Anybody heard of these wheels?
I hear they are to be released in 2006, as a cheaper option to the 404’s. True?
What’s the word?
IrnBru
The sneak release emphasized that the Flashpoint will be an affordable alloy clincher option. At $1100 a pair, they are $550 less than the current Zipp 404 and 303 wheelsets. They will be available in 40 or 60mm carbon rim depth, built up on black stainless aero DT spokes and Japanese-made hubs with sealed-cartridge bearings and will be Campy and Shimano compatible. And as is always the case with Zipp, they will be completely American-built. The 40mm deep version will weigh 924 grams, the 60mm version 984 grams. See more at www.zipp.com.
http://www.triathletemag.com/story.cfm?story_id=10927&publicationID=92&pageID=1705
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2005/shows/interbike05/?id=results/interbike0518
Thanks manonfire, shame they won’t be around for Christmas, they would fit in Santa’s sack perfectly.
IrnBru
Looks like plain old Zipps without the “stick-on” dimples. Boy they must make a killing on each wheel they sell.
Looks like a good reason to buy HED’s.
Looks like plain old Zipps without the “stick-on” dimples. Boy they must make a killing on each wheel they sell.
No dimples, and a different lay-up than the old, non-dimpled rims. Basically, you’re getting a better wheel than the 404’s with the old edco hubs from '03. Considering the price increases for all the '06 wheels, these might be a “deal” (can’t believe I just typed that). I’d buy them before a Ksyrium SSL set for the same price - at least there’s an aero advantage.
Edit: I forgot, you can peel the stickers off, too!
There are a lot of good/lighter wheels at this pricepoint plus it’s not a tubie. At a glance the rim reminds me of Corimas with a lesser hub.
“The 40mm deep version will weigh 924 grams, the 60mm version 984 grams.”
I’m not buyin that one. The 202s - Zipp’s lightest wheelset - weights 1,020 grams and has only a 25 mm rim depth. Looks like either a typo to me, or it’s the weight of the rear wheel only.
"There are a lot of good/lighter wheels at this pricepoint plus it’s not a tubie. At a glance the rim reminds me of Corimas with a lesser hub. "
Some of don’t want to run tubulars, and feel we have some very good reasons for doing so.
Just curious, what deep clincher wheels at this price point do you see as better? The Hed Alps is a bit lighter and cheaper, but the deep rim is just a fairing and I’ve seen some mixed opinions about their reliability. Spinergys? Lots of mixed opinions about quality.
I am not triathlon’s biggest spender, but I didn’t flinch too much at dropping the cash on a set of 404s about a year ago, or a few thousand for a new P3. I like having good stuff.
But when an $1100 set of race wheels is considered a bargain, I am wondering if the day is approaching when I say “to hell with this” and bolt a set of open pros to an aluminum road bike and go back to just having fun.
“The Hed Alps is a bit lighter and cheaper, but the deep rim is just a fairing”
The HED Alps carbon rim is NOT just a fairing. You must be thinking of the HED JETS…
How can a wheel be “completely American-built” when they have “Japanese-made hubs”
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To be accurate, they’re Taiwanese hubs with upgraded Japanese bearings.
“Assembled in America” would be the precise description. I think if you’re planning on purchasing clincher 303’s or 404’s, these would be a smarter buy. I haven’t even ordered clincher Zipp’s - just Flashpoint’s. Makes more sense to order Zipp’s as tubies. Zipp’s are up to $1750 per wheelset for '06, btw.
Those weights are way off, too. They’re closer 1600-1700 grams, I believe - same as the real weights of Ksyrium’s.
Here’s a link to the wheels. For some reason, Zipp has a separate website for these…
A couple of things…they’re NOT an old, non-dimpled 303/404 rim. The rim is new, and doesn’t have the bulging shape to it. Also, the method of construction looks completely different to anything they’ve done since 2001 or so.
The only way I found this was that I picked up a brochure at the show.
They look like boring Hed’s.
“The Hed Alps is a bit lighter and cheaper, but the deep rim is just a fairing”
The HED Alps carbon rim is NOT just a fairing. You must be thinking of the HED JETS…
Well, the spokes go through the carbon portion and attach to the aluminum rim. Perhaps the carbon part adds a bit of stiffness to the rim, but it sure appears to me that the alumimum rim is the key structural element on the Alps.
How can a wheel be “completely American-built” when they have “Japanese-made hubs” <<
Exactly. Interested in seeing the build quality on the hubs. I’m assuming they had to shave cost somewhere.
I can’t believe they have the balls to call this average set of wheels priced at $1100 a bargain. I just lost a lot of respect for Zipp. You can find wheels this good at much lower prices pretty much everywhere.
Some of don’t want to run tubulars, and feel we have some very good reasons for doing so.
**No disputing that. The clincher is the only choice but I believe that is Zipps point. To build a clincher that is on par quality ******
Just curious, what deep clincher wheels at this price point do you see as better? The Hed Alps is a bit lighter and cheaper, but the deep rim is just a fairing and I’ve seen some mixed opinions about their reliability. Spinergys? Lots of mixed opinions about quality.
Contrary to most of the Zipp lovers beliefs Hed wheels are good quality. Not sure where the fairing comment comes from but I believe the quality of the Hed hub is what is compared to other wheels. I would throw in Blackwells and Mavic Carbon Cosmics to the mix. Blackwells are lighter with a solid rep for less $ while the hubs on the mavic are battle tested for a little more. JMO
“The 40mm deep version will weigh 924 grams, the 60mm version 984 grams.”
I’m not buyin that one. The 202s - Zipp’s lightest wheelset - weights 1,020 grams and has only a 25 mm rim depth. Looks like either a typo to me, or it’s the weight of the rear wheel only.
I think the weight reference was just for the rear wheel.