Would you buy a Zipp 404 wheelset with Shimano Ultegra 6600 hubs if it meant saving $800 off the price of a pair of 404’s with the Zipp hubs?
Absolutely. The speed is in the aero rim. A few extra grams in the hubs don’t make that much difference and Ultegra hubs are pretty good to start with.
yes - wheelbuilder lists the price of a zipp front hub at 188 and a rear at 354
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Absolutely. The speed is in the aero rim. A few extra grams in the hubs don’t make that much difference and Ultegra hubs are pretty good to start with.
Not entirely. The spoke count is going to be higher. While this could mean a stronger wheel, it will mean a less aerodynamic wheel.
It will be less aero, but $800 is a lot to save if price more of a concern.
you don’t know that for sure…
i could use a pair of 32H hubs and build it with 16H front skipping alternate holes and with a triplet lacing to match a 24H in the rear.
This is true. I was just offering that the comparison isn’t just 404 with Zipp/Ultegra hubs. There needs to be more data.
Hmm, I’m not hearing a lot of concern about performance (weight, longevity) differences, but more about aero. I know they’ll have DT Swiss bladed spokes but not sure of the spoke count options if any.
What would the spoke count front/rear be for a standard set of 404. By the way they’re tubulars in case that matters.
Standard 404’s are 18/24 hole. The 6600 hubs are available in 18/24 hole. If the spoke count of the wheels works for your weight, I’d definitely go with the Shimano hubs.
The longevity should not be a big deal because you will most likely not be training on them. Hubs will last a long time no matter what, a Zipp hub may last 30,000 miles while an ultegra hub lasts 28,000, but who cares when you’re talking 5-10 years down the road. Hubs offer practically no rotating weight either so your climbing skills should not diminish with a heavier hub. Go with Ultegra and stand out.
My Zipps are on White Industry hubs. Ultegras are nice, but I wanted cartridge bearings. DT Swiss paired with Zipp would also be nice.
Longevity would not be an issue, the Ultegra hubs are near bomb proof. My point earlier was that spoke count differences can result in differences in aero properties. If these are both new wheels and you get to choose the hubs, then the Ultegra is the better option since you’ll specify the spoke count.
My Zipps have Ultegra hubs and I’m happy with them.