Curious as to peoples experience with relatively heavier wheels. I’m considering purchasing some 404’s but rather than tubulars I was going to buy the clinchers. Not really wanting to get into the whole Tubular vs. Clinchers debate as I’m a wheel junky and own and race on both. What I’m curious about is what effect wheel weight has on time trialing on a relatively flat course with few turns? I would think that once you get a heavier wheel rolling it would be easier to keep rolling. I could see how the heavier wheel would be more difficult to get it rolling i.e accelerating or how it could be tougher on long steep climbs but it seems like a heavier wheel with the same dynamics as a very light wheel would roll farther all things being equal.
Wheel weight, and weight on a bike in general, is minimally important all things considered. I would look first to durability, then aerodynamics, then weight and cost. In that order.
The Zipp is a nice wheel, but for 2/3 the price you can get a very competitive option with Spinergy Tiliums. Something to consider.