Is this rideable. I need to know before I purchase
Before I purchase this disk will I need to know from you guys if this is a usable will or would it be a waste of $300?
These are several more pictures of the ZIPP rear disc wheel that I’m wondering if it is completely a waste of $300 or could I put a sticker or have the bike shop put some epoxy over the abrasions?
I would not touch that with a 10 foot pole. That’s a 3000$ wheel. The fact that is selling for 300 is a huge red flag. Probably needa to be fixed and you will spend more money on it. Save you money and get something else…
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Oh my goodness. So The disc wheel is in That bad of shape?
The seller told me that the former owner would put tape over the small dings, so water would not get into the wheel. But you think this is a no go? I value your opinion as well as others.
Just look at the price. If it was easy fix or perfectly functional he would probably ask way more than $300. That’s just 10% of the original price. Would you sell a perfectly functional but cosmetic damaged for 10% of the original price? I wouldn’t. I would use it myself.
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OK. I greatly appreciate your input and I’m gonna proceed with the cancellation of purchase. Thank you so much.
Not 100% sure on the ZIPP disk, but looks like its a carbon outer layer with foam insert (there are other disk wheels that are a normal, spoked wheel inside with a disc fairing). The main structural strength comes from the carbon in the ZIPPs case and you can clearly see that its damaged on several spots. As mentioned above, I would not want to ride that wheel in a TT or Triathlon. Rather save some more money and get some other disk. The nice thing about disk wheels is that they are said to all perform more or less the same when it comes to aerodynamics. We are probably talking a few watts from a bad one to a good one at 45km/h.
So, you would not advise putting epoxy or having the bicycle shop put epoxy on the damaged spots, and or a sticker to cover the dings to prevent water from seeping through the
About 6 months ago, I had a carbon wheel fail during a decent. It was very, very unpleasent and I DNFed the event as a result. I thoroughly agree that no amount of money savings is worth it. It’s objectively damaged and I wouldn’t get on it. I’d ride a box section aluminum clincher from 1990 in my A race before I’d get on a wheel I distrusted.
As mentioned above, a wheel cover is essentially the same aero performance, cheaper ($100,) and safer. They’re fiddly to put on and off, though.
If you wanted to spend more and get a real disc wheel (but at less than Zipp pricing,) there are carbon options from overseas brands in the ~1500 USD range.
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Oh, I know there are for example, in China I did order and pay for a SUPER TEAM Front tri-spoke/rear disc wheelset But I’m so skeptical about it being made in China that I requested a refund. Do you know anything about superteam products? Specifically the will set listed above? If you can be a assistance, I would greatly appreciate your knowledge and input.
I don’t, no. I know Light Bicycle and Hunt both have disc wheels. I own LBs (non disc)and trust them.
Yeah, Light Bicycles and Farsports are both really nice Chinese made wheelsets. I’m 6’1" and 205ish, and I rode/raced a pair of 1250 gram Farsports gravel wheels last season on some very chunky courses and had zero issues.
Both brands will build with your choice of hubs, too, from affordable (Bitex, etc.) to DT Swiss, Industry Nine, and others.
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It do you know anything about the SUPER TEAM Wheels made in China?
Yes, I looked at farsports wheels, but they do not have any rear disc wheels, nor do they have a front tri-spoke wheel
Hmm, maybe Winspace/Lun wheels? I think they do aero and also have a really good reputation. Yoeleo seem to be pretty good, too.
Edit: one quick note - if you want to do a deep dive into high quality Chinese made parts/bikes, I’d recommend checking out the Chinertown or Weight Weenies forums. Lots of great info there.
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Farsports has a full disc:
FARSPORTS UFO Series
I greatly appreciate all of your information. I’m gonna look into all of this. Thanks so much and have a blessed Christmas and happy holidays.
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Someone offers you the equivalent of a $100,000 car for $10,000 with “light” accident damage. The previous owner used duct tape to close the doors shut. Otherwise it is in great condition. Oh, and be careful with the brakes.
Do you want track or road? If road, what cassette?