A couple of points which I’ve noticed as I’ve prepared to glue my first Zipp tubular tires onto a set of Zipp 909’s.
Like the tapered tread. The tread material actually tapers out to the side, so it’s flush with the sidewall. Nice look.
Black base tape.
There seems to be a bead which runs down the center of the base tape which fit’s perfectly into the carbon “grove” of the rim.
Nice looking tire…
I’m thinking about getting a set of these tires in the next week or so. Please post re: how they were to mount. In addition, let me know whether the valve core is removable to accept the better type of valve extender.
man that black base tape is in a class all by itself:)
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Removable valve core… Preliminarily, I say these tires run on the big side. Very easily mounted dry. The glue is setting up, I’ll mount tomorrow (Thursday) and will report back.
Another note… the side walls seem extremely thin compared to continental & tufo’s. Along the same line as Vittorias.
I like mine…
Mounting the tire… A little tighter then I thought… especially with the glue tackiness, but they mounted this morning… pumped up and will take them for a spin on Saturday morning if the rain stops in time… showing up to NYC Tri this weekend…
Good luck…let us know your raceday impressions of the tires, e.g., traction, etc.
Mine seem to loose air a lot faster than with other tubulars. I doubt it’s a leak since both the front and back loos air at the same rate. Anyone else notice this? I love these tires by the way.
If they have latex tubes you’ll be lucky to have air in them after a few days.
Mine seem to loose air a lot faster than with other tubulars
That’s normal for a high quality tubular… Some people will say that they have 40 psi within 48 hours. I’ve personally havn’t ever checked, but I don’t think I lose that much with continentals, or vittoria’s.
Awesome tyre for traction and racing. I love them for this reason.
Only negative is yesterday riding home from race I had to brake hard to avoid a moron driver who pulled out in front of me. Locked the rear well up for about 1-2m and ripped the whole tread off in a 3-4inch long section. Right down through the cotton to what appears to be the anti-puncture casing. Only about 400km on this tyre and totally f@#ked now. These tyres cost about $170 in Aus so the misses was not overly impressed when she seen me changing it this morning.
Oh well I know they are not designed for skidding on but I would have only expected a flat spot not the whole rubber to tear away like that. Will be adjusting the rear brakes so they are alot less responsive for future rides on this wheel as it may get a little expensive should this happen again.
do yourself a favour Sambo and buy Vittorias from parker international. You’ll get two delivered to your door in less than a week form under $100. Great tyres.
Actually did that a week ago, ordered 2 Vittoria CX evo tubulars from probike kit in the UK. Cost me a touch over $100aus. Now this has happened might order 4 or so to put away for emergencies.
I am a little annoyed as they had alot more life than that in them. May contact the zipp rep and explain what happened and see if he will come to the party. I accept that they are not designed for what happened but surely the tread shouldnt peal away as it did. Other then that they were awesome tyres to race on.
Am pre-stretching my set of Zipp tubulars now on a brand spanking new pair of Zipp 606s. Agree that they mount very easily dry. We’ll see how the glue job goes this weekend.
I see what you mean about the sidewall. Much thinner than the Tufos and Contis I’ve run in the past.
Let me know how they raced for you and at what PSI you ran them.
Re: 606 wheelset. Been riding HEDs (front Alps/rear trispoke) for 3 years, then I finally succumbed to the Zipp bandwagon. Yes, I’m half ashamed to admit it b/c the Heds have been great wheels. Doubt the Zipps will make my first IM in LP next week any faster than would the Heds, but at least the wheels will look damn good. These things really are a work of art compared to the utilitarian look of Hed Alps wheels. I almost cannot bear to cover up that sweet red anondized freehub body w/ my ugly old 9 speed cassette.
They raced great… PR’d NYC Tri with a 1:08 and 78th bike overall. Can’t wait to get them up to Timberman next…
Went @ 110 PSI front, a tad more for the rear, but not over 115.