Buying used wheelsets

Brad Marcus

I am considering buying a pre-owned wheel set (actually 2, one for me and one for my wife). I am partial to Zipps, since I've rented them for racing and seemed to like them (404 firecrests). Has anyone bought used wheel sets before, and if so what should I look for when doing so, aside from the obvious damage? I'm a little hesitant to spend big $$ on something pre-owned, but the cost savings over 2 new sets seem to make sense. Or, is buying used a bad idea all together, and am I better off buying new or renting for long course races only?

Any insight is appreciated.

harrast

I buy used parts, including wheels, frequently on ebay. Obviously you will want to be sure of what you are getting. When wheel shopping you need to be completely familiar with the appropriate year(s) and mode(s)l because there are so many design changes across years as well as versions within years. To me, this is the biggest challenge because sellers frequently make mistakes about the model year perhaps basing this on when they purchase the wheel rather than when it was manufactured. Bicycledoctorusa.com also sells zipp wheels and will give you a nice cash discount if you want to deal with an authorized retailer. I purchased my powermeter there and saved hundreds. FWIW.

John Withrow

I've had plenty of luck buying bikes and wheelsets on eBay. I agree with knowing exactly what you are getting. With Zipps, even if you buy them used, Zipp will honor their crash replacement policies if you have any issues down the road. I guess I've been fortunate, but I have always gotten exactly what I thought I was getting. You won't know if they were ever abused. But if they're true when you get them, and there's no visible cracks or delaminations when they arrce, that's probably as good as you're gonna know. Same is probably true for your own wheelset after a couple of yrs even if you bought them new...

There're a couple of other options as well. http://www.racedaywheels.com/shop.html sells their wheels from the previous race season for decent prices. Generally they're in good shape because they have "only" been raced on a half dozen times or so...

If you want a set with a Powertap SL+, I also have a set listed in the Classified Forum that I put up there the other day...

Brad Marcus

@Steven - thanks for the info and the website. I've already contacted them and the prices are the best I've seen.
@John - thanks for your info too! Didn't know that racedaywheels sold used too so that a consideration although after pricing out new from the website I got from Steven, the spread isn't that big b/t new and used! As for yours, they look like a great deal and I am in the market for a power meter too since I only have one on my trainer currently and would like to continue riding with power when I get back outside at some point. But, my only thoughts are whether I want a hub based meter, like yours, or a crank based. My thinking is that maybe crank based makes more sense especially if I have race wheels so that I can use it for both training and racing. Does that make sense?

William Jenks

I've had good luck on ebay (and even a purchase of ST) too, though I understand it's a bit risky in theory.

A real key is to show some patience. As long as you are willing to wait a few weeks (and are looking for something reasonably common), the thing you want will come on line for a decent price. Don't feel like you have to buy the first one you see.

But if you're going to be switching wheels a lot and can afford it, a crank based power solution makes sense.

John Withrow

@Brad- I would buy a Crank based Powermeter too. That's exactly why I'm selling my Zipps, because I bought an SRM. You can read my history with Power reading devices here: http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/9730/Default.aspx#129934

Brad Marcus

@John- excuse my ignorance but I assuming you are selling the Zipps because once the wheel is built around a certain hub, in this case powertap, it is tough or impossible to swap out?

John Withrow

No problem Brad. Technically I could have the rear rebuilt around a new hub, but the new Zipp hub would cost me about the same as I would likely get from selling the PT hub... So not really worth going through that headache for about the same net cost of just selling these and buying a new set. I bought a new set of FC808's before IMFL last yr. So that's basically what I replaced my 404's with. If I buy another set, it'll probably be a light climbing set like maybe an ENVE 3.4 or a Zipp FC303 so I'll have a deep aero set and a light less aero set. But I don't "really" need those, but I do like toys...

Dino Sarti

Light climbing set? Check out FC 202's or, if you want to ride like the pros, consider a tubular.

I ride a set of Enve 25's on my Colnago C59 and it makes for great fun. I am in a panic the entire ride that I may flat. It's thrilling! But, they are really light, nimble climbers.