Anyone out there have any experience riding the “road style” XXX lite CARBON wheels? Thinking of buying a pair instead of Zipp 606 or 404.
I don’t know a soul with them - they seem very nice though. However, the think I like about Zipp is their proven performance, great customer service, and most importantly, resale value! Selling used Zipps is the easiest thing in the world since they command such a high demand/premium. You would be hard pressed to sell the Bontys for anywhere close to what you would pay for them (even if they end up being a superior wheelset)
Are you a hill-climb specialist or, to a much lesser degree, a criterium racer? If the answer is “yes,” then go for it. If the answer is “no,” then stick to deep-V wheels. There is a reason that pretty much every triathlete rides deep-V wheels these days. The XXX lite road wheels are comparable to the zipp 202. Zipp offers a nice little “usage guide” for the wheels.
The standard answer is that the Race XXX Lite wheels are lighter but will be less aerodynamic than the Zipps. I have ridden XXX Lites and they ride very nice.
If you want a more ‘true’ apples-to-apples comparison, you would want to look at the Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 or 6.5 compared to the Zipp 404 or 606.
I ride the X lites as my training wheels and Real Design 60’s as my race wheels. Where I live and race there are always large hills(mountains) therefore the curiousity of the XXX Carbons.
My deep dish wheels don’t seem to be holding up. I just am not sure about performance differences in the deep dish vs. the real low profile XXX. Plus they might look really stupid on my Lucero.
I’m talking myself out of them as I write this!
I just am not sure about performance differences in the deep dish vs. the real low profile XXX.
Believe me, it is there, and it is significant. The Real Design 60’s were average wheels. Not bad, not great. ABG (who owns QR/Litespeed) switched to offering Flashpoints instead, so that should tell you something. I think it just wasn’t meant to be for those wheels… The Aeolus wheels are fantastic. A 5.0 pair or 5.0/6.5 pair would be a nice option vs. the 404 or 606. I can’t really help you with that decision. Both are excellent wheels that are very fast.
The (not) “Real Design” 60’s from the last few years are just rebadged FP60’s. The rims are made from 2004 model year 404 tooling at Zipp factory. Funny how you can find them for cheap on this site and e-bay and from an aero standpoint, they are very close to 404. Granted they are heavier and hubs not quite as nice but they are pretty darn nice wheels for the $.