What are y’all using for wheels for training and racing? I’m using some older, narrow Zipp 404s with the aluminum brake track on my P3c, but they are nearing the end of their life. I’d like to go tubeless, but it seems that most of the current tubeless compatible wheel offerings are fairly wide and made for frames with more tire clearance. I know that some folks have wedged wider wheels into these frames and are making do with tiny amounts of clearance, but I’d prefer not to do that! I love the P3c as it is light, easy to maintain and the long and low geometry is perfect for me.
I’m not a FOP biker, so my needs are simple. I still run Easton aluminums on my P2C that fit the 23mm tires. If I could find a cheap set of 404s like you have I’d jump at them. What do you mean that they are nearing the end of their life? Unless you crash them and if you keep them maintained, I think they’ll last longer than your life. Aluminum and carbon don’t really degrade very much.
I realize 25s/28s are faster, but I couldn’t get my son’s 25mm 404s to fit on my bike, so I just live with it.
But if you want to sell your 23mm 404s cheap, I’d be interested 
The rear wheel is getting to a point where it no longer stays true as it has many thousands of miles on some pretty rough roads (welcome to rural Texas), as well a couple of times when I hit a pothole immediately after getting flats (which is not good for the rim!!). Otherwise, the carbon and aluminum are in fine shape.
The rear wheel is getting to a point where it no longer stays true as it has many thousands of miles on some pretty rough roads (welcome to rural Texas), as well a couple of times when I hit a pothole immediately after getting flats (which is not good for the rim!!). Otherwise, the carbon and aluminum are in fine shape.
If the rim is fine, then the problem could be the ergal nipples coming loose. I would try to replace them with brass ones
I used to run 25mm wide (at brake track) rims with my p3c. Still do actually with it’s road conversion. That width plus 25m Gp4000s were always too big. Just couldn’t back out the rear dropout screws far enough. 25mm Gp5000s are usuable on the back, however I still feel more comfortable with 23mm as there can be a slight rub while climbing with the 25s. The 23s are a better aero profile anyways. I wouldn’t get anything wider than 25mm at the brake track and pair it with some 23mm tires of any type.
You may be able to have them rebuilt, although getting parts might be difficult (nipples/spokes). I have an older set of Mavics on my road bike where the LBS tech had a similar wheel “in storage” and used parts from both front wheels to rebuild one. Maybe your LBS can help?
I run mine with a Renn 555 disc, older model circa 2013 which I think is 21mm wide at the brake track. Widest tyre I had on there was the Conti Force 24mm clincher. It was OK but not loads of clearance, if anything it sat a bit tall and I needed to back out the horizontal dropouts a fair bit so it didn’t rub the frame cutout.
Not sure if that helps!
Cheers, Rich.
2006 P3c.
Still a great frame, disagree on the ease of maintenance
Those cable runs are maddening and the cause of much swearing.
However, I am running generic carbon 50mm rims that are 25mm at the brake track with plenty of clearance. Paired with a 23mm Conti or Zipp tire. 25mm tires are too fat for the rear.
I’ve also replaced my fork from the original Wolf TT to a Wolf CL several years ago. I’m not sure you can even get one anymore, but that bought me slightly more front clearance.
I’ve got a 2012ish P2. Using some older Zipp 404s as training wheels (these pre-date the 11sp hubs). For races I use 2017 or 2018 Flo 90 front and rear disc. I think the internal width on all of the wheels is19mm and run 23mm Conti GP 4000/5000/TTs. As other have said, 25mm tires are just too tall. Even with 23s, if you pick up enough road grit or very small gravel, it will rub from the tires being too tall.
I was running a First Generation Alu+Carbon Flo 60 / Flo Disc combo on a 2006 P3C with 23mm GP4000 II and a 3T Funda fork. Rear wheel clearance was fairly tight, but no issues.
I ride a 2007 Cervelo P3C
Training wheels: 3T Accelero 40 w/ 25mm Continental GP5000
Race wheels: Zipp 808 w/ 25mm Continental GP5000
25mm has been fine for me. I’ve had a few issues with wheels rubbing on the frame, but they were due to movement of stripped horizontal dropout screw holes. I’ve since tapped larger holes and haven’t had issues since.
You may be able to have them rebuilt, although getting parts might be difficult (nipples/spokes). I have an older set of Mavics on my road bike where the LBS tech had a similar wheel “in storage” and used parts from both front wheels to rebuild one. Maybe your LBS can help?
unlike mavic, zipp uses standard nipples and spokes (at least on those old rim brake models). replacing them is no problem at all
2011 P3C, Zipp Firecrest 404/808/disc with GP5000 23mm and latex tubes works fine.
23mm gives the best match between tyre and wheel width.
I’d be surprised if there’s any tangible performance difference between this set up compared to tubeless And factor in the extra hassle of setting up and running tubeless on a road bike with narrow tyres and high pressure.
I’d be surprised if there’s any tangible performance difference between this set up compared to tubeless.
I agree. The only positive I see with higher volume tubeless tires would be the ability to run them lower pressure for comfort on marginal roads. It would be nice to run 28s at 50psi without the risk of pothole/pinch flats w/o any performance detriment. However, it’s not worth the $$$$ to replace my bike and wheelsets to get.
Not to hijack this thread, but has anyone successfully used a super 9 on the P3C? I’d imagine if so, with 23mm tires?
P4, HED Belguim w 23 Conti 5000, and 808FC w 23mm supersonic.
(The Belgium is nearing the end of life, and like the OP, I’m also curious if I can use the newer Belgium Plus / Ardennes Plus rims).
Not to hijack this thread, but has anyone successfully used a super 9 on the P3C? I’d imagine if so, with 23mm tires?
Yes, fits fine with 23mm. GP5000.
P4, HED Belguim w 23 Conti 5000, and 808FC w 23mm supersonic.
(The Belgium is nearing the end of life, and like the OP, I’m also curious if I can use the newer Belgium Plus / Ardennes Plus rims).
I used Ardennes Plus with the P3C and 23mm GP4000 which was fine : couldn’t use 25mm as it rubbed.
I think P4 has tighter clearance.
thanks - appreciate the information.
I raced a 2011 P3 with hed jet blacks…23mm Victoria corsa graphene…no issues at all
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