Zipp 303's - Clincher or tubular

racingt

Hi guys, I'm interested in a pair of Zipps for pleasure riding to get a little more performance than my current Neutrons, and noticed that the tub versions are considerably lighter than the clinchers at 1393g versus 1623g.
My only experience with tubs was that gluing them on was very messy, but there must be better solutions than that now (tape?)
And I guess that I would need to carry a spare, instead of a spare tube, or 3.
Am I crazy to be considering tubs?
Do Zipp 303's in clincher really go any better than my Campag Neutrons, whcih weigh the same??
Any advice gratefully recieved!

cougie

Well tony Martin won his rainbow bands on hi pressures so not on tubs.
If he doesn't need them - do you ?

In my experience they do feel slightly faster but I think more prone to flats. Maybe I've just been unlucky with them. And yes you'll need a spare tub with you so it's more space than you'd need for that. Tub tape works but normal tyres are easier and cheaper.

SirUlrich

Tubulars most certainly!


I love mine, have put several hundred miles on them this season including a couple of pb's both in time trials as well as up local hills. The ride quality with vittoria cx tubs is fantastic, and glueing them wasn't too bad...just take enough time and wear gloves to keep the glue off yourself and its a doddle. Stick a set of vittoria pave 24mm on them and you shouldn't have any puncture problems judging by the 3000km puncture free miles I have on the clincher versions.

Are you sure the tubs are as much as 1393g now? Mine (2008 rims with the newer 88/188 hubs due to brake clearance issues) came in below 1200g and even with cassette, tires and skewers come in below 2kg for the set! They are almost the ideal single wheels, light enough to climb and yet aero(ish) enough to go time trialling with.

Only thing is, if you are a powerful or bigger rider then consider the cyclocross versions with a few more spokes in the rear - helps keep any flex at bay. I borrowed a friends 16/20 spoke set and noticed a little rear brake rub but mine are 18/24 and have no such issues

Hope that helps

canbakay

u already hav clinchers so that a thought..

my 303/404 comes at 1995g

there is quite a difference between tubs and clinchers in the ride quality but mostly in performance (at least for me as i go up north for the hills)

also the whole messy argument is something you'll laugh about once you glue them on (not tape!)

watch the zipp video on how to glue it and its just like that (but dont pre-strectch vittorias, no need)

i have had a puncture before but thats because i tried to fulfil some sick roubaix fantasy - used the vittoria pit stop and it worked just fine as they say it would

(they puncture much less frequent than clinchers)

but wait a few weeks cuz the new 303 firecrest is about to hit the floors.

canbakay

also forgot to say, when it comes to clinchers with zipps; i think the deeper ones are acceptable 404/808 etc..triathlon stuff for speedy repairs plus weight doesnt really mattter for triathletes on flat roads. but i can say from experience if you get the 303s in clincher youll regret it...knowing how much better the tubs are...ive got 404 in clinchrs as well but thats for loooooooong pleasure rides + wet weather competitive.

racingt

Thanks guys, yes my weight on tubs was wrong, they are 1171g not 1393g. Since I already have Neutron clinchers, there doesn't seem a lot of point going for clincher 303's, so I'll save my £££'s and go for the tubs - keep for best & fast rides, and make the Enigma XCR really fly!!
Any more advice appreciated, thanks