Zipp Wheelsets

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by U5002
I was reading some product reviews for Zipp 303 & 404's and the majority of the rewiews were not favorable in terms of durability and staying in true. The rewiews were favorable in terms of ride quality. I'd be interested in hearing what folks who have owned a set of these wheels have experienced with these wheelsets and other high end aero wheels.

I posed the same question a week or two ago in @.efda1dc/7]this thread.

Most, if not all, of the common complaints regarding rim failures stem from the 2002 and earlier 303 and 404 clinchers. Zipp overhauled the design in 2003 as a response to the complaints, and I had read that the new rims were much sturdier (though about 50g heavier). I wasn't able to find many user reviews for the '03 303s and 404s, hence this thread.

You'll find a few good responses there. A few quotes:

Quoted post said:

I had a few pairs of '02 clinchers that Zipp warrantied once they flared. I've got several sets of '03's (on my 29" mtb, 29" single speed, road bike, cross bike, etc...) and have yet to have a problem. One set of 303's was raced over 1000 miles on a mountain bike this year, all in Colorado, and has yet to give me any trouble. Another set (different bike) has close to 6000 off-road, high mountain miles on it with the same result--no problems. I use normal Kool-Stop brake pads on all my bikes.

Quoted post said:

2003 Zipp 404 clinchers, Vittoria EVO tires / 1000 miles, many on rough tar-and-chip roads / No problems, whatsoever!

Quoted post said:

I have the 404 clinchers. Same rim as the 303's. I had rim warp with a pair of 404's purchased in 2002. They replaced the rims free of charge last year and I have ridden them over 1500 miles this season as daily use rims. Not a bit of trouble.

Hope this helps!

I have had a pair of 303 tubulars for 4 months. They have about 1000 race kilometres on them. I do not use them for training on...no surprises there as they are a long way from cheap! To race on they are quite extraordinary, so fast it is a joke.
I am unsure of the reliability issues of those in the past but my ones are great. I think that if you are a lighter guy ( I am 74kgs ) and use them only for racing they will fly you to the line.

Look at the Reynolds composites line. No known warranty or failure issues/

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by eaglecycling
Look at the Reynolds composites line. No known warranty or failure issues/

Sure, because no one actually uses them 😉

Zipp is partially a victim of their own success- their wheels are the "standard" for carbon wheels- they are everywhere. I'm curious what actual percentage of the wheels are problematic, vs. the sheer number. I wonder if it is a QC issue or a real problem.