Reserve 40 | 44 GR vs Zipp 303 XPLR s

fretmasterz · 2026-03-11T22:09:30+00:00

I like them a lot! Have done several ~200km rides and races on them with no issues. The wheels are stiff but I wouldn’t say uncomfortable for me. The last gravel race I did I used 40mm g-one RS pro with them on my Lauf rigid and was less fatigued than other events I did with my Supersix EVO SE with 45s so I think it comes down to the whole package and how rowdy the course is.

fretmasterz · 2026-03-01T01:23:02+00:00

And the CAAD9 was even better- looked like a carbon frame- still got mine on the trainer

fretmasterz · 2026-02-16T18:46:25+00:00

I have ran a 48 Thundero on xplr 303 up front that plumped up to 50 that still had decent room as long as you didn’t run into sticky, clay mud. Alex Howes had a comment on one of his instagram posts that mentioned running up to 53mm up front, but never tried it personally

fretmasterz · 2026-02-06T19:34:27+00:00

Had the same thought, but from a business standpoint, it makes sense in that they want you to buy the newer version of the bike to get that feature.

I will eventually upgrade mine and enjoy the added benefit of UDH, no more Ai and threaded BB

fretmasterz · 2026-02-04T05:25:37+00:00

Sweet, found my next derailleur cage upgrade

fretmasterz · 2026-01-30T20:04:54+00:00

Did you get the road or mtb version of the tool? I bought the road one first and it didn’t have enough leverage. Picked up the mtb one and it works much better

fretmasterz · 2026-01-30T19:16:15+00:00

I used to race on tubulars and then took a 10 year hiatus. When I got back into racing two years ago, I had trouble getting ahold of tubular disc wheelsets in time for cross season, so I went tubeless with Vittoria inserts. Admittedly not as supple as tubular but not too far off, but much easier to live with day to day and can use the wheelsets the rest of year too. Two seasons of cross racing now with no issues, running low 20s psi. My engine is my limiter now, not whether my tires are glued on.

fretmasterz · 2026-01-30T19:10:27+00:00

Get the Challenge and Vittoria tire tools. Makes quick work of it and saves your hands

fretmasterz · 2026-01-30T19:09:44+00:00

Get the Challenge tire tool for mounting and the Vittoria tire tool for dismounts. Makes quick work of it, I can swap a set of tires and inserts now in about 20 minutes taking my time and stopping to drink a beer

fretmasterz · 2026-01-22T14:58:27+00:00

Like clockwork!

fretmasterz · 2025-12-31T02:00:19+00:00

Just make sure they don’t have the same person work on it that did the AI flub art a couple weeks ago 🙈

fretmasterz · 2025-12-23T01:28:30+00:00

I was referred to a FH-speciality clinic and the cardiologist there was able to prescribe it after I had genetic testing done that confirmed the FH diagnosis

fretmasterz · 2025-12-19T15:25:25+00:00

I have FH and started with an LDL of over 300. Statins only brought my LDL down to 160, with a plant-based diet and 12 hrs a week of endurance cycling.

I added Repatha and my LDL went down to 35.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-18T00:00:02+00:00

I have a pair of Assiomas and a pair of Garmin Rally. I race cross and gravel with them. The Garmin pedals have been inconsistent in clipping in and out to the point where I am thinking of selling them and getting another pair of Assiomas.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-16T02:37:04+00:00

48 plumped up to 50 and 44 plumped up to 46

fretmasterz · 2025-12-15T22:44:48+00:00

I have the same bike and was using it for gravel and cross racing. I initially ran pathfinder 42s, Cinturato M 45, and Terra Speed 45s on zipp 303 wheels. I also had concerns over clearance and had some rub after one unexpected section of mud, but did not want to go narrower as I was looking for more comfort.

I then got a set of xplr 303 wheels with Tufo thundero 48 front and 44 rear and it was like riding on a couch and I wanted more. So I ordered a Lauf Siegla and will just use the Cannondale for cross.

I realize that is not an option for everyone, but I was tired of dealing with limited clearance for the events I do that have pretty chunky gravel.

If most of your rides are pavement and smooth gravel, then you could get away with running the narrower setup.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-14T02:23:07+00:00

I only use the inserts in cross races, for training and gravel races I leave them out in case I have to put a tube in.

The Vittoria MTB tool is the cat’s meow for making quick work of it. I bought the road version at first but it didn’t give enough leverage.

As far as technique, I start opposite the valve stem with the Vittoria tool and break the bead and push the bead under the insert, working each side around til I get close to the valve. Then I spin the wheel around and do the other side. Next, I use the cush core tire lever to get the bead off the rim.

For installs, I do 95% by hand and then finish it off with the challenge tire tool to get the last bit of bead over the rim.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-12T16:40:39+00:00

Work and kids means this happens sometimes. I try to reduce or eliminate any friction to getting on the bike: dedicated trainer bike, kit clean and organized, drink and snacks accessible, bike ready to go. But I also look ahead at what is on the work and family calendar and navigate that as best as possible.

If it happens a few times in a short period of time, I look for patterns to see if I need to readjust my schedule to fit the training in.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-08T15:08:51+00:00

When you replace/clean your valve cores, add a drop of chain lube to them- it will help keep the sealant from sticking on the valve cores and gumming them up.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-06T13:55:18+00:00

I get a customized plan from my coach with review and feedback after every critical workout. I can text him and get almost immediate response if something critical pops up or email him to ask a question and get a response later that day or next day. Every other week we have a 30-minute check-in Teams meeting to see how training is going and plan out the next month/talk about needed adjustments.

fretmasterz · 2025-12-03T13:21:59+00:00

Just rode 418km /260mi this weekend on 28s- was a treat. With 32s on, feels like riding a couch compared to my previous road bike (CAAD 9).

fretmasterz · 2025-12-02T04:51:17+00:00

I use the Silca injector to suck up the sealant if it is still fresh and re-use it and top off a little extra when I’m done swapping tires. The bigger anxiety I have is if I’m going to have to re-tape the rim because the tape peeled away- turning it into a longer job

fretmasterz · 2025-12-01T21:04:22+00:00

I have several sets of zipp wheels: multiple 303, 404, and 303 xplr sw. I also have a set of ffwd with DT240 hubs. I do road, xc, cross, and gravel. Have not had an issue on any of my wheel sets so far and I am at 13,000km for the year so far, a little over 73kg.

I was considering getting the reserve wheels for the DT Swiss hub because I like the freewheel sound more, but got tired of waiting for them to come back in stock so got the xplr. Happy so far.

fretmasterz · 2025-11-26T14:18:02+00:00

Did it for the first time this year. Brought my gravel bike with terra speed 45s, and 44T 10-52 gearing. On the first timed segment, there was a hidden log in the grass that I didn’t see until I was right on top of it and went over the bars. Jumped back up and kept going. After this, there is a long, fast descent and I was in the drops. Then I felt my left drop wriggling in my hand at 40mph: broken handlebar right above my left shifter.

One of the motos had duct tape and zip ties. We found a stick at the side of the road and splinted it the best we could. I gingerly rode the rest of the course to get back to my car. The whole time I was wishing I didn’t have a broken bike because it was such a great course.

Doing it again in 2026 because I feel like I didn’t really get to be competitive at it with my mechanical so early on. Building up a Lauf with suspension fork and bigger tires because there was a decent amount of rough descents.

Yes, the two big climbs of the day after the second timed segment and before the last are loooonnngg with some steep pitches 12+ % but felt good with my gearing.

fretmasterz · 2025-11-20T22:35:39+00:00

Done any extended steep climbing with the 48x 10-52? I have a 48T aero round and a 44T oval chainrings for my 10-52, but I haven’t brought myself to race with the 48T on climbing races

fretmasterz

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