I've had good experiences with Zipp in the past (808 front wheel fairing issues), and have owned those 80s, 2 Super 9s, 303 NSW...so fairly knowledgeable of the brand. Also have Enve 7.8 wheelset, so I've been around carbon wheels.
Just got a 858 front wheel (sprotsfactory.com...great site) to pair with the Super 9, goods good, well packaged. I proceed to insert the valve extension and meet immediate resistance. Back the extension out, which then gets trapped inside the hole. The rubber sleeve starts to slip off so I have to use a pliers to grip it so it won't get pulled loose and get trapped inside the wheel. Finally got it out intact, but sleeve ripped off
Once I pull it out I see the remnants on the carbon layup blocking the exit hole. I use a hex wrench to poke around thinking it would break loose but no chance. I called the Zipp support line this morning and told its part of the inflation balloon used in the carbon layup process and I can use a pick to break it loose. Ok, so a $2000 retail wheel and I'm supposed to be the quality control work for Zipp? Like I said, I've had many Zipp wheels, Enve and even Chinese carbons and never seen such subpar craftsmanship. If this was a $400 wheel from China I'd understand. All Zipp could say was use a pick, or take it to my local bike shop and have them do it. They wouldn't even sent out a new extension to replace the one with the ripped up sleeve.
Does this sound 'normal' or am I being too sensitive? I'm think about returning the wheel and calling it a day on Zipp products. I can see a bad finishing process slipping through, but I'd assume a company like Zipp would be embarrassed enough to say at the very least take it to a Zipp affiliated shop and have them inspect and if needed sent it back to the company to make right.
As a post script..started poking around with a pick..there a a piece of the bladder left inside the wheel...a gray rubber-esque material on either side of the valve hole. I can't imagine this is normal.
Just got a 858 front wheel (sprotsfactory.com...great site) to pair with the Super 9, goods good, well packaged. I proceed to insert the valve extension and meet immediate resistance. Back the extension out, which then gets trapped inside the hole. The rubber sleeve starts to slip off so I have to use a pliers to grip it so it won't get pulled loose and get trapped inside the wheel. Finally got it out intact, but sleeve ripped off
Once I pull it out I see the remnants on the carbon layup blocking the exit hole. I use a hex wrench to poke around thinking it would break loose but no chance. I called the Zipp support line this morning and told its part of the inflation balloon used in the carbon layup process and I can use a pick to break it loose. Ok, so a $2000 retail wheel and I'm supposed to be the quality control work for Zipp? Like I said, I've had many Zipp wheels, Enve and even Chinese carbons and never seen such subpar craftsmanship. If this was a $400 wheel from China I'd understand. All Zipp could say was use a pick, or take it to my local bike shop and have them do it. They wouldn't even sent out a new extension to replace the one with the ripped up sleeve.
Does this sound 'normal' or am I being too sensitive? I'm think about returning the wheel and calling it a day on Zipp products. I can see a bad finishing process slipping through, but I'd assume a company like Zipp would be embarrassed enough to say at the very least take it to a Zipp affiliated shop and have them inspect and if needed sent it back to the company to make right.
As a post script..started poking around with a pick..there a a piece of the bladder left inside the wheel...a gray rubber-esque material on either side of the valve hole. I can't imagine this is normal.
Last edited by:
anthonypat: May 6, 19 8:38