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Zipp 303 Problems?

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Old 11-28-10 | 01:40 PM
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Zipp 303 Problems?

So I am thinking about a Christmas present to myself, and am looking into an older pair of Zipp 303's with low miles. I believe they are 2003 or 2004's, but have extremely low miles. I have read some reviews that they are great and some that they are horrible and was just wondering if anyone has any personal reviews or comments.
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Old 11-28-10 | 02:05 PM
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Very nice wheels, however it's my understanding that Zipp hubs are not sealed well, so get ready to rebuild and adjust them every time you ride in bad weather.
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Old 11-28-10 | 02:17 PM
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I have had a pair of Zipp 303's for five years. Never needed truing and faultless during these years.....until 2 weeks ago. The rear wheel was coming out of true-checked it over and found a crack starting at a spoke and traveling around completely. Replaced them with Mavic Kyseriums. If you get them let me know, I have a front one you could have.
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Old 11-28-10 | 03:19 PM
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Zipp rims are great, the hubs, not so much.
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Old 11-28-10 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by robertkat
Very nice wheels, however it's my understanding that Zipp hubs are not sealed well, so get ready to rebuild and adjust them every time you ride in bad weather.
I think that's a gross overstatement. I've ridden 3 different sets of Zipp wheels over the last 7 years. I've replaced the bearings in one in that entire time frame, andI've ridden them in afair amount of rain in that time frame.
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Old 11-28-10 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by bthomas515
So I am thinking about a Christmas present to myself, and am looking into an older pair of Zipp 303's with low miles. I believe they are 2003 or 2004's, but have extremely low miles. I have read some reviews that they are great and some that they are horrible and was just wondering if anyone has any personal reviews or comments.
I had a Zipp 303 rim circa 2003 that develpoed cracks at the spoke nipples (replaceed under a crash replacement policy)

303's of that era allegedly were prone to that.

Given that the age of the wheels will mke them not eligble for crash replacement pricing, I'd only buy them with a very steep discount.
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Old 11-28-10 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
I think that's a gross overstatement. I've ridden 3 different sets of Zipp wheels over the last 7 years. I've replaced the bearings in one in that entire time frame, andI've ridden them in afair amount of rain in that time frame.
Agree with merlin- 5 years and as smooth as silk- no problems with the hubs.
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Old 11-28-10 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by robertkat
so get ready to rebuild and adjust them every time you ride in bad weather.
Is that based upon your personal experience?
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