Today Zipp is launching a slew of new products. There are new tires, updated hubs for both aftermarket builds and Zipp wheels, and a pair of AXS connected wheels that tell you your tire pressure with a light and an app. Because there are so many updates, the news is separated out into this article plus a separate deeper dive covering ride experience with the Zipp 303 SW AXS connected wheels.
For now, let’s dive into everything launching today.
Goodbye Firecrest, hello Zipp 303 SW AXS connected wheels
There are two sets of wheels launching with integrated Zipp AXS Wheel Sensors but the 303 SW is almost certainly going to be the one most commonly seen.
Right now the Zipp 303 Firecrest is a hugely popular wheelset that Zipp refers to in relation to the spring classics. It’s 40mm deep with a 25mm internal width and a 30mm external width. As with other Zipp wheels, it’s a hookless bead and the weight is quoted as 1408 grams for the wheelset.
Despite the cobbled classics reference from Zipp, the wheel is often specced as a second tier, less expensive, gravel wheelset. Before last year when the Zipp 303 XPLR SW landed the Firecrest was really the only suitable gravel wheel Zipp offered.
Now the Firecrest is disappearing. The replacement is called the Zipp 303 SW and it’s no longer a gravel wheel. The new wheel is considered an all-road option or, potentially, a second tier road wheel. The 303 XPLR S and 303 XPLR SW handle the gravel side.
The new wheel is still 40mm deep and 25mm wide internally. It also looks roughly the same although it does bulge a bit wider at 33mm externally. Look a little closer and there’s also a significant new step on the edge to shield the tire from pinch flats and a scale will show an increase in weight to 1440 grams. The hub is an update of the current ZR1 hub which remains the same other than a shift to “stainless steel bearings for improved durability and smoother performance.”
The real feature here is the integrated AXS sensor that reports tire pressure. While before you could purchase a Tyre Wiz that sat atop the valve stem and reported pressure, the exact same experience now no longer looks like an unwanted appendage on the wheel.
Instead there’s a molded space where the sensor sits. Externally what you see is a light that flashes green when you are ready to ride, red with a single flash when it’s under pressure, and a red double flash when it’s over. The sensor weighs 12 grams and it’s balanced on the other side of the rim with a 20 gram total weight penalty.
As already mentioned this is a hookless wheel designed for tubeless only. Should you get a flat you can still put in a tube but the new sensor requires a tube with a threaded valve stem. To address that Zipp is now also offering a pair of TPU tubes with threaded 60mm valve stems. One option fits a 28-35mm tire while the other is for 35-50. Both tubes are a rather shocking $40.00 / €45.00 / £40.00 and while you can find your own tube with threaded valve stems I’m told non-threaded valve stems will not work.
Pricing for the Zipp 303 SW wheels is set at $2200 / €1900 / £1700 and the purchase does include a tube with each wheel (two for a wheelset).
Zipp 353 NSW AXS connected wheels
While the 303 SW is an option for all-road riding, the Zipp 353 NSW goes all in on lightweight. Like the 303 SW there’s still the same integrated TyreWize sensor but this time there’s virtually no weight penalty. The previous generation has a listed weight of 1308 grams and the update hits 1310 on the scales.
Despite almost no outward changes, the new Zipp 353 NSW did go through a number of updates. This is still an undulating 35/40mm depth and a 25mm internal width TSS wheelset optimized for 30mm tires. What’s changed is that according to Zipp, “a revised carbon layup and design infused the already strong 353 NSW with a more than 16 percent higher rim impact strength.”
There’s also a new hub but not the same new hub as the 303 SW. This time it’s the “ZR1 SL hubset with ceramic bearings and 66 points of smooth rolling engagement. The hubset also is 30g lighter than the predecessor hub in NSW wheels.”
In terms of positioning, Zipp clearly states that the “353 NSW is not approved for gravel riding.” Meaning this is the top shelf climbing wheelset for road while the XPLR wheels address gravel and the SW wheelset handles road with a dash of light off-road. Or, perhaps more accurately, the SW wheelset is cheaper and heavier with more impact resistance but quite firmly still a road wheel. Check out the review for more of that thought.
Pricing for the Zipp 353 NSW wheels is set at $4300 / €3900 / £3500
Goodyear Vector R XPLR & Goodyear Eagle F1 R Z29 Aero tires, plus more
Right now there’s a bit of an argument simmering in the world of aerodynamics and the Goodyear Eagle F1 Z29 Aero tire is one answer.
The argument that’s happening is between narrow and wide tires and which one is faster. The real answer is actually both and now Zipp is offering that choice.
For those that ride closer to 20 mph or less it’s faster to run a wider internal wheel. Wider internal and hookless means a wider tire to match. For that need Zipp offers the Goodyear Vector Z30 NSW, Goodyear Vector Z30 SW, and Goodyear Vector Z35 SW.
Once your speed increases then narrower is better. Wheels like the Zipp 404 and 454 wheel have a 23mm internal to better slice through the air and now Zipp is offering the Goodyear Eagle F1 R Z29 Aero to match.
The new tire uses the same “Dynamic:UHP Compound” offering “Ultra-low rolling resistance, superior grip, and extended lifespan” as well as the same R:Shield anti-puncture belt, and traction pattern as the previous tires. What’s different, in addition to the size, is an updated 180tpi casing and “Aero Lip” that “optimizes drag reduction” and “enhances durability, protecting against pinch flats while maintaining a supple sidewall for superior comfort.” The new tire is also 270grams or 10 grams lighter than the previously lightest Z30 NSW.
Pricing for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Z29 Aero tire is set at $90.00 / €100.00 / £90.00
From there, Zipp is switching gears in a big way. Instead of focusing on TT racing on narrow wheels, the Goodyear Vector R XPLR helps turn one bike into many.
The Vector R XPLR is specifically designed to work with the ultra-wide 303 XPLR SW and S and offer a fast slick for road riding. This tire pairs with that 32mm internal rim and measures to 40mm while keeping the same tread pattern as the Z29 and Z30 variants. It adds “M:Wall sidewall protection (to) help prevent cuts and reduces the chance of getting pinch flats” and includes the previously mentioned R:Shield anti-puncture breaker belt and Dynamic:UHP Compound. Weight is 440 grams and the Vector R XPLR uses a 120tpi casing.
Pricing for the Goodyear Vector R XPLR is set at $90.00 / €100.00 / £90.00
Then there’s the plus more. In this case Zipp isn’t giving much detail because there’s no changes other than size. Where there was previously a Goodyear XPLR Inter and a Goodyear XPLR Slick both designed for the 303 XLPR and representing 45mm or 40mm respectively, now there’s two more choices.
If you prefer tread then the Goodyear XPLR Inter is now offered in an additional 50mm size and priced at $80.00 / €90.00 / £80.00.
If you prefer a slick center, but not fully slick as with the Vector R XPLR, then the Goodyear XPLR Slick is now offered in an additional 45mm size and priced at $80.00 / €90.00 / £80.00.
ZR1 and ZR1 SL Hubs
At the heart of all the new, and updated wheels, is either a new hub or an updated hub.
In the Zipp 303 SW you’ll find the ZR1 with a move to stainless steel bearings. It’s a J-spoke hub with 20, 24, or 28 spoke options and it’s E-Bike Compatible up to 60Nm. Internally there are six pawls offset to work in two groups of three pawls so that there are always three pawls engaging. “The driver body’s design keeps the pawls in place for disassembly to make service convenient.” This hub is only available for OE sales and it’s built into the 303 SW..
Then in the 353 NSW, 454 NSW, and 858 NSW the cognition hub disappears in favor of the ZR1 SL hub. The SL version “uses ZR1 end caps, axles, and driver bodies to simplify your spare parts” and is otherwise almost exactly the same as well. The difference is that the SL version, for NSW wheels and available for sale in the aftermarket, is lighter at 304 grams with the use of ceramic bearings.
Both hubsets are available for XDR, HG11, Microspline, and N3W. Pricing for ZR1 SL is set at $250.00 / €280.00 / £250.00 for the front and $450.00 / €500.00 / £450.00 for the rear.
Zipp 454 NSW and 585 NSW get updates
If it wasn’t clear yet, the previous high-end and lightweight choice for top shelf Zipp wheels was the Cognition hub and that’s dead. At the same time, Zipp builds wheels to order and there’s essentially no stock sitting on shelves. Those two facts together mean that either Zipp needed to keep producing an outdated hub or the 454 NSW and the 858 NSW needed an update.
Obviously Zipp is choosing the latter option. The Zipp 454 NSW and 858 NSW are getting an update that moves the two rims to the new ZR1 SL hubs. Given that the hub is 30-grams lighter than the Cognition hub, you’ll find a 30-gram reduction in the overall weight of the wheels but there’s otherwise nothing new.
Those two wheels are 23mm internal though. Pair them with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Z29 Aero tire.
Availability
Everything launching today is immediately available worldwide through retailers or the SRAM website.