fcriscuo

I just received a new set of Campagnolo Zonda C17 disc brake wheels. Based on the smooth and curved inner rim surface, I assumed that rim strips were not necessary. But the Technical Specifications in the User Manual specifies a 20.5 mm rim strip. I can't see what benefit adding a rim strip might provide. I know this is a very popular wheelset so I would appreciate hearing if other users installed a rim strip. Thanks in advance.

Litespud

I interpret this as “if you insist on using rim strips, 20.5mm is the widest you should use to avoid interfering with tire installation”. I’ve been running Zonda C17s without rim strips for the last ~10,000 miles. I do have a ~2” piece of rim strip (Velox) spanning the valve hole, to prevent any rubbing at the edge of the hole. Don’t know if this is even necessary, but I don’t see any downside. Otherwise no rim strips, no problems. Nice affordable reasonably light (1560g/pr) Al wheels.

Snowflake6

No rim strips on my Zonda's either, and nothing at the valve hole. No issues for two years of riding, well in excess of 8000km. Love my Zondas, although the manual said rider weight limit was somewhere around 170lb... I just managed to squeak under 175 this year, but i'm not telling my rims that.

The bigger question in my mind is, why aren't these wheels good for going tubeless? Campagnolo says no, but their construction seems to suggest they'd be fine... The only hole is the valve stem, wouldn't a TL tire seal really well if you installed a TL valve?

Litespud

The manual says 240lb max, but that riders 180+ should be more vigilant and inspect the wheels more frequently. FWIW I’m ~185 and ride 25mm tires @~90 psi. ~10k miles in and no issues

fcriscuo

Thanks for the replies. I like the idea of using some rim tape near the valve stem hole.

ThermionicScott 

Ensuring that the valve hole doesn't have any sharp burrs, maybe giving it a light chamfer, is all you should need to do.

tomato coupe

I asked Campy about that several years ago. I don't have a copy of their response anymore, but I remember two issues they cited: the rim isn't sealed at the weld, and the rim profile isn't correct for tubeless.

Snowflake6

You're right... I remembered the limit was something like 5lb lighter than I was, which was about 185 when I bought them. I'm 175 now. Rode 25's on them for about a year, then switched to 28's instead... Sooo much nicer with 28's.

DaveSSS 

Absolutely no point is using rim strips with zondas or any Campy/Fulcrum wheels without holes for nipple access. Zondas are not tubeless ready. I use Fulcrum racing 3 DB wheels that are tubeless ready with no rim strip required. I use michelin tubeless tires.

j18ter

Without rim tape the inner tube is in direct contact with the aluminium rim bed, which can get hot from sustained breaking if rim breaks are used, especially during long and steep descents. Continental tires come with strong warnings about this, and recommend using rim tape even on rims without exposed holes.

fcriscuo

Thanks for the information. I can appreciate how prolonged braking with rim brakes could cause thermal stresses for the tube. My bike has disc brakes. I have used the Zonda wheels without rim strips for several months now without any issues. My usual ride includes a long descent (and ultimately ascent), that's posted as a 7% grade. Overall I consider the Zonda wheelset to have been a great upgrade.