Roval or Zipp?

[rob999]

I’d like to upgrade my wheel set (Ksyrium Elite S) and I’ve been leaning to some aero inspired examples due to living in the Norfolk badlands.

I’ve looked at DT Swiss PRC1100’s, Bontrager Aeolus 5’s but I think I’m down to a list of two.

Zipp 302’s; can be had for around £900. But then the lure of some Roval CLX50’s is strong; is the difference for circa £5-600 going to be that clear?

They will be clinchers and on rim brakes. Any opinions?

[Matt_N]

The Roval's are nice wheels, DT spokes and star ratchet hub internals and Ceramicspeed bearings, they're very wide though at 29.4mm external and 21mm internal, worth checking your frame and brakes can accommodate that and the subsequent tyre width as a result. A club mate runs them with 25mm Vittoria Corsa tyres which come up at 27.5mm on them.

The Zipp 302 is not quite as wide externally at 26.2mm max but the internal width is way short at 16.2mm which is quite narrow by today's standards. Worth noting that they're not the same profile as a 303 too, apparently don't handle cross winds as well. Sapim spokes and brass nipples make a nice build and hub issues of past are hopefully gone.

Tough choice, considered FFWD F4R carbon clincher? Good rim profile, DT hub internals again with star ratchet if you upgrade from the FFWD branded hubs.

Campagnolo Bora One would be the other option, great wheelset and despite the older V shape rim they still perform well in aero tests, 2018 on version have a new brake track treatment which works very well with the supplied pads.

[oddball1313]

I was going to suggest the Campag's as well, never had any sort of instability with cross winds with my 50's and the braking is superb as well, far better than the aluminium brake track on my fulcrums

[Tri_Doc]

mate is currently using a set of parcours, having been recommended them. He's using an 80mm chrono rear and their passista front and loves them. I've got a set of the chronos on my Tri bike and they're lovely. Well worth a consideration in that price bracket as they're gorgeous wheels. 3rd mate was so impressed he's going to get a set for his bike.

[ALawson]

The 302 got a good review in CW two weeks ago, against Miche and a few others (Mavic from memory).

I am also looking at similar price point, very tight clearance in my SL4 S-Works Tarmac, a 404 (not firecrest) does fit but you can deflect the rim laterally and make the rim tough the stay do for me a little too tight with only 24 spokes (I am 80 kg).

I just got some Alu wheels from this chap.

http://www.spokesmanwheels.co.uk/

I have normally used Malcolm at the cycle clinic but the waiting time was too long.

Chap at spokesmanwheels used Carbonal rims which look pretty good.

Also I think I would be sticking with tubeless on any new wheels which excluded the 302s for me. I see FFWD have a new set of tubeless wheels in which are circa £1600, not many in the UK yet.

My main issue with factory wheel sets is the very high cost to rebuilt when you wear the rim out, I assume carbon wear will be less than aluminium?

[Matt_N]

Tri_Doc said:

mate is currently using a set of parcours, having been recommended them. He's using an 80mm chrono rear and their passista front and loves them. I've got a set of the chronos on my Tri bike and they're lovely. Well worth a consideration in that price bracket as they're gorgeous wheels. 3rd mate was so impressed he's going to get a set for his bike.

I've looked at them before, strong money for what can be bought directly from Farsports, Light Bicycle, Aliexpress etc.

[Tri_Doc]

Matt_N said:

I've looked at them before, strong money for what can be bought directly from Farsports, Light Bicycle, Aliexpress etc.

I've got a set of carbon speed cycle rims from China and although the parcours are made in the East, the UK customer service and the quality of the rims is light years difference to the chinese rims. I understand wheels being put together in the far east is enough to put people off though.

[DS240]

Can’t help with zip/roval question.

I’ve so far been really impressed with a set of Mavic Cosmic UST. (Full carbon, aero, tubeless clincher)

They do seem to be eating the pads though.

Only a set of mid range fulcrums to compare to, but I’ve really started to notice the nice ride comfort (able to run 80-85 psi) and the feeling of maintaining speed and picking up the speed on the mavics.