I didn't buy them but several coaches and bike dudes recommended Zipp 303s for me since they aren't as deep and I won't be vulnerable to cross winds. If I ever decide to spend the cash, that's what I'll get.

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Jen

"In order to keep a true perspective on one's importance, everyone should have a dog that worships him and a cat that will ignore him." - Dereke Bruce

HA HA I just ordered Zipp 808's.

Ahh the irony of it all... I bet they are great. Just curious, what size rider are you (approx)? What helped you decide on those?

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

I don't even have them yet. I just ordered them. I'm 5'6 and weigh 113-116. I decided on them b/c I thought they would look cool with my bike. JK...My bike shop guru helped me choose the Zipp 808's b/c I wanted a powertap and fast wheels.

I am 5'5 and I have zipp 404s with Powertap. They are awesome ;)

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cat
Sponsored by Suntheanine, Lycored and Celadrin
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I'm 5'10" and weigh anywhere between 130-155 and have zipp 404s (2006, dimpled) tubulars.

I'll be looking to sell those soon as I'm upgrading to zipps with a powertap.

I have Flashpoint 60's. They are nice for racing and durable for training as well - so you don't have to worry about dropping big $$ and only using them 4-5x a year. I use them all season long and take them off for bad weather.

I already have an Ergomo so not looking for a powermeter.... hmmm

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

For my 700c bike I had Flashpoint 60s. I bought them for the same reasons as Wingnut above -- great price for a strong durable wheel. However, when I got my P2C it had 650c wheels so I picked up a pair of Zipp 404s with ceramic bearings from the Classifieds Forum. I did a bit of research before I bought them and learned I was limited in wheel selection with the 650 wheels. Plus they couldn't be beat for the price I paid. I have only used them in one race but they seem to be great wheels. I weigh around 120lb

Not to change the subject completely but how do you like your ergomo?

I have a set of Hed 3's that I love. I picked them up pretty cheap and they've proven to be pretty durable for everyday & racing. Only problem I have is that I want a powertap, but it sounds like you're set on power. I did get blown all over the place on a really windy day, but gusts were up to 50+ mph, so I think any wheels might have been susceptible to crosswinds. Other than that one ride, I seldom notice the wind. I come in at 5'6", 135-145#.

From the research that I've done on race wheels it seems like once your figure out your price range and whether or not we're willing to buy used, it all comes down to the little stuff - what your LBS carries/services, customer service, cost, riding conditions, tubular/clincher, etc. If you ride clinchers, its worth checking out how easy they are to inflate and change. I like that my H3's have a really large cutout for the stem and I can get away without a valve extender, makes changing a flat on the road much easier.

Everyone seems to have rave reviews for the big names. If I was buying another race wheel I would probably go with the 404's just for their versatility.

I like it a lot but I don't use it enough. Well, to be specific, because this year is all about getting back into shape and racing, I use it sparingly and not in sprint races. Because it is installed on my tri bike (Cervelo), and I log most of my non-race-season miles on my road bike (Olmo) I expect to use it more next year as I train for IMC and thus ride the tri bike more.

I could see how 404s for a 650 ride would be a good fit - there's usually good bargains to be had in 650 wheels.

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

Ok I love that - no valve extender. Didn't even think about that. Great point, thanks for your post.

Ap

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

I've been running a Renn 575 disc in the rear and a 404 in the front. I was running a HED3 in the front for a while but found that I got blown around a lot with that wheel since it basically acts like a propeller in the wind. A friend suggested that I try the 404 since I only weigh a little over 130 and I've really loved this setup.

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my severely neglected blog

I have 404's (in 650) ... love them & got them used off the ST classifieds ...

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my support:

Pacific Multisport

I started w/ Alps/H3 combo, then bought a set of 404s. Eventually, I sold the HEds. I wish now I would have kept them. I really loved those wheels. I think the 404s are probably the multipurpose race wheel, but I did like the versitility of having both.

Were I only going to have one, though...I'd say 404s. Light, stiff, responsive. The Heds were nice, but a bit heavier, and I was always faster on the 404s, except on the flattest of courses.

Look to ebay--you can get some good deals there, esp. if you are still riding 650s.

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mmm-mmm-Momo Charms
Handmade beverage charms, jewelry, and miscellanea
http://momocharms.wordpress.com

GhiaGirl: Do you only race with your 404s or train on them sometimes too?

I have zipp 303 rims with american classic hubs and DT Swiss spokes, titanium skewers.
My husband built them for me special.
We also have a Renn disc that I have only used a couple of times, I prefer the 303s. They are SUPER light.
I'm 5'5" and about 130.

I'm on Zipp 808's and love them. I can feel the wind some days but have never felt they were out of control for me. Peronally, I don't notice a difference in weight from my previous wheels which were the 404's.

    Zipp 404s or should I say the Elite equivalent for my Elite. I rode for four years before buying race wheels. They do make a difference. I take them off to train.

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member CupCake Cartel

I hemmed and hawed for a couple of years(!) before buying my 1st set of race wheels. Based on my weight (114-118) and course selection (usually hilly) I started with old Velomax Ascents. They were not aero, but were the lightest clinchers made at the time and served me well on many a hilly, windy course. Next set was Reynolds Stratus ultra-lights and I was, again, very happy.........not super aero, but deep enough, and very light.

When I bought my new bike (Felt B2 Pro), it came with 606's and I was planning to use either them or the Reynolds depending on the course particulars. However, most-wonderful-sherpa-in-the-world surprised me with a Sub-9 disc for my 50th. (I know seems silly for an old lady to be riding a disc) Unfortunately, I have only raced it once (a 40K PR) before back surgery..............but one of my coaching partners is really enjoying it as he races his way to short course NATS. :-)

I think the bottom line is to figure out your budget, do some (but not too much) research, consider your personal style and needs, narrow the field, borrow some to try if you can, and then just make a decision, don't second guess yourself and enjoy the heck outta those wheels!

G

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It's a little like wrestling a gorilla.........you don't stop when you're tired.........you stop when the gorilla is tired.

My wife is 5'4" and under 120 lbs. She has Zipp 404's. She uses them at almost every race unless it's really windy.

I'd also suggest picking up a custom cut disc cover from wheelbuilder.com for about $100. Then you can also have the option of a rear disc.

The 404s seem to be popular with the womens. On what wheels does she train?

This is a great thread! Lots of good info.. I'm sure I'll refer back to it often!

Looks like Zipp 404s are tops...

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Come crawling faster

She trains on Rolf Vectors. Both are 650c on her P2K.

"Looks like Zipp 404s are tops... "

They're also the most expensive. I'm sure you're not really losing anything with Hed, Flashpoint, Real Design, etc or any other decent 60mm wheelset.

That's what I have now. I like these wheels, but obviously they aren't race wheels. ;-)

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

You can get a good deal off of ebay--assuming you're patient, and don't need Brand New. I got my zipps for $400--only about race miles on them, and they came with tires, skewers, and cassette.

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mmm-mmm-Momo Charms
Handmade beverage charms, jewelry, and miscellanea
http://momocharms.wordpress.com

Andy, more surface area is faster in broad terms. This means that a disc rear with trispoke/extra deep front is the fastest choice provided you can handle it.
Surface area on the rear is fine for all, since you don't steer with the back, and you could get away with a disc, 808, or something similar.
Running something shallower like a 404 or some other 50-60mm deep rim will give you a good balance between speed and safe handling. If your area has high wind and/or lots of crosswind, you may want something like a 303 or Rolf on the front instead.
If you want to use them for the occasional road race or crit, a pair of 404s or similar would be the best bet. One of my clubmates is about 5' 2" and she adores her 404s, using them for everything.
If you can get a test run on some wheels, you'll have a much better idea of what you like, or dislike.

Bottom line is you'll be faster on a set of wheels you're confident in riding than on a pair you're not happy with.

To quote from one of the early Slowtwitch articles, I think the author was John Cobb. -

• You're an absolute beginner, and are slow as Molasses:
  • Rolf Vector Comps, standard wheels
• Your getting better, you have a TT bike, or a road bike with clip on tribars, and are looking for a decent set of 18mph wheels:
  • Zipp 303' or Hed Alps, either of which as clinchers
• You have a road race bike with clip-ons and reversed seat post, or you might have a TT bike. You need a set of 24mph wheels:
  • Hed 3's or Zipp 404's. Now start to consider tubulars
• You have a TT bike, you'd give Lance a run for his money, you need the best set of 26mph race wheels:
  • Any rear disc. On the front should be a Hed3 , Hed Alps or Zipp 404. Tubulars mandatory.
• You're a girl, you weigh 110 pounds, you go 20 mph, but get blown around and need a safe set of race wheels:
  • Zipp 303 front, with a 404 on the rear.
  • Alternatively, a Hed Alps front and rear (no 3 or 4 spoke wheels for you).

Adapted from Slowtwitch.com

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"Here's how you run a marathon. Step 1: You start running. Step 2: There is no step 2." - Barney (How I Met Your Mother)

I have Hed3s, Hed Disc and Zipp 404s.

I cannot get the tires off the HED rims - and some guys I have been riding with cannot either.

BUT the Zipp 404s are easy for me to change. I put a wheel cover on the Zipp 404s so it is a poor man's disk now and that set seems very light, aero and versatile. I got a good deal on them used. I think that is perfect for the longer venues.

The heds are very aero and I will use those on shorter races and tts - where if I flat I don't care.