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.

The issue here is, if you have to cover your nose as well then what will the Cape Town Super-Pro`s do? The Super-Pro has to, and I mean, HAS TO!! blow snot-rockets when they are 2 metres past you with-out ever looking as that is what being Pro-Cool is all about. How are these disgusting pricks going to able to ride?

Howzit!!! Stupid question: Are you meant to wear a mask when riding now? Please be gentle with me!

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.

Oh God, just turned on the first day of the Tour and the bloody Aussies are back!! after the Classic`s and the Giro I really thought we had heard the last of them but no, not to be. 3 weeks of hearing from Matty, Robbie, Stuie, Davey and anybody elsie that you can add a Y or an IE to the end of their name. 3 weeks of hearing how Richie would be 5 minutes up if only he could stay on his bike for the first week, how any Bonza Frog Aussie within 2 hours of the leader is still in with a chance because he won a few races as a school boy and because he`s an Aussie, ditto if he`s a Kiwi but only if he`s an hour down because they don`t make `em like they do in Aus across the Tasmanian, how Calabie is a GC contender if only he could get over a mountain. And worst of all, how far can Matty get up little Petie Sagan`s arse this year before the Australian government does the right thing and makes him an Honorary Aussie because he was seen talking to an Aussie sometime ago and he`s nearly good enough to be one!! the best days are going to be the rest days. A stock market tip to finish with: buy shares in companies that make question marks as this lot use one per comment and anywhere between 2 and 6 with any question, companies won`t be able to keep up with production.

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?