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The Zipp 30 wheels have been absolutely amazing. In a not-exactly controlled test on a relatively flat ride I commonly do, I estimate I gained about 0.5mph average speed over my rides compared to the stock wheel set based on my Strava results. A large contribution is the reduced drag from the aero profile rim and the bladed spokes. However, the wheel bearings in these things are also incredible compared to the ones I had before; the wheels have noticeably less spinning resistance. Even more awesome, I have only gotten the rear wheel trued once and it was only about 1mm out of being perfectly straight (total side-to-side shift) to begin with which is to say it was barely out.
I have to say, I LOVE these Michelin Pro4 Endurance tires! The tires that came on the bike were some Vittorias. I was getting flats fairly often and I’d estimate they would have lasted about two thousand miles if I hadn’t gotten a slice in one of the tires destroying it. I replaced that tire with a Continental (I think it was a Grand Sport model…. Memory is a bit hazy) which lasted me all of 800 miles on the rear. I also got a couple flats on the Continental. I have about 1600 miles on the Michelin Pro4s with no flats.
I rotated the tires front to rear at about 1400 miles. The rear tire supports more weight along with having to put the power down, so it wears down faster as shown by the middle of the tire getting flat. As is common with motorcycle sport bike tires, these bicycle tires are a dual compound with the middle being harder for less rolling resistance and better wear while the sides are softer for improved cornering traction. I expect these tires to last around 3000 miles.
One of my tires does have this nice slice in it. No flat though! Tough tires I tell ya.
The softer compound on the sides comes in handy as I was going through this corner at about 38 mph. Driving my buddy’s Porsche 911 at about 85% through the same corner, I was doing about 42mph. With that said, I have no intention of pushing the bicycle that hard again through this corner. The prospect of the front tire sliding out into a low-side, crashing, breaking a collar bone, road rash, sliding across the opposite lane either into the guard rail or a car is not really how I want to end my day.The other major upgrade this past year to the bicycle has been to the drivetrain. I’m like a small displacement, high revving Honda engine. I don’t have much torque and depend on rpms to make power. Where I ride involves a lot of climbing which requires me to shift. A LOT. On one ride, I started to lose the ability to shift the rear derailleur. I would push and pull on the shift lever but it would not grab the shortest gears; I was able to nurse it home using only four of the ten rear gears. Searching online, this is a common issue and everywhere I read said a thorough cleaning along with ample lubrication would bring the shifter back to life. Well, I tried cleaning and lubing. Twice. No cigar. So… what’s one to do? Upgrade of course!
I upgraded from the Shimano 105 shifters that came on the bike to Shimano Ultegra. I replaced both the left and right brake/shfiter assemblies. An immediate difference I noticed was improved braking power; the Ultregras seem to have a greater motion ratio between the levers and the brakes, so you get more braking power for less lever movement. Oh yeah, I went with black wrap tape on the bars because the white tape that came on the bike were getting gnarly. Besides, I like the way the black tape looks better.
Check out the back side of the brakes and you can see some material machined out to reduce weight.
