Zipp 303s....$380 worth it?
#1
I don't even own a cat...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 424
Bikes: 2008 LG sonix 6.4, 2002 KHS Flite 500, 1999 Big Sur Gary Fisher
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Zipp 303s....$380 worth it?
What do you guys think of the 303s? Are they worth it? Is it a good replacment for my DA 7850s? I know the DAs are very good rims but 303s for $380?
#3
I don't even own a cat...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 424
Bikes: 2008 LG sonix 6.4, 2002 KHS Flite 500, 1999 Big Sur Gary Fisher
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
They are 2004s and seem to be in very good shape. My biggest concern are the 303 reliability. I've read reviews from owners of the wheels. It ranged from great to the 303s develop cracks in the carbon around the spokes
#4
Peloton Shelter Dog
Buy the wheels you hopeless Fred.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,754
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't believe that Adama never tags that Specialist Dualla. I mean she is begging for it after that little "thing" with that young boy Billy.
#6
Peloton Shelter Dog
On second thought F buying 5 year old CF wheels.
#7
I don't even own a cat...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 424
Bikes: 2008 LG sonix 6.4, 2002 KHS Flite 500, 1999 Big Sur Gary Fisher
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One benefit of getting them is if they get damaged, I can take them right over to Zipp and not worry about shipping and all that crap.
This is why I ask. 5yr old CF wheels. The price is nice but is it worth it? I'll use the rims off my LG and put them on my older steel bike. I plan to redo the steel bike to make a nicer tourer or possible cat 5 bike. By the way what makes me a Fred? Because I ask a legitimate question?
On second thought F buying 5 year old CF wheels.
#8
bulletproof tiger
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,934
Bikes: Waterford 2200, Litespeed Tuscany, Salsa La Cruz, Kona Fire Mountain
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#9
Peloton Shelter Dog
The Whims of Pcad, that's what. Now that I have labeled you a Fred, the only BF Member who can rescind this is botto, who is currently banned, so you're screwed for the time being.
Hey I don't make the rules around here. Well, actually on the whole Fred vs. Road Nazi Trash Talk Protocol, I do, but whatever.
Hey I don't make the rules around here. Well, actually on the whole Fred vs. Road Nazi Trash Talk Protocol, I do, but whatever.
#10
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,557
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,171 Times
in
1,462 Posts
As long as the carbon is okay, you should be fine. Braking surfaces often wear out first and those wheels have Al so you should be okay. They aren't as aero as newer Zipps (38 mm verus 42).
#11
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I'd be wary of buying that old.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
#12
Peloton Shelter Dog
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#16
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,299
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1443 Post(s)
Liked 713 Times
in
367 Posts
I had Zipp 303 clinchers circa 2003. They aren't dimpled, and they aren't as deep as the current 303's.
Mine developed cracks around the spoke holes over time. (but I'm pushing the high end of a reasonable weight for these wheels)
They were past warranty, but because they were under 5 years old, I got a pair of new 303 tubulars for $800 as a "crash" replacement.
Overall I was happy with the service I got from them, and really like the new ones.
Based on my sample of one, I'd be a bit leary of buying 303's of that generation, and age. If you do, inspect the spoke holes carefully for any sign of cracking.
Mine developed cracks around the spoke holes over time. (but I'm pushing the high end of a reasonable weight for these wheels)
They were past warranty, but because they were under 5 years old, I got a pair of new 303 tubulars for $800 as a "crash" replacement.
Overall I was happy with the service I got from them, and really like the new ones.
Based on my sample of one, I'd be a bit leary of buying 303's of that generation, and age. If you do, inspect the spoke holes carefully for any sign of cracking.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#17
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Both. If I'm buying fancy CF stuff it's coming home new and I'm taking care of maintaining it personally. Just my personal bias.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
#18
All Bikes All The Time
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 2,343
Bikes: Giant TCR 0, Lemond Zurich, Giant NRS 1, Jamis Explorer Beater/Commuter, Peugeot converted single speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One a side note: I rode this weekend with a shop warrior who purposefully bought a cracked 303 rim, spent a few weeks working on the crack with epoxy and sand paper and loves them. He had them out on Saturday and for a couple hundred other miles with no issues thus far. He figures if they crack again, he is not out much (rear wheel, of course). He paid $250 for his set with a known crack issue, btw.
#19
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
So what's worse? The fact that they're (apparently) crack prone or the fact that they're (definitely) not dimpled?
remembers a very long, lame infested thread about the efficacy of dimpling
remembers a very long, lame infested thread about the efficacy of dimpling
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay