Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

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2008-09-28 4:48 PM

Extreme Veteran
1030
100025
West Windsor, NJ
Subject: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
I am looking to upgrade my Specialized Roubaix next year with some good wheels. I dont want to break the bank (wife will have a fit, especially given the past two weeks in the financial sector). So my question is: what is the best bang for the buck? I dont have a $5,000 bike, so I am just looking to upgrade my wheels, get some better/more efficient speed, but I dont want to "over do" it.

Thoughts?

2008-09-28 4:55 PM
in reply to: #1701938

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Davenport, IA
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
I like the new HED Jet C2's I picked up.  Got a sweet deal on them too.  Might be something to consider.
2008-09-28 5:09 PM
in reply to: #1701938

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Elite
2527
200050025
Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

For training, racing, or both? Terrain (flat vs hills) plays a role in deciding as well.

IMO, I'd steer clear from Blackwells for the moment only because of the uncertainty of the business right now; if they go under, so does any warrantee. If they can refinance and hold their heads up AND then finally develop some new graphics to replace their current buttfugly ones then maybe...

There are quite a few here who will agree that a HED trispoke front and a disc cover on the rear, or a true flat disc rear (HED, Renn) are about the best bang for your buck as far as an all-round aero set goes that can be used for training and racing. 

2008-09-28 7:05 PM
in reply to: #1701938

Extreme Veteran
1030
100025
West Windsor, NJ
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
These would be race wheels. I can use my existing Mavics for training. Also: let's throw this into the equation: tubulars or clinchers? I have only dealt with clinchers in the past...should I switch to tubes for racing?
2008-09-28 7:58 PM
in reply to: #1702148

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Elite
2527
200050025
Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

Sticking with your own "biggest bang for your buck" criteria, I'll stand by the trispoke front, disc rear (or disc cover for <$100 custom cut) shop around and you can get a set for around $800.

And stick with what you know: clinchers are cheaper to fix a flat ($5 tube vs $80 tubular tire). 

2008-09-29 8:55 AM
in reply to: #1701938

Extreme Veteran
1030
100025
West Windsor, NJ
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
Or how about a HED3 Tri-Spoke combined with something like a Jet C2 on the rear? Cost seems similar whether I did Jet C2s all around or the Tri-Spoke combo (and I would think the tri-spoke has to be a faster wheel, no?).


2008-09-29 10:15 AM
in reply to: #1702849

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Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

Tried and true (and Slowtwitch approved) would be a Hed trispoke front and a disc cover rear.  You find a decent used tri spoke and the cover and you have only spent in the +/- $600 range and get one of the faster combinations out there.

I'm partial to Zipps of course, but you said you were on a budget ......

2008-09-29 12:20 PM
in reply to: #1701938

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New user
149
10025
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

Not to hijack but along the lines of making you faster at the wheels. How much does the hub/bearings add into the reducing friction, making you more efficient ? Or is the main draw w/ aero wheels just that they make you more aero and don't reallyhave any physical rotational advantage other than aero and have a reduced rim weight (flywheel effect)?  

 Reason I ask is I have a stock Cervelo P2 wheel set, any reason I should add a disc cover or am I trying to polish a turd? Will changing the hub make a difference? 

2008-09-29 2:42 PM
in reply to: #1701938

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Member
51
2525
Motor City USA
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
Best bang for the buck for a racing wheelset is going to be a cover for your rear.

As far as fronts go, a H3 is a good wheel, with a proven track record, but no my bag.

I've got two sets of zipps (303's and 404's) and used to have the Blackwell 100's and I have to say that the set that 'feels' the best are the tubie 303's on my road bike.

however, I think that the wind tunnel does not lie and the 404's are problably faster on my tribike.

Conventional wisdom is that deeper is better but for me 58mm is pleanty deep, and I feel that any aero advantage to a 100mm deep wheel is lost trying to control the thing on a windy day.

But that is just me.
2008-09-29 4:42 PM
in reply to: #1701938

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2008-09-29 4:46 PM
in reply to: #1704636

Elite
2527
200050025
Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

betsy - 2008-09-29 5:42 PM Where is the best place to get a rear wheel cover, I looked around and only seem to find them to fit 700's and being small my bike is fitted with 650's.  Not that I need one since I only ride at 16 mph

www.wheelbuilder.com

 

2008-10-01 1:09 PM
in reply to: #1701938

Veteran
307
100100100
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
Another dumb wheel cover question. Is this something you have to special order? Does it require you to send in your wheel? Can you just buy a 700C wheel cover and stick it on your wheel?
2008-10-01 1:24 PM
in reply to: #1709216

Elite
2527
200050025
Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?

http://www.wheelbuilder.com/closeup.asp?cid=25&pid=185&offset=0

plug in your info, send your money, they custom cut the disc cover to fit your specific wheels and ship it off to you. You can buy generic, un-cut covers and trim them yourself - a BTer did just that and posted the details with pics (can't for the life of me remember...) but for the extra $25, let the pros do it and be guaranteed to fit. 

Edited for all the d@mn splleing errers



Edited by sty 2008-10-01 1:25 PM
2008-10-01 1:28 PM
in reply to: #1701938

Veteran
162
1002525
Fort Worth, TX
Subject: RE: Blackwells or Zipps or Rols?
Along that same line, can a wheel cover go on any set of wheels?  Or does it have to be with something specific.  I have fulcrum 5 wheels on my bike.  Would a cover work with these?
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