Which to buy Zipp 60 or Shimano 9000 50 Clinchers?

[litespeeddi2]

Hi All,

Got a real dilemma on which wheels to buy! Should I go for the Shimano 9000 50 or the new Zipp 60? The weight is within a few grams but the hubs on the Zipps are not the same as on the higher end wheels. Any thoughts?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-dura-ace-9000-c50-clincher-wheelset-2013/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zipp-60-clincher-rear-wheel-2013/

Cheers,

Martin

 

[veganrob]

Friends don't let friends buy Zipp wheels.

 

[simo1733]

I have Zipp 404s I'm not impressed with the quality.

 

[42x16ss]

Friends don't let friends buy Zipp wheels.

Agreed!

If a gun was held to my head I'd get the Shimano's. A better option is to get some DA 9000 hubs, ENVE 33 or 50mm rims and find a decent wheelbuilder.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Hi All,

Got a real dilemma on which wheels to buy! Should I go for the Shimano 9000 50 or the new Zipp 60? The weight is within a few grams but the hubs on the Zipps are not the same as on the higher end wheels. Any thoughts?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-dura-ace-9000-c50-clincher-wheelset-2013/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zipp-60-clincher-rear-wheel-2013/

Cheers,

Martin

shimano hubs are far superior as are the wheels in general.

 

[L29205]

I would not recommend the ZIPP's While their rims are okay they are not the best at the price point and the hubs suck. The Shimano's are better but without more information, such as your weight and the planned use (ie training, racing only, time trail only, or a combo). It is hard to make a good recommendation.

A quick blind recommendation, would be Enve 45 clincher with DA hubs from a custom builder. If you are not concerned about having deep carbon rims but are looking for what is best. There are a couple of options. If you want a mid deep rim the Kinlin XR-380 with Spamin spokes and spend a bit more a good hub (edco, DT Swiss, etc). Rim depth not a concern the H Plus Son rim with above.

 

[SirLes]

Having just done the same myself, I would absolutely recommend talking to an actual wheelbuilders and getting something made up specifically for you.

I'd never done it before but having read these threads for a long time decided to try handbuilt. Wish I'd done it before. The negative comments regarding various factory built wheels are not just snobbishness. It is actually common sense. Chose the best rim, spokes and hubs for your needs and budget and then get someone who is sticking their reputation on the line to put it together.

Mine were made by Strada, based on the south coast. (I'm assuming you're UK based). Check out their website and email them what you're looking for. I live near by so could actually visit in person and collect them myself but you don't need to. Nice guys. Of course there are lots of others out there.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Having just done the same myself, I would absolutely recommend talking to an actual wheelbuilders and getting something made up specifically for you.

I'd never done it before but having read these threads for a long time decided to try handbuilt. Wish I'd done it before. The negative comments regarding various factory built wheels are not just snobbishness. It is actually common sense. Chose the best rim, spokes and hubs for your needs and budget and then get someone who is sticking their reputation on the line to put it together.

Mine were made by Strada, based on the south coast. (I'm assuming you're UK based). Check out their website and email them what you're looking for. I live near by so could actually visit in person and collect them myself but you don't need to. Nice guys. Of course there are lots of others out there.

Reality, what a concept.

 

[Master50]

Some wheels cannot be built aftermarket. Yes the idea that you can buy a great hub, choose the lightest spokes and your favourite rim but you will get at least 24 spokes and 2 cross without some odd spoking and compromise of the hubs. Using a 32 hole hub to generate a 16 spoke wheel.
Then for UCi events the rim used must be crash tested and I wonder if Zipp or ENVE submitted their wheels and rims to the testing protocol.
While I completely doubt any domestic race is going to have an equipment check for wheels and being on the crash test list. Note that crash test is only required for mass start events so TT wheels are not an issue.
An illustration of my point was the original Shamal wheel. I think it was a 2o spoke front wheel with an aluminum rim. In the crash tests it was discovered the rim was so strong that when it was crash tested the spokes broke at the hub and at the rim and the rim could be separated from the hub with all those little skewers poking out. End of the Shamal wheel in that configuration.
For a Pro team it has gotten so only shallow box section rims can be laced to standard hubs without sending the resultant wheels to the lab in Europe to break them and see how they break. I always wonder what a good lawyer can do after a crash is you are riding illegal wheels in a sanctioned event and anyone is injured from your wheel?

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Some wheels cannot be built aftermarket. Yes the idea that you can buy a great hub, choose the lightest spokes and your favourite rim but you will get at least 24 spokes and 2 cross without some odd spoking and compromise of the hubs. Using a 32 hole hub to generate a 16 spoke wheel.
Then for UCi events the rim used must be crash tested and I wonder if Zipp or ENVE submitted their wheels and rims to the testing protocol.
While I completely doubt any domestic race is going to have an equipment check for wheels and being on the crash test list. Note that crash test is only required for mass start events so TT wheels are not an issue.
An illustration of my point was the original Shamal wheel. I think it was a 2o spoke front wheel with an aluminum rim. In the crash tests it was discovered the rim was so strong that when it was crash tested the spokes broke at the hub and at the rim and the rim could be separated from the hub with all those little skewers poking out. End of the Shamal wheel in that configuration.
For a Pro team it has gotten so only shallow box section rims can be laced to standard hubs without sending the resultant wheels to the lab in Europe to break them and see how they break. I always wonder what a good lawyer can do after a crash is you are riding illegal wheels in a sanctioned event and anyone is injured from your wheel?

Original Shamal was 16 F and R(1993/4)..next gen was 12 spoke F and R, then last gen with deep aluminum rim was 16R and 12F.