going with a newer set might be ideal.

coachboyd

Bearings are pretty cheap, but a wheelset from 2004 could be pretty risky. There are tons of things that could have happened to the wheelset in the past 8 years. Buying very old wheels with an unknown past just for the name on the sticker may not be your best investment.

bryceman

Aside from the age of them though .. what size rim is really ideal for what I have noted I would want them for? Is 38mm really too small of a rim to make it worth while?

coachboyd

The depth would probably be ideal (the 404's are 58mm deep). This is a good wheelset for somebody looking at doing time trials and crits. Depending on the road races you are doing they will probably be good (unless it's really hilly). For most of the road races I do, I use 58mm tubulars. Once the road races get to be quite hilly I switch over to something lighter. But since you are saying that most of your events will not be hilly, I would look at aerodynamics as a key feature.

f/64

Perfect setup I went with -
Edge 38 or 45 front depending on ride & Edge 65 rear all tubular (veloflex carbon) & it sure is lovely.
When it comes to crits or flats, 65's both front & rear. Toughest tubs I've had so far..

tony chen

tubular is cheap and proffessional. i like 38 front+50mm rear. it is good for Hill-climbing

kleinboogie

Deeper is better but I agree that old used wheels are risky.

bryceman

Thanks all for the feedback. The ZIPP's werent in as great of shape as I had liked and the Neuvation's are just not deep enough to make it worth while. Will keep my eyes out for another set of 50+ wheels and make a decision at that point.

SushiJoe

This. ^^