Richard F

Done 3 rides on these so far (about 200km`s) so not a comprehensive review. Been using Darkhorse 36mm for about 4 years with no problems but wanted to change to 50`s or more to match my age! You can feel the Zipp`s weigh a bit more but nothing that makes any great difference, didn`t weigh them as I`m trying to stay away from the scales in more ways than one. Pro`s & Con`s in no particular order: They look meaty and give the bike real presence, the brakes, in the dry, make a nice noise when slowing down, a bit (small bit) like a jet engine throttling back as it comes to a stop. Not much like that in the wet though! Much braking with much screaming from firstly, the pads and then from the rider as you plummet down Kloof Nek hoping that your medical aid and then, your life insurance are up to date! They certainly focus the mind in the wet. The rear hub makes a lovely loud noise which both of my kids really appreciate as I walk the bike through the house at 7am, still, after years of crying, no sleep and all-nighter`s it`s nice to get a bit of pay-back isn`t it? Sometimes I spin the wheel at 3 in the morning just for the hell of it! 58`s in crosswinds? Got hit by them this morning going down Chapman`s, let me tell you, the only time I`ve been battered more than this was by my ex wife`s divorce lawyer! The Zipp`s are certainly quicker than the Darkhorse but, if you are looking for a 10% performance improvement then you, like my wife, are going to be disappointed! Good but not life changing. Saving the best to last: The ride comfort and quality are fantastic. Most of us have read countless reviews about wheel-sets that are made from unicorn horn and fibre`s from angel`s hair to make the best-est wheel ever! And most of us think Yeah, Yeah, Yeah but, got to say with these wheels at least, it wasn`t all ANC election manifesto. Really can`t praise the ride enough....Brilliant! Like I said at the top have only done 3 rides so hoping to get used to some of the niggles but even if I don`t I can`t see these coming off the bike anytime soon would highly recommend them.

Had a pair of 36mm on my bike for the last 3-4 years with no problems at all, I`m about 70kg`s and do all the climbs around the Argus route and haven`t felt anything untoward with flexing, was thinking about changing to 50`s and wouldn`t be against using them again.

Why only black? Every shop you go in to, black, black, black what`s wrong with a bit of colour, red, white, blue, make it a bit interesting who knows you may well shift more of them.

I`m looking at carbon because I`m hoping it will be easier on the body, also it has an 11 speed cassette which, with any luck, will make it a bit easier on the hills. I`m not as young as I used to be, or, for that matter, as good looking so I`m after all the help I can get.

Budget around R25k, Silverback has all Ultegra bits & bobs and weighs about 7.5 kg`s (according to what I have read) the Scott seems to weigh about a kg more, don`t know about the Cannondale. Am I right in thinking that Silverback is regarded as being a slightly inferior brand? had a couple of cycling types turn their noses up at the mention of Silverback.

Hi, looking at a Silverback Space 1 carbon, spec & weight look very good, price ok, also looked at Merida, Giant and Trek, the Silverback seems to nail them all. I am missing anything?