General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking? Rss Feed  
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2009-06-26 8:47 PM

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Master
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Columbus, Ohio
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Subject: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
OK, a pair of Zipp 303s came with my tri bike. I have a race Sunday, so I thought I'd put on the Zipps tonight, try them tomorrow and make sure everything's OK, and race with them.

the valves are too short to work with my pump

No problem! I will change out the tubes to the long-valve ones I bought for spares.

1) I am having serious problems getting the tires off the rims. I am no stranger to tire changing. Once did it 3 times during a race. I know how to do it. I cannot get these puppies off. I've got 3 tire levers going, and can't "slide" the levers around at all because they won't budge. I did get both tubes changed (15 minutes each??) but the tube I put in the front was bad and now I have to change it again. You would think I would have discovered the secret by now.

Is there something different about race wheels making this so hard? Tips?



2) Are Zipps supposed to make a clicking noise when they spin slowly? When they are going fast, there's no noise really, but when they slow down there is a click. Nothing is touching the spokes or anything. It's on a workstand and I'd be able to see it. Is it the bearings? The hub?

HELP!

Sorry! I know I should not be doing this race weekend!! I really appreciate anyone answering. Thanks!

-Alice
(David Tri's wife)


2009-06-26 8:57 PM
in reply to: #2246691

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Master
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Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?

Zipp wheels run bigger than most wheels which makes it harder to get tires on and off. I have found that different tires work better with Zipp wheels because of the difference in allowable tolerance of the size of the tire. If you think the tire is hard to get off, wait until you try to get it back on.

I am not aware of any clicking noise associated with Zipp wheels.

Good luck!

2009-06-26 9:15 PM
in reply to: #2246691

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Master
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Columbus, Ohio
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Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
Thanks for answering. I did a few searches and saw that new tires seem to be harder, too, because they haven't been stretched. I think this is the problem I am having.
I did manage to get two on, and I'm heading back to the basement to put ANOTHER tube in the front one and try to get it back on.


I'll take the rear ZIPP off again and see if it makes the noise when I spin it while holding the hub in my hands.
Stay tuned.
2009-06-26 10:22 PM
in reply to: #2246691

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Master
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Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
Well, it doesn't make the noise when I spin the rear wheel in my hand, but I don't see anything that could be touching it.

As far as the tires, I am so frustrated I'm about to cry. I did successfully get the rear one done. On the front one I have now put a hole in THREE tubes. I have to use the lever to get the tire back on, and I can't avoid hurting the tube, try as I might. I'm so pissed.

I had a list of 10 things to do, and got stuck on that one. Now my day tomorrow is all messed up, too, because I have to go to the bike shop to figure out the ticking noise and have them install the tube because my hands are raw and I keep breaking the tubes. I've gone through $20 in 650c special order tubes now, so I may as well pay them $7 to put it on. DAMN! I'm so pissed!!!!!!!

Why can't they make tires that a normal person can get on without a lever???????

I'm in the weightroom at least once a week, if not twice. I'm not a damn pansy. AAARGGH!!!!
2009-06-29 6:13 AM
in reply to: #2246691

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Master
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Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
Well, I took the wheel to the bike shop, and they agreed that Continental tires are the hardest, and Zipp wheels are the hardest. Plus 650s are harder than 700s.
So they struggled REALLY hard - two guys who do these all day long. It was actually heartening.
The two of them actually pulled on it together and could not get it over the rim without a tool.

So the main guy used a tire lever, which he BROKE trying to get it over the rim.
He was able to get it on using a different tire lever.

I have to tell you, the longer it took them, the better I felt! I knew I wasn't that incompetent at changing a flat!

So I ended up giving him one of the patched tubes to use, and it held for the race, which was great.

Also, they didn't even charge me! He said it was his challenge for the day.

Thanks for all the help!

(Oh, and Zipps are supposed to make that ticking noise as they go around, he said.)
2009-06-29 7:34 AM
in reply to: #2246691

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
I don't know what Zipps the guy is talking about, because NO wheels are supposed to tick unless it is the pawls in the free hub working.  Especially if it doesn't do it when the wheel is off the bike.  To me that means that once the bearings are "loaded" that one of them is not quite right and is hitting something rhythmically.

I'd personally have the bearings checked out and replaced.


2009-06-29 8:04 AM
in reply to: #2246691

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Master
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Southern Ontario
Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
I find that the cassette on my disk is WAY louder than the cassette on my regular rim.  It's almost annoying and I have to pedal all the time just to avoid it.  (No sneaking up on anyone with that thing on!)

I'm glad you got everything worked out.
2009-06-29 8:17 PM
in reply to: #2246691

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Master
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Subject: RE: Urgent question - Zipp 303 clinchers - problem changing tire and also clicking?
Yes, Daremo, that's exactly what he said it is.
Sort of a ratcheting as it goes along.
It is quite loud. I think my wheels on my Bianchi sound like that, but the Eastons that I train on with my tri bike had virtually no noise, so I was freaked out by the Zipps.

They went plenty fast on race day, so I'm sure there's nothing wrong with them.
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