Buddy_Lee

Actually, I had the chance to purchase a set of these wheels at cost and passed. Thats one of the benifits of actually racing and doing well on occasion Like I said before (if you bothered to read the rest of my post), I wasn't impressed by the durability (or lack there-of) of the Zipp rims.

I am not a bike snob. I wave and smile to people on any bike including Huffys that I pass while out training. I think its great that they are out getting some exercise. I have happily shown more than one newbie and/or junior racer the ropes of riding in a group, fixing a flat, etc. I hate bike snobs just as much as the rest of you out there; they make our sport look bad while discouraging people from getting into cycling in the first place.

But, I just really can not stand posers that would rather look fast than actually go fast. To me, they are the other side of the same coin as the bike snobs. They buy all this expensive gear and then get dropped on the first hard climb of a group ride. Like Lance's book says "Its Not About The Bike". You also must be able to apply some power to the pedals. Maybe that's why some recreational cyclists think racers are snobs; because we aren't impressed with their expensive equipment. In order to get the respect of a racer, you must earn it by pedalling your bike. Its like class... you can't buy it. If you think you can go fast, great... prove it - pin that number on, enter a race.

Speaking of Lance, IMHO what TiCarbo should do (since he is soooo passionate about the cause) is buy a nice, light set of alloy clinchers and donate the remaining $600 of his wheel budget to the LAF.

- Buddy Lee
does not just want to "look fast"

ps. Calling someone a "Fred" makes you look a bike snob.

MtnMan

and calling somebody a poser while bragging about one's ability is what? Elitism?

I'm sure you are a very fine rider who could drop most anyone on this forum. My only point is that if someone has the money and they want to buy some bling, bling; more power to 'em. Good for them, good for the industry.

You're sick of beginners owning expensive equipment because you don't feel they deserve it. I'm sick of people telling other people what they do, or don't, deserve.

peace out.

BlueDevil

So, out of curiosity- who made you the authority on what equipment a given level rider should ride? Heck, my first bike was a '02 LeMond Tourmalet- it was definitely more bike than I needed at the time.. and since then, I have *gasp* upgraded the components to ultegra/dura ace, and the wheels to a set of Shimano 7701's. Do I use the equipment to its fullest? Heck no.. I could probably bike the same speeds (a modest 17-19mph depending on the ride) on the stock equipment. Do I enjoy my new equipment? The DA/Ultegra stuff sure shifts a heck of a lot easier than that old Tiagra stuff, and the wheels, well, they have a bit more zip than the stock ones, and I enjoy them more. Am I trying to impress anyone with my equipment? No.. I am just a bit of a bike geek, and love new equipment.

If I had the money (which I dont), I probably would go ahead and get that LeMond Tete De Course I have been drooling over at the bike shop, and would probably get something along the lines of these Zipp wheels.. not to race, but to go out and cycle on. In your eyes, I am probably not worthy, but it is my pocket book, my azz in the saddle, and my legs turning the pedals on MY bike upwards of 175 miles per week, so I'll get whatever the heck I want.

Ti-Carbo

Hey Buddy Lee - Check out Relay for life https://www.cancer.org/docroot/GI/gi_1.asp?sitearea=GI my mother enters every year. It helps her in ways I can't explain. I sponser her team every year. They are people she has met thru the relays and https://www.abta.org/

I attended the first couple relays with her, but it was not for me. I think the memories are just a bit to much. I try and do what I can in other ways.

The relays can become very emotional when you see all Luminaries and realize that it represents someone who passed due to cancer. The upside is that these people walk a track for 24 hours straight, and raise money to help those who need it and offer support to people who are going thru the same path in life.

I'm not much for slinging crap on the Internet and I come to this site to get news, tips and tricks, and general banter. I never thought a question about a wheelset would go here.

Good luck with your racing.

Ride Safe,
Ti-Carbo

Buddy_Lee

That's cool.

I to have a lot of respect for LA, though I do think a lot of p33ps are jumping on the cycling bandwagon because of him. Not that that's a bad thing. I'll just be real curious how many of them actually stick with it once LA starts losing; which is enevitable as time waits for no one.

Last year my uncle died from lung cancer caused by years of smoking. I gave him LA's first book in the belief that it just might give him some hope and the will to keep fighting. But I guess the disease was too far advanced when discovered, he wasn't as young or in as good of shape as LA, nor did he have the monetary resources to hire the best doctors. The sad part is that he brought it on himself by smoking.

You go ahead and spend your money how you like. I just thought I would offer my insight, FWIW.
IMHO, you'd be better off with a set of light clinchers as they would be less delicate. But if you are a light rider, are real gentle on your equipment, never ride in a group, or ride on perfect roads, then you might never have any problems with the Zipps. Also, the clinchers might not break as easily as the tubular rims which I saw breaking as (I beleive) they have an allow breaking surface.

Good luck,

- Buddy "likes old school equipment 'cause it lasts" Lee

Fat Hack

BOOOM!! His head-light looked like shooting star, it was moving away so quickly

You're right, of course. He could've been particularly shy, or manic depressive, or whatever.
There's obviously stacks of reasons people don't wanna talk.

53-11_alltheway

The Zipps just look cool. I think if I ever get a bling wheelset I'll go for the Zipps.(I like how they use regular spokes too)

All this talk about X wheelset being .5 or 1.0 mph faster than another wheelset....that's stretching the truth by a mile...literally. But who cares those rims are the best looking rims on the market and a lot of people drop almost as much money on wheels but don't gain the bling factor.

Those are cool too. Too bad they use special spokes.