New 2010 Zipp "Super 9" disc wheel, and new carbon shifters

Triathlon Forum
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http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/GearTalk/zipp-release-2010-products-at-ausbike.html

Zipp release 2010 products at Ausbike

http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/images/stories/Reviews/ausbike/thumbnails/thumb_zippsuper9disc.jpgAug 17th, 09. RoadCycling.co.nz were with the first in the world to see the 2010 Super 9 Disc, the new Zipp 101 wheelset and the RZR TT shifter on show at Ausbike, Melbourne Australia today.

Ausbike Australia, the inaugural Australian Bike Trade Expo kicked off this morning with Brian Gavette, Director Sales and Marketing of Zipp announcing the new products in the 2010 Zipp range.

“Australia is the number one market for Zipp, and only fitting that they see the new product first,” said Gavette as he gave the Australasian media and industry players a quick history of Zipp before handing around the new product for a closeup inspection.

The key additions to the product range for 2010 were announced as the Super 9 disc wheel, the completely redesigned Zipp 101 wheelset and the RZR Timetrial Shifter.

Here’s a snapshot of the details that Gavette provided to the audience. Zipp are proposing to release these products to the market after their European showing at Eurobike in two weeks time.
http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/images/stories/Reviews/ausbike/zippsuper9disc.jpg 2010 Super 9 Disc wheel (c) RoadCycling.co.nz 2010 Super 9 Disc
Zipp have created the new Super 9 disc by combining the best of their two current discs.

The Super 9 has the equivalent aerodynamic performance of the current Sub 9 disc but with the lighter weight of the current 900 disc.

In fact Zipp claim the new disc wheel to be 40% stiffer than the 900 series.

The Super 9 is built on the proven Zipp 188 hub technology and will come as track or road compatible. It has a 17mm axle and a width of 27.5mm near the hub, and 23mm at the outer perimeter.

With a weight of less than 1,000 grams the Super 9 disc is likely to become the wheel of choice.
http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/images/stories/Reviews/ausbike/zipp101.jpg Zipp 101 with toroidal profile (c) RoadCycling.co.nz 2010 Zipp 101 Wheelset
Although the 101 moniker has been used by Zipp in the past, this new release brings to the Zipp 101 name the first aluminium wheel to have a true aerodynamic toroidal shape.

“This shape is designed to deliver the optimal aerodynamic performance and is more aerodynamic than the Zipp 202 and other higher profile rims,” says Gavette.

The Zipp 101 is also likely to be one of the lightest 30mm aluminium wheelsets on the market, weighing in at 1484 grams. Like the Super 9 disc, the Zipp 101 includes the proven 88/188 hubs.

A question from the audience asked if the 101 was UCI approved. Gavette reponded, “the wheel is not UCI approved yet, but it will just be a matter of time until the approval is gained.”
http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/images/stories/Reviews/ausbike/zipprzrshifters.jpg Zipp RZR Shifters (c) RoadCycling.co.nz 2010 RZR Shifters
Not stopping at new wheels for 2010, Zipp also announced the new RZR time-trial shifters.

With SRAM recently acquiring Zipp we are now starting to see the crossover of product technology. The same shifting approach developed for the SRAM TT shifters is now available in the Zipp RZR. This new look shifter now provides the ability for the shifter to remain in the same aerodynamic position regardless of what gear is selected with changes made by a single tap, much like the SRAM road shifters.

For those of you not familiar with the technology, consider this shifter like the formula 1 gear change systems. Click one way for up, the other way for down. Simple and elegant while maintain the same aerodynamic position throughout.

The RoadCycling.co.nz team are looking forward to Day 2 of the Ausbike show. Further updates on the bling on display and some interesting new products will be online over the next few days including the new Dogma 60.1, Shimano Di2, Bont shoes and some new products made right here in Melbourne. One of the highlights of the show today was seeing the 2010 Cervelo range. Unfortunately we are unable to show any pictures or publish any information about the new S3, S2, R3 or the R3SL until they are released at Eurobike.

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I love Zipp stuff, when I can get it used and heavily discounted, but it kills me how much they have to bow to marketing. Does it really matter if they managed to save a couple hundred grams over the old disc? Probably not at all, but they probably have a hard time selling a heavy wheel because people just can’t get their heads around the idea that weight doesn’t really matter that much. Plus, I have a hard time getting excited about a wheel that costs as much as complete Cervelo P1.

And carbon shift levers? Isn’t that a case of building something that no one really needs.

Chad

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read how the wheel tapers from hub to rim

look really closely

see any “bulge”?

hmmmm

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Dem shifters sure do look sweet and sound sweet too. Sign me up for a pr. Suggested retail is

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I love Zipp stuff, when I can get it used and heavily discounted, but it kills me how much they have to bow to marketing. Does it really matter if they managed to save a couple hundred grams over the old disc? Probably not at all, but they probably have a hard time selling a heavy wheel because people just can’t get their heads around the idea that weight doesn’t really matter that much. Plus, I have a hard time getting excited about a wheel that costs as much as complete Cervelo P1.

And carbon shift levers? Isn’t that a case of building something that no one really needs.

Chad
Couple hundred grams: yes.

What question have you seen on the front page five times before every single race - “What wheelset? Do I take the weigh penalty of a disc, or go with the significantly lighter 808?” A disc like the Super-9 (silly name, btw…) means that this question is easier.

Obviously, their marketing team is one of the best in the world. As you said, this disc will likely cost more than a mid-range complete bicycle (the sub-9 goes for $2K, and it looks like these are even more complex). So, they’re creating a market. you have to admit, they have done a damn good job. Talk to -any- person who spends more than 4 hours week training for tri, and they want or own a pair of Zipps.

The stiffness is a big deal, because the sub-9 is silly fast (16 seconds faster than a 900 disc), but it sacrifices a lot of stiffness (I can flex that disc, and I weigh 141 lbs).

Carbon shifters? I want them. They’re pretty. Look like they’d feel good in your hands.

read how the wheel tapers from hub to rim

look really closely

see any “bulge”?

hmmmm
Re-read:
"width of 27.5mm near the hub, and 23mm at the outer perimeter. "

Seems bulged to me.

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So are the new levers SRAM compatible or Shimano compatible?

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Australia as the number 1 market for Zipp? I’m outside my realm of expertise and going out on a limb, but I call bullshit.

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Why is that BS? Aussies can be the #1 market for Zipp water bottles… They never say what they are #1 for. Gotta love marketing and PR!

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Sign me up for one of each…

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Australia as the number 1 market for Zipp? I’m outside my realm of expertise and going out on a limb, but I call bullshit.
I think they mean per capita. Didn’t you realize that 96.4% of Australians rock at triathlon? (because they do)

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Woo-hoo. I have power! The 101 was my pick for the name of that wheelset!! I feel like a proud parent.

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What question have you seen on the front page five times before every single race - “What wheelset? Do I take the weigh penalty of a disc, or go with the significantly lighter 808?” A disc like the Super-9 (silly name, btw…) means that this question is easier.

Yeah, and what is the dumbest, most useless question that people ask? Weight vs. aero. My point was that the folks at Zipp know that weight is nearly meaningless, but understand marketing and have to market a lighter disc because that is what sells despite the completely stupid logic behind it. They understand that weight doesn’t matter but manage the perception part by making their equipment as light as possible. You can market light; you can’t market aero or people accuse you of distorting the tests to your own advantage. It’s a vicious circle.
If a company could make a disc that was faster than any other wheel available and it weighed 1500 grams, then that company would go out of business because only the sophisticated rider would buy it. The rest would look at the weight and buy an inferior product that weighed less.

Chad

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I did a bad job of making my point:

Zipp’s marketing department is the best marketing department in the world.

I believe that light is NICE. I come from a bike racing background, and it’s foolish to think that triathletes are the only people in the world racing bicycles (you may have noticed those people who don’t have aero bars). If weight isn’t important, why then does every rider on team CSC, with complete, unrestricted to whatever wheelset they choose, race a 202 or 303 on mountain stages rather than a 1080 set? I mean, 5 of the 6 hours are gonna be spent on the flat, so…?

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I love Zipp stuff, when I can get it used and heavily discounted, but it kills me how much they have to bow to marketing. Does it really matter if they managed to save a couple hundred grams over the old disc? Probably not at all, but they probably have a hard time selling a heavy wheel because people just can’t get their heads around the idea that weight doesn’t really matter that much. Plus, I have a hard time getting excited about a wheel that costs as much as complete Cervelo P1.

And carbon shift levers? Isn’t that a case of building something that no one really needs.

Chad
Im with you on this one. Why is their stuff so expensive? We know theyre not recouping advertising expenses because really, no adverts are needed as all you have to do is go to a race and youll see the stuff everywhere. I can see research but Im not thinking that they spent THAT much on it. So really now, why? I would love an 808 or 1080 front and disc rear on my P2C but those two will cost as much as the whole bike did. Its kind of insane really. Pay to play?

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<< Talk to -any- person who spends more than 4 hours week training for tri, and they want or own a pair of Zipps.

really? Do you have a source for that? In my own n=1 experiment, I have no desire or need for Zipp wheels. I’m quite happy with what I have and they’re not Zipps.

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Somebody with more details about the Zipp 101 wheelset? Rim weight, spoke count and price? I am looking for a fast powertap trainingswheel for 2010…

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Zipp 101 with toroidal profile (c) RoadCycling.co.nz 2010 Zipp 101 Wheelset
Although the 101 moniker has been used by Zipp in the past, this new release brings to the Zipp 101 name the first aluminium wheel to have a true aerodynamic toroidal shape.

“This shape is designed to deliver the optimal aerodynamic performance and is more aerodynamic than the Zipp 202 and other higher profile rims,” says Gavette.

Hmmm…I seem to recall Zipp saying this about the 202 for 2009:

“As the first climbing wheelset developed in the wind tunnel, it rolls more efficiently on the flats than most 46-50mm rims.”

Does that mean that this 30mm aluminum rim is faster than a 32mm carbon rim…even without the dimples?! :wink:

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…** I can see research but Im not thinking that they spent THAT much on it.** …

 And you'd be wrong.

If you want a little perspective on how much they actually spend on R&D, read these two articles, which give quite good insight into what goes on inside Zipp, including giving some rather staggering dollar figures that give some background on how much it costs to make some of the wheels:
http://www.velonews.com/…-a-zipp-through-time
http://www.velonews.com/…-of-wheel-maker-zipp

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read how the wheel tapers from hub to rim

look really closely

see any “bulge”?

hmmmm
let me get this right? After repeatedly saying how lenticular discs aren’t faster, they’re making…ahem…a lenticular disc. Interesting.

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Tapered != Lenticular.

I’m not sure we can make that judgment for sure without more pictures and some different profiles.

Chris