I know there are a lot of people out there who are really fond of zipp products and paying wayyyy too much for something that really isn’t that expensive, but I just need to get this off my chest. Consumers and dealers should re-consider when buying zipp products. I’m not implying that zipp is a terrible product, because it isn’t, it’s a good product but I think that many consumers have been mislead into believing that there is some aero-dynamic advantages to zipp wheels compared to HED, or Corima, or Credit-Agricole’s PRO. Golf ball dimples on a wheel is completely useless, not to mention a rear wheel as well. It is a KNOWN fact amongst aero junkies that the front wheel is far more important in terms of aero-dynamics than the rear wheel, we can look at wind tunnel testing, and sure we see the difference, obviously any flat surface’s aero data will differ when comparing to a surface filled with dimples, the air travels completely differently over different surfaces so obviously zipp can say well here are the differences, and if you’re a zero pound rider and you have no wind resistance against you which is impossible if you’re riding a bike, you’ll save 40 seconds over 40k or whatever. BULLOCKS. Any aero wheel of the same size and shape will be just as effective. Cyclists need to look beyond “trying to convince” wind tunnel tests and look more towards their own personal performances. Golf ball dimples are on golf balls so that golf balls can fly straighter and more effective through the air. These dimples are totally useless at lower speeds, however at high intensity make a difference. Cyclists can’t ride fast enough for these dimples to make a difference in their speeds, not to mention that a wheel is mounted on a bicycle and is steered by a rider therfore the wheel is completely restricted and cannot go anywhere without the direction of the rider. Wheels aren’t golf balls, they aren’t meant to be hit and they definitely do not share any characteristics which can benefit from a dimpled surface. They do not fly straight through the air, they just displace air and redirect slightly into other obstructions such as your legs. But sure it looks cool, and people who want them will go out and buy them regardless just because of the looks and name. Well that’s cool. If Dimples really made the difference for wheels, then why isnt there a dimpled frame, don’t you think cervelo would put dimples in their frames if the dimples made a difference? When you take a crash are you going to crash faster because of the dimples on your bike? therefore reducing your crash time by .0123 seconds? You can benefit just as much from any low weight aero-wheel. As far as pricing goes for customers, 2000$ a wheelset sometimes more, and sometimes just a little bit less, again image is everything for most, so it doesn’t matter what this rant says it wont change their minds. But when you buy zipps, just know that you are over paying when you can receive just as much aero benefit from any other company for about 500 to 600$ less. Zipps bearing are for the birds by the way.
Retailers, you can go into any shop and buy zipp. Anywhere in the world, for zipp, a sale is a sale, there are crappy sale margins, and you also have to compete with online retailers. These days it’s so easy for virtually anyone to get zipps at OEM pricing, and what’s it going to do to your store, or the store next to yours who also gets zipp, or even the store around the block who gets zipp, and the other store accross town who gets zipp… It’s going to ruin your business. In terms of ethics, zipp is for the birds. Look cool product, attempting to be innovative +++ Monopolizing their market and actually respecting territories of store owners —. Clearly there will be some comment that says i’m an idiot and don’t know what i’m talking about and that aero dynamic professionals are way smarter than i am, but people can tell me this when they finishing their 3rd year as a university student with an engineering major.
cheers.
