Bontrager Aeolus 9.0 Vs. Zipp 1080/404

I would personally go with the clinchers, they may be a little heavier, but the tube/tire replacement will be cheaper, and easier and for me that is a factor. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the respective websites say that the Zipp pair would be 2877g and the Bontrager pair would be 1840g, making the clinchers lighter.  Am I reading that incorrectly???

404/1080 tubular combination is much lighter

404 front - 582 grams
1080 rear - 906 grams

The 404/1080 pair would be around 1475g; I believe you were summing the 404 and 1080 wheelsets.

If it were me, I would not go with either set and instead go with something like an SRAM 60/80 or Hed Jeb 60/90 with a cover for the rear.  However, that is in part due to the fact that personally I don't like the hassle of tubulars and if I'm going to go with clinchers, would prefer the performance on an aluminum braking surface.

Shane

Personally I would go with the Zipps. I've never used the Bontrager's but have owned multiple sets of Zipps and have always been satisfied. Once you get the hang of tubulars they are just as easy, if not easier than clinchers.

As others have mentioned, tubulars do run about a bit more than tubulars for the same tire.

Check out probikekit.com for tires. It's a UK store but they have cheapest price around for tires and free shipping to those of us in the States.

One a final note; have you thought of buying a new set SRAM wheels? The S60 run about $1400 new and weigh just under 1900g for a clincher wheel. SRAM also owns Zipp. Buy new and get a warranty.

I haven't yet pulled the trigger on a high-end wheelset for tri, but I'll prob go with AL-rimmed clincher for better braking performance & ease of dealing with flats.  I know of so many horror stories of $$$ wasted on used wheels that turned out to be bad that I generally prefer to buy wheels new.   Although I did get my Ksyrium SSC SL's used from a local rider I know takes great care of his stuff.

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the input.  I haven't pulled the trigger on them yet...just trying to weigh my options.  I actually did want to go with the zipp AL clinchers, but haven't come across them used quite yet.  And yeah...I think i was summing the wheelsets.  That did seem kind of crazy to me.

As far as braking power...how much of a difference is it with an aluminum rim and normal brakes vs. a carbon rim and cork brakes??  Is it only that big of a difference in wet conditions???