Zipp 303FC tubular vs 202FC clincher

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CBRE
Posts: 219
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 1:37 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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by CBRE

I have both of these, I feel the 202 with Cont gp4000s/latex tubes is stiffer and quite fast but the 303FC tubular with Vittoria CX's are a bit lighter an ride nicer. Around here most races are roughly 50m with 4000ft of climbing. What it comes down to is which is actually more aero and less rolling resistance?
Curt Brown

2016 Cannondale EVO Etap 13.8#'s
2012 Cannondale Supersix EVO etap 13.7#'s
2017 Cannondale SUPER X Force 16.0#'s
2016 Cannondale FatCad2 28.1#'s
2011 Cannondale Carbon Flash 1 17.9#'s

by Weenie


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goodboyr
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Location: Canada

by goodboyr

303 tubbie is more aero.....202FC clincher has less rolling resistance.

em3
Posts: 883
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:57 pm
Location: NYC

by em3

...comparing rims only (not taking tire profile into consideration) the 303FC is definitely more aero then the 202 (per Zipp tests), but rolling resistance is tied more closely to tire choice (tubulars) and tire/tube choice (clinchers) as well as the width of the rim bed (tubulars) and inner bead to bead width (clincher). If you dump the Continental clinchers and exchange with Veloflex of Vittoria high TPI tire with your latex tubes, you will be hard pressed to tell a difference between tubular and clincher road feel (expect on corning performance, where ur tubulars will be notably better) and you might yield identical rolling resistance values.

In the end u need to go with what YOU feel is faster not with what the the tests indicate might be faster....afterall, u r splitting hairs on potential marginal gains.
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CBRE
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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by CBRE

Was thinking the 202FC w/Gp4000s is equal in aero vs the 303FC w/tubi, can't find any good data on aero testing with Zipps and tubular tires. The 303's are my go to race set for crits and or short hilly races.
Curt Brown

2016 Cannondale EVO Etap 13.8#'s
2012 Cannondale Supersix EVO etap 13.7#'s
2017 Cannondale SUPER X Force 16.0#'s
2016 Cannondale FatCad2 28.1#'s
2011 Cannondale Carbon Flash 1 17.9#'s

em3
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Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:57 pm
Location: NYC

by em3

I'm curious, what is the rationale you are using? Why/How would potential aero effect differ for tubular vs. clincher, on either wheel (assuming they are the same width)?
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CBRE
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by CBRE

em3 wrote:I'm curious, what is the rationale you are using? Why/How would potential aero effect differ for tubular vs. clincher, on either wheel (assuming they are the same width)?


Couple of examples of aero of tire testing, all clincher, I have no available data for tubulars:

http://flocycling.blogspot.com/2013/04/ ... sults.html

http://speedtheory.co.nz/marginal-gains ... -part-two/
Curt Brown

2016 Cannondale EVO Etap 13.8#'s
2012 Cannondale Supersix EVO etap 13.7#'s
2017 Cannondale SUPER X Force 16.0#'s
2016 Cannondale FatCad2 28.1#'s
2011 Cannondale Carbon Flash 1 17.9#'s

em3
Posts: 883
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:57 pm
Location: NYC

by em3

...intersting data, but I didn't catch the tubular v. clincher differentiation. More importantly, there is no such thing as a standard width 23c tire (or any width for that matter). A Conti 23 will measure closer to a 25 and have a much taller profile then any of the tires tested by FLO. The Vitt will be closer true to size 23 with a much lower profile, and the MIch will be closer to 25 with a mid profile. My point is that the test didn't bother to measure tire width/profile differences. In fact, what the test might be showing is that a high profile tire whose actual measured width is 25 (i.e. 23c Conti) might be the most aero choice for the specific Flo wheels specs....whether the same can be duplicated across different manufacturer's wheel design is another issue.
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CBRE
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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by CBRE

It is all confusing and I haven't been able to do a accurate comparison due to wind variations and fatigue level.
Curt Brown

2016 Cannondale EVO Etap 13.8#'s
2012 Cannondale Supersix EVO etap 13.7#'s
2017 Cannondale SUPER X Force 16.0#'s
2016 Cannondale FatCad2 28.1#'s
2011 Cannondale Carbon Flash 1 17.9#'s

myungjinkim
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:35 pm

by myungjinkim

Price, weight, and performance all 303 Tubular recommendation.

teokim
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 11:45 pm

by teokim

Moer over, 303 figure is better

by Weenie


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jimborello
Posts: 283
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 5:07 am

by jimborello

I own both, Im trying to sell the 202 clincher because I cant justify it over the 303 tubular. The 303 looks better, it is more aero, weighs less, and has that tubular feel the 202 doesnt. And one more factor; it tolerates better braking heat than the 202 so it is safer.

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