I see Zipp 440s on ebay every time I look yet I can’t find them for sale new anywhere. How can a wheel only be sold used? Is this an old model? How old? Are they any good? They basically look like a 404 with much more low key decals. They seem to stay at a pretty low price on ebay so I am wondering what the story is behind this.
The 440 pre-dates the 404.
The 440 was a basic carbon rim. A little heavy, and it didn’t have Zipp’s patented rim shape.
The hubs are old, and out of date.
I don’t know for sure how old it would be, but lets just say, it will have a few miles on it.
Honestly, I wouldn’t buy one. It’s old, out of date technology.
aha. So basically you are getting Zipp’s name but you are not getting cutting edge Zipp technology?
440 were 700c wheels and 400 650ies they are the predessors of the current 404. I got my set back in 1993. Yup, they have lots of miles on 'em, but they work just fine. As to them being heavy, I dunno, 440gr is the weight of the rim.
Right.
It’s like buying a QR Superform. Was it a nice bike? Sure. It was great back then, but now even a QR Kilo would be faster.
I still pass a lot of guys on their Kilo’s riding my Superform and Zipp 400’s 
Sure I wouldn’t spend $ 500.- on a set of Zipp 400’s, but if the price is right, why not.
Hello,
I believe, and hopefully the Zipp dude will chime in, that the 440 rim was used on some of the early 404 wheels. Basically at some point in time Zipp changed the name but not the rim. Near as I remember the 440/404 rim has always been the same depth but has changed from the original to the patented toroid shape to the patented toroid shape with dimples. The hubs and spokes have also changed some, not necessarily at the same times.
As far as outdated the changes have been relatively minor. I would let price be you guide. Assuming good condition the older 440s are going to give you most of the benefit of the newest 404 Z3, at about 20% of the cost.
Styrrell
“If the price is right, why not?”
Because the bearings could be shot,
because they could be horriblely out of true,
because the rim could be cracked, warped, or worn,
or because the breaking surface could be shot.
I wouldn’t recommend to anyone to buy a wheel that old off e-bay. The chance that the wheel is blown-out is just to great. If you buy a newer wheel off ebay and it has problems, you can usually replace that part, with a wheel that old, I would be very suprised if Zipp has anything that closely resembles the original part.
I agree with buyer beware, but not much about the 440 is not replaceable. The modern rims can replace the older rims, new spokes can be bought, the bearings are replaceable, and the whole hub can be replaced. I’m not even sure if the braking surface can wear out as a practical matter.
Styrrell
Gimme a break, Mark Allen went sub 8:10 in Hawaii on 440 wheels back around 1992. You tech freaks are so out to lunch. The Zipp 440 is MORE AERO than most of the so called AERO CRAP sold on the market today. They might be old, but they are not “out of date technology” especially for the pedestrian speeds of most of us posers on this forum.
Amen. The rim’s depth is of primary importance. Everything else is pretty much insignificant (i.e. a few seconds over a 40k TT). But the new decals sure are pretty.
i have one i think about selling,just because something is a few years old does not mean its crap.my wheel has less then a hundred miles on it,but i guess you think that makes it outdated
.
you are a breath of fresh air…thank you.
“But the new decals sure are pretty.”
Isn’t that what half the cost of a new wheel is for??
Randall T, if it is a 440 Front with an American Classic Hub, I a interested in buying it. The carbon Zipp Ballistic hubs were not that great (bond at the carbon to Al interface was the point of failure/play), but that was just a “superlight” but not as “robust” hub. The overall technology in the wheel, was, and remains excellent.
I seriously saw a set of 2005 Zipp 404 decals sell for $78 on ebay. Mind you, they can be purchased from Zipp for about $20. I need to get into the carbon fiber bike equipment business. Like fish in a barrel.
I have a set of 10 year old ZIPP 440 tubulars that work for me just fine. Had one of the best wheel builders in the area build them up for me. The are light, strong, comfortable and I see no reason for a huge out lay of money for an upgrade. Although to be truthful, I aquired them through my sponsorship program I had with ZIPP at the time. Nice wheels!
I don’t race much these days, but love to break out the 440’s for the odd ride to let me feel, “the feel” again.
Fleck
I bought a 440 off ebay for $100. It’s the lightest wheel I own, bladed spokes, feels fast. It’s also the smoothest-rolling hub I have (includes some Dura-Aces) - though I realize this is a wholly irrelevant measure, it adds to my confidence… I’ve been racing on it for several years. I figure I put a couple hundred miles a year on it, so it will last me quite a few more years. They went through a couple of evolutions, the one I have I think is the first one made, with the carbon/gold aluminium hub. Apparently these hubs were problematic, so maybe steer clear of them if you can. Otherwise I can’t see a problem.
This plus a Hed Jet Deep on the rear is worth about 1-2min over 15miles for me. Last year I placed in AG: 2nd by 2sec over 3rd, 3rd by 20sec over 4th, 4th by 20sec behind 3rd… etc. For me the minute is worth it…