ZIPP Wheels – High-Tech Carbon From Indianapolis

ZIPP is part of the SRAM family since 2007 and is known worldwide for its aerodynamic high-end wheels for road, gravel, cross, mountain and triathlon. ZIPP was founded in 1988 by motorsport engineer Leigh Sargent with the mission to make cycling athletes faster. The company focused on producing the most powerful and robust wheelsets and components. Over the last three decades, ZIPP has succeeded in doing just that by focusing its core competencies on development engineering, carbon composites, computer simulations and wind tunnel development. 
Thanks to these competencies, ZIPP has been able to present a series of innovations in the bicycle industry: from the first carbon disc wheel, to the first carbon crank, to the first wheel that creates negative resistance in the wind tunnel. These innovations helped athletes win the world's toughest races on the world's most demanding roads, from the paved roads of Belgium to the Queen K in Kona.

ZIPP's ABLC technology is based on the idea of using "dimples", a surface similar to a golf ball, to effectively minimize air turbulence on the rim. The special design helps to deflect the airflow sideways to the rim surface. The outcome, perfect aerodynamics even in strong winds. With the ABLC SawTooth Dimple design, ZIPP has further optimized the aerodynamic properties of the ABLC surface principle for higher speeds and achieved greater stability in crosswinds.

ZIPP's Firecrest technology has revolutionized the fundamentals of wheel design, setting new standards in aerodynamics, ride quality and stiffness, even in strong crosswinds. The aim is not only to optimize the front half of the rim, but also the half facing away from the wind. Previously, the rim tapered from the rim base to the spokes in a pronounced curvature. Firecrest rims have an almost constant width up to the tire bed and thus the air flow around the rear half of the rim can be effectively controlled: the handling becomes much more stable even in cross winds.

The NSW wheels of the 353, 454 and 858 (Triathlon) series are the state-of-the-art models for disc brakes from ZIPP. NSW stands for "Nest Speed Weaponry" and is a reference to the legendary development laboratory in Indianapolis, also known as "The Nest". Featuring SawTooth, a revolutionary rim design with varying rim height, the sensitivity to crosswinds has been drastically reduced. Based on wind tunnel tests, state-of-the-art flow simulations and extensive road trials, ZIPP has developed the most high-performance wheel to date, which reduces both drag and lateral force at all wind angles.

The 303 series wheels were created from the ambition to create the best wheels for the hard gravel and cobblestone passages of the spring classics. This has led to innovations that make 303 carbon wheels the benchmark for stability, comfort, lightweight and aerodynamics. With the 303 S and 303 Firecrest wheelsets, the specialists at ZIPP have put their full energy into width and brake control: With 23 mm for the Firecrest S and 25 mm rim width for the Firecrest model version, these 303 series models are ideal for wide tires such as the ZIPP Tangente Course. A high-performance tire best for tubeless setups with low air pressure. No matter if tarmac, gravel, twisty descents or a strong crosswind, the ZIPP 303 wheels keep you on track and provide comfort with low rolling resistance.