Here’s my Campagnolo Zonda Wheelset review. Campy Zondas are one of the most popular wheelset upgrades to replace the stock wheels on your bike. Read my review AND find the best prices!
Campagnolo Zonda wheelset review
I bought my Zondas last summer so I’ve been riding on them for a while now. A few friends in a local club had recommended them as relatively inexpensive, and seriously strong training wheels. At the price point (around £250) you’ll struggle to find anything better.
Ask around on any cycling forum or fb group for some suggestions about good wheels to upgrade from stock wheels, and the Campy Zonda wheels will always get a strong mention, and for good reason.
If you’re just looking for the best price Zonda clincher wheelset, try these:
The best upgrade you can make to your bike
If you’ve got money to spend on your bike and you’re wondering what will make the biggest difference, the general view is Wheels, Wheels, Wheels, probably followed by tyres, tyres, tyres! You can see a pattern emerging.
Yes, you probably want your bike to be as light as possible, but you’re better off losing weight from somewhere like the wheels, than something like a seatpost, or bars, or the frame. It’s all to do with physics and angular momentum and all that geeky stuff, but essentially, it takes less energy to spin a lighter wheel up to speed. So if you upgrade your wheels you will accelerate more quickly and hills will feel easier. At least that’s been my experience.
Zonda wheels are renowned for being very stiff, which means that less energy is wasted via flexing, lateral movements, and more of the energy that you put in will contribute to propelling you forwards. Which means they’re fast. On good road surfaces, they zip along effortlessly and I noticed a clear increase in my average speeds over my older, heavier stock wheels (the Bontrager ones that came with my Trek).
These wheels are aluminium and are said to last ages, being very strong and durable.
Can you use Campy Zonda’s with Shimano chainsets?
Absolutely, yes, because you can buy them with either a Campag or a Shimano freehub, so make sure you select the right one when you buy, so that your cassette will be compatible.
Campagnolo Zonda Wheelset Rims
The rims of Zonda’s wheels are specially designed with the following features to improve performance:
- Milled rims: reduce the peripheral (outside) weight of the rim so it’s more responsive to acceleration.
- The internal design makes rim tape unnecessary, with reduced weight.
- Balanced: the rims are counter-balanced to give maximum stability at high speeds.
- Differentiated rim height: 26mm at the front for optimal handling; 30mm at the rear for power transfer.
Zonda Wheelset Spokes
- Aerodynamic profile to reduce drag and go faster! Anti-rotation system: maintains spokes in the best aerodynamic position.
- Front: 18 aero spokes, radially laced in stainless steel.
- Rear wheel has 21 aero spokes , doubled on the drive side.
- Exclusive MEGA G3™ spoke pattern: to achieve balanced spoke tensions on either side. This improves the transmission of power to the wheel.
Quick release skewers included!
You’ll be relieved to know that these wheels will come with rather stylish and very functional quick release skewers, pictured below!
Zonda Clincher Wheelset specifications
- Front wheel weight: 670g
- Rear wheel weight: 880g Campagnolo, 924g Shimano
- Rim height: 26mm (front), 30mm (rear)
- Rim width: 20.5mm
- Spoke count: 16 (front), 21 (rear)
- Compatibility: 9/10/11 speed
What do people say about Campagnolo Zonda Wheels?
Here’s a sample of comments from real life reviews found on various retailers’ websites.
A Pro friend recommend this when I wanted to get a set of training wheels. Very smooth hub, stiff and good energy transfer. Weight is also considerably light. Great wheels if ur looking for an upgrade.
They’re beautiful, they ride buttery smooth and are never out of true. Great wheels. Possibly the best bang for the buck out there.
Surprisingly more comfortable than Racing 5.
Really noticed the difference on hill climbing and power transferring to my movement up the hills and general rides. The build and detail on the wheels I think are excellent, really do make my bike look more bespoke.
My average ride speed has increased noticeably after I replaced the stock wheels with these. Definitely recommend.
Zonda Wheels (Clinchers) – Get the Best Prices!
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Do you ride on Zondas?
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Hi, I’d be interested in reading a review of higher end wheelset, up to around the £1,000 price bracket
Thanks
Tim