Bulging carbon around nipples on Zipp 303s

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve got an older (2002) set of Zipp 303s that the carbon is starting to bulge and crack, ever so slightly, around a couple of the nipples on the front rim. From reading reviews online I think that I’m not the first person to which this has happened. I called Zipp and they were super friendly and helpful. Asked me to take some digital photos and send them to them so they could determine if it’s a big deal or not. I asked what the cost would be, should they deem the bulging to be a problem, to have the rim replaced under their no-fault replacement policy. It’s $240 for the rim, $45 for the build. Once I add in shipping (say, $20 each way) it’s going to cost about $370 total. I figure that I can probably get a new 2004 front wheel for around $500 from a Zipp dealer. I’m not sure which to do, so I’m looking for suggestions. Also, does anyone have insight as to how well Zipp has done in remedying this problem in the last few years?

Cheers,
jason

2

Send the pictures to Alex (I presume it is Alex you are working with) and I bet he tells you that it is “not normal but okay” I have that a bit with my 404’s and just dont worry about it…

3

I spoke with, and sent photos to, Erik. My 404s are fine, but haven’t seen as much use. Thanks for the input.

4

Sheez, here I thought this might be a porn thread, and it’s just boring techno jumble. :wink:

5

Look something like this (difficult to get the camera to focus up that close)?

http://www.idealabtc.com/DSCN0897.JPG

6

Or perhaps it looked something like this…

http://www.applepics.com/6/userfiles/41b0ba28a9e0c.jpg

Zipp replaced both rims and I only had to pay for shipping and building labor.

7

It’s not that bad - the crack is not parallel to the spoke line. Rather, it looks like the nipple is beginning to pull through the rim, and a very, very small crack is starting to form that runs perpendicular to the spoke line (as if the vertical line of the “T” were the spoke and the crack were the horizontal line), right at the end of the nipple. I wish my digital camera had a macro option so I could get a good pic.

8

Mine started just like yours.

9

I read the topic title too quickly, and was sorely disapopinted by this “bulging nipples” thread :wink:
.

10

I thought about titling the thread “Bulging Nipples” but I thought that might be in bad taste. Humorous, but in bad taste. Another forum I suppose.

11

Perhaps this is what you had in mind?

http://www.applepics.com/50/userfiles/41b0c6f246ced.jpg

12

common problem with Zipps, and I dont believe they have fixed this technology flaw in their wheels.
the spokes leave the rims at an angle, causing stress on the nipples and rim, resulting in breaking spokes or cracks in the rim, or as I have witnessed wheels simply colapsing while being ridden.
Zipps need high maitenence. oil nipples before they cause problems with your rims or the nipples corrode and break.
even better, buy something else.
Seriously zipp need to fix this flaw. they have good technology, just not in every aspect.

13

Hopefully Zipp will warranty the rim. If not, I’ll probably give something else a try as I’ve never owned anything but Zipps and I’m a little curious. I’m pleased with their wheels in every other respect. Reynolds and HED both use non-Zipp rims, correct?

14

Damn, there goes the aero advantage!