Does anyone know the difference between the 2004 and 2005 ZIP 404s? Is the difference big enough to wait for the '05s to become available (they are currently backordered.) Or, will the improvement in the '04 404 over a “standard” wheel be “good enough?”
Thanks for any feedback!
I think one of the main differences is the golf ball like divits in the rim. Maybe they’ve updated the hub too, not sure. Overall, if you can save money by getting the 2004’s, I’d go for them.
Go for 2004 set as long as they are 2004 prices… I can’t believe the divits really make all that much of a difference.
Either way you slice it, 404’s are faster than “standard” wheels. The differences between '04 and '05 are:
-05’s have dimpled rims (very very slight aero advantage)
-05 hubs have been redesigned
The hubs were redesigned so that the 303’s can have 24 spokes in the rear, as opposed to 28 in the past. They now use the same hubs as the 404’s, which saves Zipp some bucks. If the 2004 version is cheaper, get them. They are very nice wheels. You won’t notice a difference between the '04’s and '05’s (I’ve ridden both).
Minimal. My 10 year old Zipp wheels, where used by my girlfriend this weekend to win the overall title at this past weekend’s Peterborough 1/2 IM Triathlon.
It’s not about the wheels!
Fleck