Originally Posted by
Brian Ratliff
If going through all the bother with a $2k wheelset, you would be better served to go tubular. 1650 grams seems light until you compare it to the 1278 grams of the tubular version. That's almost a full pound less weight and the "hassle" of tubulars doesn't really apply to race wheels. And I wouldn't even think of using a $1-2k wheelset as an "everyday" wheelset. I save the everyday stuff for the $250 32 spoke sets I get from Performance.
That's what I used to think, until I rode and raced Zipp 404 clinchers for a year. I love the tubulars, I still use them, but man they can be a friggin monumental pain in the ass. The only time the lighter weight really seems to matter is going up grades that are 7%+, or maybe sprinting up hill. Those 404 clinchers are fast, and in some respects the heavier weight almost seems to lend them momentum on the flats and down hills. Amazing wheels, you'd have to ride them for a while to get the picture. I like having that aero wheel but not having to worry about it when I'm out on an 80 mile day.
For pure racing, where flat repair isn't an issue, tubulars are hard to argue with. Do what Uncle Pcad does. Own both. 404 tubulars (used a couple of years back on eBay for $1200 or so) and 404 clinchers with a Powertap (from Psimet last year, new).