Really interesting rim. The dimples are pretty cool, very precise. The logos are baked in to the rim, but I think they are still working out the kinks on this process since they really didn’t look that clean - there were slight imperfections. Since they are not removable, I hope they get this process sorted out sooner rather than later.
All and all, you have to appreciate the work that went in to implementing those dimples - I imagine that would be tough to pull off in carbon.
Pictures?
Logos baked into the rims? I think that is going to be a mistake.
Why? Because people won’t be able to remove the stickers?
You bought a product because you think it’s good. Why not allow other people see that? What’s the point with the ‘no free advertising’ and taking off logos?
Plus the Zipp logos are cool.
What aboot the people who are sponsored riders not complying with their contracts? I would hope they had a “no logo” option for those who wanted the Zipp wheel without logos, even if it took a pro racing license to get them.
pic:
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what happened to the better, old, 04 logos?
yikes… Do I really need 8 logos, if you count the 404 logo, per wheel. Logos are becoming too much. I think it’s getting pretty tasteless and would turn my yes buying decision into a no buying decision unless the products are very much superior to anything on the market. Unless of course I’m sponsored then logo everything and often.
I just don’t see why the $350 price increase. Looks like I’ll still be riding my HED Alps.
Number of logos on a Zipp 404 wheelset: 12 (and you can add 2 more for the hubs)
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Are they really $350 more than last years models? What is the difference
First off, the Dimples. These dimples aren’t going to do anything for you unless you hit some serious speeds. These dimples were derived from the golf ball theory. And how fast does a golf ball come off of the club head (100+ mph). When a ball is going this fast, Everything Matters. The new Zipp wheels with the dimples is the biggest “Marketing Ploy I have ever seen”. Lets be honest. Zipp already had a good product. What were they going to do for the next year to spark more interest in there product (get old customers coming back). I tell you what they did…they created a new wheel and slapped some dimples on it that do nothing for you…
Now for the baked on stickers. I could care less. I personally like Zipp wheels and really like the new logos vs last years logo.
I think Zipp makes a good product. I have enjoyed there wheels in the past. I might end up adding the new 808 to my arsenal.
I am disturbed that there is a significant rate hike on the 404 product. I think they are truly taking advantage of the consumer where this is concerned.
My opinion.
(P.S. - even if you gave me some big case study with regards to the dimples and how they work with these wheels, its still BS. For what it is worth, I like the dimples for cosmetic reasons, nothing else. I think it adds a little flare to the wheel itself. Other than any performace increase…GIVE ME A BREAK!!!)
Are the clincher version dimpled?
AFAIK, all the new “deep” wheels are dimpled - clincher and tubular.
Which also means a price increase for those too. Looks like Hed 3 instead this year.
I’m going to let all of you in on a little secret.
The cost of the rims has only gone up by $50 per rim if you just buy the rim. The other $200? Probably just related to demand. Hey, if Zipp can get $1600 for these wheels, more power to them, but you don’t have to pay it.
It is possible to get a set of these wheels built, with the new rims, Sapim spokes and Am Classic hubs for around $1300/set.
The new molds for the wheels are I’m sure just one of the costs adding to the price increase. There is the increase in cost of materials (some aluminum alloys went up as much as 200%) and the increased costs of being an american based company in a global economy.
The new 808 front as well as the 606 combo will grow to be very popular this year. The baked on decal leaves the surface unfettered unlike the old one that had depth to it relative to the rim sidewall.
Ritchey and Easton/Velomax use Zipp rims, I’m sure theirs won’t have big ZIPP decals baked into them.
-SD
Ritchey and Easton/Velomax use Zipp rims, I’m sure theirs won’t have big ZIPP decals baked into them.
-SD
Hey SD - are you saying that these (http://www.velomax.com/models_tubulars_TempestIITubCarb.php3) are Zipp rims? Paired with the Velomax R3 hubs, these could be the ultimate (non-disc) race wheels, no?
I better not say that, because they don’t. I speculate that it may be. The details list a 56mm rim, and Zipps are 58mm, Ritchey claims they use a “Made in USA” rim.
I can’t say that they are Zipps with certainty, but simply as an outside observer to the product, I think they look like Zipps.
…whew.
-SD
Thanks for the clarification. I noted the 2mm discrepancy in the listed rim depths and was thought they might be using an older model Zipp rim…
On a related note, is there any difference (as far as you are aware) between the Ritchey/Velomax wheels and the Velomax wheels?