So I have a friend willing to part with his 2004 set of 303 tubular rims with a new set of
Continental tubular tires. Wheel sets and tires are in excellent shape, less than a thousand on the wheels, tires are new. He is asking 800 for the whole shebang. Would you or wouldn't you ?

Negative.

why? and what, if any price would you consider them for.

They are a tad old. I would be more at 550-600 or 650 at the most. But that's only an estimate based on my rather infrequent ebay searches.

Edit: I would go with those if I was really fishing for a deal.

No I'd do $500 max for that. There are dozens of better wheels you can get but if you must have a set of older carbon wheels, go for it.

They're 7 years old. I've seen newer on eBay for that price. You've got the peace of mind of knowing the history of them, but I'd still be thinking $600ish.

I've been tempted by 303's for a long time for some weird reason. From what I've learned, there was a very significant redesign of the wheels in 2009. The rim was deepened, widened, and incorporated a fully toroidal shape previous generations didn't have. The brake track and tire bed were also redesigned as well. The result is a more comfortable and durable wheel, not to mention faster since it's about 5mm deeper. Personally I wouldn't even look at anything earlier than a 2009 set of 303's, especially at that price.

you're actually only half right. Zipp 303's have gone through several redesigns - the most recent being 2009. I believe the 2004 is a non-dimpled 38mm profile wheel. They were not terribly stiff and rumors would have it that they were also no that durable. Some time around 2006 or 2007 the rim was redesigned to a 44mm deep dimpled rim that was lighter and much stronger due to an improved layup. In 2009 the rim was changed again after the 44mm deep version became a favorite cyclocross wheel amongst pros and armatures. Zipp saw the opportunity to make a carbon Classics wheel a reality and came up with the 45mm deep 26+mm wide rim currently in production. Some 2009 wheels have the older style hubs and some have the newer style as the full conversion to the new hub was not complete until 2010.

Long story short, I wouldn't be interested in a pre-dimpled 38mm version of the 303, but I go 185lbs most of the year and have several thousand miles on the 44mm deep version.

Thanks all for the info. I am also 180 most of the year, will have to bug off this offer unless he goes down to 500, which I doubt he will do.

I had Zipp 303's circa 2004. Both rims eventually failed from cracks at the spoke holes. First time it was under warranty. Second time I got a crash replacement deal where I got a whole new set of the redesigned Zipp 303's for $800, so I wasn't unhappy.

I have had 2 sets of 303's a set of 404's, and 808's. The 2004 303's were the only ones I've had trouble with.

I would not pay substantial money for a set of 303's from that era.

"less than a thousand on the wheels"


That is what they all say when they sell wheels. If the guy bought these tubular wheels and then only put < 1000 miles on them in 7 years, he is either lying or he is a poor excuse for a cyclist.

Interesting. I had a pair of Zipps from 2005, the rear wheel failed from the same mechanism this past year. One thing I was concerned with is the carbon fiber seam seemed very obvious with a slight elevation.

He is a pastor, so I hope he is not lying about them. He is also 68 and has had 2 total knee replacements which has drastically reduced his milage. He also mentioned only using them when he raced rather than as a day to day ride.

older zipp 303s aren't especially strong.
their known "not.so.strong" characteristics, and that they are pretty old.... I wouldn't pay that for them.

I'd go... 400?