So, I ran across this drag chart for Boyd on their website:
And found this published on Zipp’s website:
To me, this looks like that the 808 has a few grams less drag at <5 degrees, and then the 90 mm Boyd has progressively less drag as yaw increases. And the Boyd has negative drag after 12.5 degrees!?
Of course, Boyd is American made, etc. No Chinese carbon, that I’m aware of. (Edit: Boyd rims are sourced in Taiwan. However, they are assembled in South Carolina. And Boyd has been making wheels for years. I’m not aware of product problem.) A set of 90 mm Boyds is $1500. About half of the MSRP for a set of 808s ($2975).
Didn’t bring up the ENVE 8.9 (which is more than the Zipps, I think) because I couldn’t find a drag chart that used grams of drag as a metric. Presumably, they’d be comparable to the 808 performance based on information on the ENVE website.
Btw, I get that there are scientific problems not having these in the same test w/ the same controls, etc. I believe it’s reasonable to deduce, though, that their performance is comparable.
So, back to the original question. Why pay double for Zipps or ENVEs?
Have you ever seen an aero chart that doesn’t show the particular product being promoted as being the best?
I know what you’re saying. You’ll never see Zipp or ENVE or HED do a cost vs grams drag saved compared to FLO, for example. That would be bad marketing.
But, is Boyd a legitimate player in the “super wheels.” And are they doing it at half the price?
Look at that. With the money you are spending on 2 sets of Boyds, you could have had a pair Zipps!
Not sure if this is pink or not…
It’s definitely not pink in my case. A) Selling my used and getting a large amount back B) Newer wheels are much much better than old ones (wider and, most important, better braking)
I recently saw a pair of those at a road race and they looked nice but Boyd has them beat in the eyeball test. At least they are one company that does not always have their product as being the fastest.
I have been riding the new 90s for about a month or so now and I have owned zipps as well. My opinion is that the new 90s are amazing wheels, I absolutely love them. If it matters to you to support a smaller company with a great product that’s a plus as well. I think you would be hard pressed to find any data that says the added cost is worth it and IMO unless you are winning/losing races or your age group by the respective argued time savings then you might as well save the coin and invest it else where or use it to race more. Love my Boyd wheels I will continue to support them.
I recently saw a pair of those at a road race and they looked nice but Boyd has them beat in the eyeball test. At least they are one company that does not always have their product as being the fastest.
How so? Mine get compliments all the time. No one has heard of them, though.
So, back to the original question. Why pay double for Zipps or ENVEs?
Name and being an idiot.
FYI – I rock Boyd 60s and am upgrading to their newer model.
Because I believe supporting US manufacturers that stand behind their product with 5 year warranty rather then a company that sources their wheels from Taiwan.
PS: tell me how your rim does hitting a pothole at 40mph on a descent. My ENVEs held up fine.
PS: tell me how your rim does hitting a pothole at 40mph on a descent. My ENVEs held up fine.
well you know unless we find the same pothole and hit it at the same speed with the same tire and pressures you used we will never know the answer to that question.
I’ve got a set of Boyd 44mm Carbon Clinchers that I’ve been running on my new FOIL … I like the a lot!
They are as light as a set of 303’s, nearly as aero at all yaw angles, can be built up 24/28 for a stronger build and don’t have any issues with heat build up even on steep/twisty descents and I’m around 180 pounds.
For the price, they are pretty awesome and all reviews point to awesome customer support.
