NB: Front wheel choice only
Ok…i’ve done the math… the difference in price is about 100 or so in favour of the tilliums (incl. PBO spokes) (side note…which is better…pbo or non-pbo?)
what would you pick? and why?
longer race specific (upgrade from a ksyrium front. already have the renn rear)
thanks,
-kevin
I’ve heard too many bad things about spinergy. Go with the 404, Zipp has great customer service and an excellent reputation.
----->Trent
Alrighty then…(tossing my two cents into the ring). First up Zipp is pretty much tried and true with very little (that I know of…other than their hub issue of a few years ago) negative performance issues. Spinergy has had some bad press but they seem to have found the right formula as of late. Other than seeing Paul on the board on a regular basis I have found that they don’t always get back to customer emails, when you have a problem, in a timely fashion. Having Paul handy (we don’t have any Zipp reps on the board…too bad for them) to answer questions though is a big plus. That’s the support side of the story.
Which would I prefer PBO or non? Tough call. I have a pair of Spox and they are a very very good wheel (some would argue the point but this is still my two cents). They are different (note I did not say better or worse) to true and require a bit more skill than regular spokes. That could be considered a negative point. But. I’m about 180 and am not gentle on my wheels to say the least. I have never broken a PBO spoke and they are still very much in true. Of all my wheels (and believe me my signature is no lie) I find the ride comfort level on the Spox to be the best. Hit more than one decent road crack and barely felt it. Magnify that by a 112mile ride and the comfort level is exponential. If the two were equal in weight and aero numbers I would go with the Spinergies by virtue of their comfort. The caveat here is this…you lose a few second over 112miles through aero advantage (this is hypothetical so bear with me) to the Zipp…you save $100…your shoulders take less abuse…and you get off the bike more comfortable and relaxed and are possibly more likely to put in a faster run as a result. Again all hypothetical…but probably not too far off the truth. And I think (no data to confirm) that the Zipps are only marginally lighter than the Tilliums.
My bottom line is this…I own both wheels (though not the Tilliums…hey Paul since I’m recommending your product can I trade my Spox in for a discount on a pair of Tilliums??) and if I had to race long I would without a doubt go with the Spinergies. They really are that comfortable.
I’d go with the spinergy, although I don’t think there is a lot between the 2 wheels in terms of performance. The spinergy front hubs have always been good, and their rims are durable. I have yet to true my SR3 front wheel, which has been my everyday training wheel for the last 4? years or so.
what about the Tilium SS? awesome wheel
I’ve never had a set of 404’s but I just got a set of Tillium’s and they are great. Very high quality, very light. The PBO spokes makes a noticable difference on ride quality. My friend is a wrench in a LBS and he was very suprised at the quality of the wheels. I’m also planning on using mine for 1/2 and full IM and their unique ride quality/comfort along with their deep rims (not quite as deep as 404 but at 45mm I think deep enough) were what made me think that the Tillums were the best wheel for that purpose for me. I also use them as my full time training wheels and they seem more than durable than 404’s for that.
Not that the 404’s are bad - obviously they are very good wheels also. I just have no experience with them.
Good luck!
I own both. (in rear wheels though) I would say zipp. The PBO spokes are rather large in diameter elevating drag the “eggbeater” effect.
true, spinergy has had a bad rap, (ie. me) but at the same time nothing is perfect. I managed to crack a part of my fizik seat, and they replaced it. But sh** I don’t think I’ll ever ride anything other than a fizik from now. I LOVE my seat.
Anyway point is, what are you going to use the wheels for? I wouldn’t ride the zips for training. (plus they need special brake pads no?) From what I remember Tilliums don’t need the special pads and I would use 'em more often. (Although at this price point, I’d seriously consider mavic cosmic carbones since I used to ride a lot of mavic stuff for mtn biking and was always EXTREMELY happy with their stuff)
If you live in pothole central (ie. Montreal) go PBO. I rode this past weekend, and holy crap am I happy with my Spinergys. If you want a comfortable LONG ride (100km+ I’d go PBO) but that’s just me…
I bit the bullet and purchased a set of Tilium SS wheels last night - hopefully they won’t suck, but if they do, I can always rag on Paul, right?
Anyway, I paid roughly $575 for the set, using some Performance Bike Coupons. The front wheel was $226, some $400 less than a 404 front - heck, the whole set was less than a 404 front at current list price.
yah, i saw the post about the coupons…by chance do these still apply? and how does one get a copy of said coupon?
thanks,
-kevin
that’s why i asked the difference b/w the carbon and the ss…
what’s the difference? what would you pick? and why?
Performance Bike Coupon code - not sure if it still works.
6000374
20% off $50+
Carbons=PBO spokes
Carbon SS=stainless steel (hence the SS) spokes
ergo carbon ss=carbon + weight-money
.
coupon worked…i bought!
hehe…call me impulsive…but what the hell… 
you only live once!
thanks!
-kevin