Zipp 404 v Dura Ace

snedden9485

What are peoples thoughts on the dura ace 7850 50mm clincher v a zipp 404 clincher. Both a similar weight (around the 1650g mark). The 404 has a deeper section (58mm) and is dimpled.

I am after them as race wheels, with the majority of the races being on flat and undulating courses where the speed will generally be around the 40 km/h region (something like 25 mph). I have been told by a bike shop owner that the dura ace tend to corner better as they dont have as high a rim section and the earo benefit isnt any better?

What are peoples thoughts on comparing these wheels?

The dura ace are much cheaper too!

James_London

Zipp 303/404 clinchers aren't very stiff. If you're a heavier sprinter this might be a consideration. The difference in rim section won't impact handling a great deal (or at least you'll happily get used to either after riding them for a bit) and if you're on flat undulating courses then deeper will be marginally better aerodynamically.

The main difference as you say is the price. I don't know what pricing is like in Australia but the premium for the Zipps over the 50mm 7850s or something like a Mavic Cosmic Carbone is a not justified.

If you go for Zipps, get the tubulars. If you have to stick with clinchers, 50mm 7850s or Carbone SL. The SLRs again I'd say are not worth the premium and the large holes where the spokes enter the fairing are aerodynamically questionable. The tubular 7850s are also very nice though Shimano have a bunch of other high end wheels in the works - C35, C75 etc though not clear when they'll be on sale.

snedden9485

Thanks for the info.

Think i will get some DA 7850s. Cant seem to find the mavics anywhere on the net (eg PBK, WIggle etc). Wiggle have the 7850s for a good price and can be bought singally, so i can import them without paying import tax. Im spewing i didnt buy them a few weeks back as they were an extra 10% off. I will wait until wiggle have another sale on wheelsets and il jump on them.

Also a little weary on the zipps for build quality, have heard some dodgy stories about them. Havent heard bad things about the DA wheels.

James_London

The Mavics are everywhere! Here you go

Dura Ace 7850s are £940 here or CRC do a lot of business abroad and have them for £900

Zipp wheels are assembled for the UK market by the UK importer and an experienced wheelbuilder I know has said quality control is not as good as for US assembled Zipps and he's seen some issues. Clearly he's got an axe to grind but I trust his opinion as he wasn't trying to sell me anything else at the time!

tos145

Hope this is not too late !
I was having the same thought like you but ended up buying myself a pair of Dura-ace 7850 C50. Well, in where I live the pair costs aroun £600 only which is £400 cheaper than Zipp 404c. This Shimano wheels serve me right tho giving me a second chance I would go for Zipp 404. I guess it's just the cool factor and somehow after tested feeling that Zipp 404 is a faster wheel.

Yeahhh

Anonymous

I have some Zipps (808 rear and 404 front) but they are the tubs.

If I was going for Clincher I would have no hesitation to get the Shimanos instead...

Monty Dog

Wouldn't touch Zipps because of their poor quality and reliability - you're effectively paying £500 for some dimples! Everyone I know with Zipps has had to return them for various problems, plus they are flexy and fragile. Check out weightweenies if you want some views on carbon wheels.

Anonymous

Monty Dog wrote:

Wouldn't touch Zipps because of their poor quality and reliability - you're effectively paying £500 for some dimples! Everyone I know with Zipps has had to return them for various problems, plus they are flexy and fragile. Check out weightweenies if you want some views on carbon wheels.

Funny that, everyone I know that has used / uses Zipps hasn't had a problem and raves about them. Including me!

akkers

NapoleonD wrote:

Monty Dog wrote:

Wouldn't touch Zipps because of their poor quality and reliability - you're effectively paying £500 for some dimples! Everyone I know with Zipps has had to return them for various problems, plus they are flexy and fragile. Check out weightweenies if you want some views on carbon wheels.

Funny that, everyone I know that has used / uses Zipps hasn't had a problem and raves about them. Including me!

Ditto - I recall Monty singing the same old song for some time now. Had my 303 tubs 18m now and no issues with them.....and by the way the dimple technology works.