ENVE 45 or Zipp 303S

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kensonw
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:35 am

by kensonw

Background: I'm looking for carbon wheels upgrade and aim at rim height of 40-50mm because of the mixed(both flat and slope) road I'm used to ride. My budget is around $1200-1300 (I consider this low-mid budget)

So I checked with my local bike shop and also the internet and found two options the fit my eyes.

1. Zipp 303S ($1000 USD)

2. ENVE foundation 45($1405 USD)

I'm not sure about whether the Enve's brand reputation and hubs n stuff is worth $400 more than the zipp, being in similar spec on weight and rim height.

*Please don't recommend China wheels because as a man knowing the Chinese culture, I simply would not trust their product and customer services etc.
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Broady
Posts: 676
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:02 pm

by Broady

Cheaper Zipps have seemingly had crap hubs going by the people I ride with, though I can't speak to this model.

Enve warranty would be a factor in my decision, not sure how Zipps warranty is.

by Weenie


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kensonw
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:35 am

by kensonw

yes I'm aware of the Enve crash replacement and warranty is better than whaat Zipp can provide. Zipp claim to have lifetime warranty for production defects but I think they don't have the crash replacement as Enve does. This can add to the extra cost.

I'm more curious about the difference in hubs because I don't see a lot of discussion comparing these factory hubs.
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Mocs123
Posts: 816
Joined: Tue May 11, 2021 9:19 pm

by Mocs123

Aren't the Zipp 303S's made in China? If so that might be a deal breaker for you based on your OP.
2015 Wilier Zero.7 Rim - 6.37kg
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kensonw
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:35 am

by kensonw

Zipp is made in Taiwan which is okay for me. On the other hand Enve is built in USA
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kervelo
Posts: 862
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:58 am
Location: Finland

by kervelo

kensonw wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 5:38 pm
...Zipp claim to have lifetime warranty for production defects but I think they don't have the crash replacement as Enve does...
Zipp Life Happens program:
https://www.sram.com/en/zipp/campaigns/life-happens

I think most of the comments about Zipp hub issues are related to some old models, not the recent wheels.

kensonw
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:35 am

by kensonw

kervelo wrote:
Fri Oct 15, 2021 6:32 am
kensonw wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 5:38 pm
...Zipp claim to have lifetime warranty for production defects but I think they don't have the crash replacement as Enve does...
Zipp Life Happens program:
https://www.sram.com/en/zipp/campaigns/life-happens

I think most of the comments about Zipp hub issues are related to some old models, not the recent wheels.
thats great insight! thanks man
2021 Chapter2 Tere disc

by Weenie


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TheMalahat
Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2020 4:56 am

by TheMalahat

I don't have any great insight as I've never used any Zipp wheels. But I'm a very satisfied user of the 45. Both contributed to faster and more comfortable riding. Couldn't ask for much more than that.

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