Chris R.

I have mentioned twice that i would be racing some crits and road races on them. My "need" was a wheel that is durable, affordable and that I can train and race on in Quebec...think Beirut style roads...

RParker

When I bought mine in 2008 it was for one year. They also have a crash replacement policy that isn't bad when considering the cost of the wheels. Don't ask me how I Know. The problem I had would have destroyed any rim i would have been riding.

ColorChange

Train on my 404's on some really ... really bad roads. Have probably 10k+ miles on my 404's and just having the rear bearings replaced. They may have been overtightened. The fronts are fine. Have never needed to true the wheels.

bikeybikebike

Animated Face-palm. Very nice.

umd

must have been one face-palm too many...

MrCrassic 

I second this; a guy I raced with cracked his Zipps in one accident. I guess it must've not been too bad though, since he bought another pair

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patentcad

So what are the specifics of the Zipp crash replacement program?

Grumpy McTrumpy

I thought they just charged you like 500 or something to put new rims on.

DrPete 

It's like $360 for the "no-fault" rim replacement. Usually 5-7 days in house at Zipp. Thankfully I've never availed myself of that service.

UTmtnbiker

I'm having my front 303 rebuilt by Zipp this week due to crack that they determined was due to some type of pothole crash.

The LBS quoted me a price of $400 to have the wheel rebuilt by Zipp with new spokes. Not exactly what I wanted to spend 4 bills on, but all things considered, not that bad of a price for a new rim, spokes, and labor to build the wheel.

patentcad

Good program.

rasamatoo

THANK YOU

We do have the worst roads ever. They should make a show called "Québec's worst bike commute". About half a million people would send in their videos/story/pictures .

ezee

Sadly, Beirut roads are probably better than in Quebec

K-S2

Sorry I'm a little late to respond to this, but the mp3 program from mavic is supposed to handle exactly what you're talking about. I have a pair of these wheels with mp3 coverage; the roads I ride on aren't too bad but it gives a psychological boost knowing I spent more than a thousand bucks on wheels that are - in theory - easily replaced for free if they break.

Chris R.

Alright so I decided on a set of Reynolds Assault wheels...an ebay find for $1000 for the set including the brake pads, wheel tape, spoke wrench and skewers (i think).
Looking forward to trying them out!

To note: I did 2 amazing rides this weekend on great roads...IN Quebec. From Lachute to Wentworth and then to Brownsberg (lots of climbing but really pretty and good roads) and then the next day Morin-Heights to Weir on the 364 west. More climbing and great roads.

Grumpy McTrumpy

I hit a pretty big pothole today when we were doing around 30mph. The cracking carbon sound was nausea-inducing, but it was only chain slap. The 404s are just fine.

tubular - 110 psi

extreme_ride

I have heard alot of bad things about the Zipp rims and have actually seen the damage that has occured to these rims not pretty. I would recommend the Bontrager XXX race rims excellent rim for the price and are fast, also go with the tubular type. I currently have the Bontager and the Mavic Cosmic Ultimate and have had no problems with either of these rims. I have also tried the Fulcrum Racing Light another excellent rim all of these were in the tubular versions. Cheers....

DrPete 

You might want to call Zipp directly--it would seem your LBS might be factoring in shipping costs or skimming a little something off the top, because I'm fairly sure it's $360 or less for a rim replacement.

RParker

[QUOTE=patentcad;9051938]So what are the specifics of the Zipp crash replacement program?[/QUOT

I destroyed my 2008 Zed Tech 4 rear in a crit crash. I sent it to Zipp, they replaced everything except hub which they checked out and was fine. I paid 360.00, I didn't think that was to bad considering that it had nothing to do with the quality of the product.

Vireo

[QUOTE=RParker;9062833]My question would be why are you racing a Zed Tech 4 in a crit? I have a set of Zed 2's that I personally would only use on road racing and climbing events.

merlinextraligh

I have a set of Zipp 404's that I ride on everyday. Purchased in 2004, and they're still fine. I have a Zipp 404 PT wheel bought in 2006. The Aluminum nipples started corroding and breaking, and had to be replaced. No other issues with that wheel.

I bought a set of Zipp 303s in 2003 that cracked around the spokes. I believe that was a coomon problem with that rim at that time. Zipp fixed it under warranty. Happened again in 2008, out of warranty. Got a new set of Zipp 303 tubulars for $800 under a crash replacement policy. Overall i've been pleased.

RParker

[QUOTE=Vireo;9063122] To each his own I guess, but they are light spin up nice and are stiff. It is a flat course that tends to be little windy. Why would I not use them? If it is a issue of the possibility of a crash that can happen just as easy in a road race. So I guess I really don't see the point of your question, why buy the stuff if you don't plan to use it. Do I need them? No. Am I a good racer and this could give a slim advantage? No, I am slow. The truth is I like them and want to ride them. you have nice looking bike and wheels by the way.

Vireo

[QUOTE=RParker;9064210]Thank you.

I guess my perspective comes from being a new USCF racer last year (2008). I did over 25 crits and road races (mainly crits) from Feb-May and there was a crash in every race that I was in save one. I raced Cat 5 and Cat 4. Field sizes in Cat 4 and Masters were well over 70 with as many as 100. Wheels and bikes were being destroyed in those races. I raced a CAAD9 with Zipp 404 Power Tap. However, I work in a shop and could "afford" to replace the rim at my prices. But the Zed series is more expensive to replace.

I do believe in "race 'em if you got 'em". I just save my Zed Tech's for less hazardous situations...like when I get dropped in a road race

RParker

[QUOTE=Vireo;9064490] Well, you make good points as I have raced far fewer crits than you and have already destroyed a wheel. I have just done few of our local Wen. crit and the field size is much smaller. So maybe I should re think it too I took a look at your blogs by the way great stuff ! The bikes are great !

BHBiker

Velosure will fix that problem.