Zipp 303 carbon tubular front + Zipp disk rear?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi,

my next event is Challenge Bahrain. So, flat course. I just bought a rear Zipp disk wheel. My other wheels are Zipp 303, and some ordinary training wheels.
My question is, are the 303 to low profile for this set up? I can borrow 808 from my friend but I would skip that if my 303 will do the decent work. What could be the difference?

Thank you all for the anwers

2

808 would be faster. But I would think a 303 is “good enough” assuming it has a fast tire glued to it.

303 with a fast tire is likely faster than an 808 with a slow tire.

I am leaning more and more towards the school of thought that with your setup, you are better off spending time looking into position, tires, etc rather than borrowing a deeper wheel that you don’t know/trust.

3

I have Tufo S3 lite at the 303, and bike is Cervelo P3, if it’s important.

4

Based on the Pro Tour races out in the desert, I would think 808’s front and back with fast tires be a safer bet in the desert should the winds kick up.

5

I’ll get the popcorn. This should be fun to watch.

-Scott

6

I think the Tufos are supposed to be pretty terrible. I would buy a Schwalbe Ironman tubular and glue it on.

Or borrow the 808 (if it’s a clincher) and pick from Tom A’s spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1f398PSxFhSj6Zdsjllo14l5XyhOhcmlkzjvHwfKjNOs/edit#gid=361584932

7

Based on the Pro Tour races out in the desert, I would think 808’s front and back with fast tires be a safer bet in the desert should the winds kick up.

I train not that far from there in the desert. Rear disc is absolutely not a problem - deep fronts, however, can be tough on a windy day. When the wind blows it howls, and a passing truck upwind feels like a sledgehammer.

8

808 is faster, but will be a handful if windy (especially if it isn’t a Firecrest model). Disc is fine (and the only sensible choice) regardless of conditions.

9

The firecrest and wide nonfirecrest 303s are very fast for their depth. I’d run what you got. It wasn’t that long ago that a disc and 45mm front wheel was considered pretty ideal.

change the tufos out pronto though… Schwalbe ironman, zipp tangente, something with a latex tube

10

The firecrest and wide nonfirecrest 303s are very fast for their depth. I’d run what you got. It wasn’t that long ago that a disc and 45mm front wheel was considered pretty ideal.

change the tufos out pronto though… Schwalbe ironman, zipp tangente, something with a latex tube
+1. The Tufo sucks. No point in buying a fast wheel and using a slow tire!