Today Zipp announced three new wheels: the 454 NSW Disc, 302 carbon clincher rim brake, and 302 carbon clincher disc brake.
Zipp 454 NSW Disc
Zipp engineers have optimized the biomimicry-derived 454 NSW for the ultimate in all conditions braking control—disc brakes. This marks the first NSW wheelset available for disc brakes, offering cyclists the greatest AeroBalance with the superior modulation and stopping power of disc brakes.
Emulating Nature
Zipp engineers studied the environment around them for instances of how nature solved similar problems of speed, control, and efficiency for the next generation of Zipp wheels. Think of a humpback whale’s fast but graceful movements thanks to the special features on the leading edge of its pectoral fins, or the unique micro texture of a shark’s skin, which gives it the ability to glide effortlessly through the water.
These structures inspired Zipp advanced development engineers to systematically apply biomimicry to solve the complex challenge of designing a wheel that reduces both aerodynamic drag and side force.
Using nature as a roadmap, Zipp began the rigorous aero development process of the 454 NSW Disc-brake utilizing the wind tunnel, CFD, and real-world testing. The result is an undulating 53/58mm-deep rim shape that takes nature’s most elegant design solutions and combines engineering precision to deliver a wheel that performs unlike any made before.
The most visually striking and functionally important biomimicry-derived innovation in the handcrafted 454 NSW Disc-brake is Sawtooth. This patented rim shape achieves something conventional aero wheels cannot; it simultaneously reduces both aerodynamic drag and side force for the ultimate in AeroBalance. Sawtooth accomplishes this with a series of patented fin-shaped Hyperfoil nodes along the inner diameter of the rim that work together with our HexFin ABLC dimples for improved air flow.Without the need for a brake track on the 454 NSW Disc-brake we were able to extend the HexFin ABLC dimples from the rim’s Hyperfoil nodes all the way to the outer edge of the rim.
This design reduces aerodynamic drag while simultaneously improving crosswind control through higher frequency wind vortex shedding. By generating a greater number of smaller, less powerful, yet more predictable vortices Zipp has engineered a wheel with superior stability. To visually compliment the rim’s aerodynamic structure without interfering with its function, our Impress printed graphics are applied from edge to edge.
The result is Zipp’s highest performing disc-brake wheelset ever realized with both aero-drag reduction and reduced side force at all wind yaw angles. This is important because higher wind yaw angles are where bike handling is most affected by the wind. This added stability translates into greater rider control, thereby saving energy that is typically expended trying to hold a line in gusting wind. The result is a faster, more con dent riding experience whether you are laying down power or descending sinuous mountain roads.
Beyond the rim
Our NSW-exclusive Cognition Disc-brake hubset rolls efficiently whether you are pedaling or coasting. Our Axial Clutch technology allows the freehub’s ratcheting mechanism to deliver half the mechanical drag of conventional three pawl hubs. Assembled with Swiss bearings made to our exacting specifications, the Cognition hubset is as robust as it is fast. And to make installation and service as quick as this wheelset is on the road, we’ve designed the hubs to use a center locking disc brake interface and J-bend spokes.
Hand crafted
Each Indianapolis-made 454 NSW Disc-brake rim requires 12 hours to create and represents a true blending of hand craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing techniques. Every rim is laid up, molded, drilled, printed, and inspected in Indianapolis and every wheel is assembled and tensioned entirely by hand. 454 NSW Disc-brake rims are laced to our European-made Cognition hubs using Belgian Sapim CX-Ray spokes and Secure Lock nipples for unmatched performance and reliability that is made to last.
Each Wheel Includes:
- Zipp Tangente titanium black skewer
- Zipp valve extender
- Zipp individual wheel bag
- Zipp Tangente tube 700c x 20-28mm
- Zipp rim tape 700c x 20mm
- Zipp thru-axle end caps to fit 12×100, 15×100, and 12×142 dropouts
454 NSW Carbon clincher
- 1615g wheelset total weight
- 765g front weight
- 850g rear weight
- 53/58mm wheel depth
- 27.72mm max width
- 26.4mm brake track width
- 17mm internal width
- 24 front spoke count
- 24 rear spoke count
- Sapim secure-lock nipples
- Sapim CX-Ray J-Bend spokes
- Cognition Disc-brake hubset
- Impress graphics
MSRP: $4000, €4000, £3390
Retail Availability: June 2017
Zipp 302 carbon clincher
Based on the winning wheels of the Spring Classics, comes the all-new 302 Carbon Clincher. With a 45mm deep Indianapolis-made carbon rim, optimized for low aerodynamic drag and precise handling in all riding conditions, the 302 Carbon Clincher delivers the ride that Zipp wheels are renowned for at a price that makes Zipp carbon quality and performance more attainable than ever.
The 302’s smooth carbon rim is hand assembled to Zipp’s new 76/176 hubs using Belgian CX-Sprint spokes and brass spoke nipples to build a wheel that is both fast and reliable—tough enough to survive the Spring Classics or the road less travelled, yet light enough to tackle the steepest grades.
302 Carbon Clincher Disc-Brake
To keep the wheels light and easy to service we’ve used a center locking brake rotor mounting interface on our 76D/176D hubs. The 76D/176D hubset also features replaceable axle end caps for thru-axle compatibility. Add in the 302’s XDR driver body compatibility, and you have a wheelset that can meet the needs of virtually everyone. And like all of our carbon clinchers, the 302 uses the same rim bed design that makes tire removal and installation as easy as possible.
302 Carbon Clincher Rim-Brake
Engineered with brake track technology handed down from Zipp’s Firecrest wheels, the 302 delivers outstanding braking performance. Since the birth of the Zipp 404 carbon clincher in 2010, Zipp has never had a brake heat related rim failure and the 302 carries on this standard of excellence.
The 302 is also designed to deliver superb reliability and simple serviceability. The 76/176 hubset’s axle end caps and rear freehub can be removed without tools for quick and easy cleaning and lubrication. Additionally, we’ve selected a J-bend spoke design for easy sourcing of replacement spokes. And like all of our carbon clinchers, the rim bed of the 302 is designed to make installing and removing tires fast and easy.
Zipp precision
302 rims, like all of our carbon clinchers, are proudly made in Indianapolis. Since Zipp’s inception in 1988 we’ve chosen to handcraft our carbon rims here for one reason: Precision. With complete control of the manufacturing process from start to finish, we build wheels that set the industry standard for precision. Rigorously inspected at our Indianapolis factory, we ensure that only the world’s best wheels receive the Zipp label—and we are proud to make this level of quality more attainable than ever with the 302.
Each Wheel Includes:
- Zipp valve extenders
- Zipp rim tape
- Zipp Tangente quick-release skewers
- Zipp thru-axle end caps to t 12×100, 15×100, and 12×142 dropouts (Disc-brake only)
- SRAM XDR driver body for 176, 176D hubs available separately
302 Carbon Clincher
- 1645g (rim-brake) wheelset total weight
- 1695g (disc-brake) wheelset total weight
- 740g (rim) / 785g (disc) front weight
- 905g (rim) /910g (disc) rear weight
- 45mm wheel depth
- 26.5mm max width
- 25.6mm brake track width
- 16.25mm internal width
- 20 (rim) / 24 (disc) front spoke count
- 24 (rim) / 24 (disc) rear spoke count
- Sapim secure-lock nipples
- Sapim CX-Sprint spokes
- 76/176 – 76D/176D hubsets
- Available in white decals only
MSRP: $1500, €1530, £1299
Retail Availability: Rim-Brake – May 2017 Disc-Brake – June 2017
