ColinL

this is what DDF was referring to in his reply.
https://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...earance_222774

might cause you to favor a 303 front, 404 rear.

Silvercivic27

Oh man, well if that's the case I'd go 303/404 in the OPs situation. . .

jtwilson

OP, have you considered the ENVE 3.4 clinchers? I am riding the 6.7 tubulars currently and they are super nice.

valygrl

Decision made: 303 front 404 rear.

The clearance on the rear 303 was marginal, so I wrote that off. The frame is a 2011 Scott CR1 SL.

My test ride yesterday, in moderately windy conditions with a 303 front & very deep Enve rear wheel (the system 6.7 rear wheel) was interesting. I did feel the rear getting pushed around a bit, that is too deep a wheel for me for regular use, but it was manageable, and the 404 is much shallower than that Enve rim. The front was remarkably stable. Could be placebo effect or wishful thinking, but it felt more predictable than my Kinlin XR-270/CX-Ray front wheel, and about the same as my 23mm velomax. I did a 55 mile ride with 4000' climb/descend, plenty of crosswind corners on the descent, and a 10 mile flat sidewind section. So I think it was a decent test.

RE: wheelbuilder price, as stanseven said, it's about getting exactly the wheel I want at a reasonable price, not about getting something close at a great price.

DropDeadFred

• Warranty coverage for use in Gran Fondos, Centuries, and Alpine tours is specifically excluded. Rides such as these regularly require riders to limit their speed down hills for significant periods of time, which dramatically increases the risk of rim damage. Some of these events have begun to exclude use of carbon clinchers by participants.
• Heat related damage when used by riders weighing over 200 pounds is specifically excluded.
• Use in events with downhill neutral roll outs is specifically excluded.

The fact that the wheels have such huge limitations devalues the crap out of them IMO....why pay 1000 bucks for a set of wheels you can use in the flats as long as you don't reach high speeds and use your brakes a lot.....

yesterday I did some pretty long descending and I was scared on my zipps to put them through the test, but I gotta say, when I got to the bottom I pulled over to check everything out and feel the wheels and they weren't overheated at all...lightly warm to the touch but it made me feel safe to know they handled it well...

I would feel the same on most other newer name brand carbon clinchers and tubulars.

valygrl

Update:

303/404 combo in hand.

Rode 'em in the State TT champs yesterday, 10 mph wind, they were awesome.

Rode 'em uphill today, they were not manageable in 40 mph gusts, I cut my ride short. They definitely handle differently than my 27mm rims and are going to take some getting used to, but I would have bailed on that wind with my old wheels too.

I want to ride them in some "normal" wind, now, like 20mph.

sbxx1985 

Congrats on the purchase. I think you'll be happy. 40mph gusts suck for everyone. I heard it was bad on Peak to Peak.

For the most part, we beat the wind today. Rode the 65s.

sbxx1985 

What front hub did you use?

HokuLoa

Nice, congrats! 40mph gusts... yeah I'm loathing the decision to ride when done with other tasks today. How'd the TT go??

valygrl

sbxx: yeah, I reconned the Horgan route until about 2 miles into the dirt, and got blown to a halt. I got the factory Zipp front wheel through the team pricing (thanks team! thanks bike shop!!!!) and matched the spokes (cx-ray) for the rear wheel.

HokuLoa - TT went OK, it was my first 40K TT and I still have a lot to learn about pacing. I seem to be turning in low-mid-pack TT results every time.

rangerdavid

dang, I'd LOVE to have a set of firecrest 303 tubies......... IMHO, the perfect wheel for climbing, crosswinds, downhills, etc.