Interesting new concept to the ‘round’ inner shape of the wheel we have all grown accustom to…
““All new for us - Using biomimicry as a design roadmap, Zipp began the rigorous aero development process of the 454 NSW 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.””
We have officially hit peak aero.
Can’t make bikes faster? Make them stop better, store more crap, easier to work on.
Can’t make wheels faster? Make them uglier and more expensive!!
Where’s the aero data?
There isn’t any. It’s not faster than a 404. Just supposed to shed crosswinds better.
If it is not faster, what’s the point? I know: to make people go out and buy a new set of wheels.
They talk about looking at the data and wanting to make sure it’s legit. Let’s see said data…
I think it looks like an optical illusion at rest. I can’t image what it will look like moving.
Same shit that is going on with the P5x, Dimond, Omni, Andean.
If we can’t make faster, the goal is to make it “better”. That could be:
Looks cool/uniqueHolds more crap without compromising aeroWorks better (disc brakes, textured tracks, better in crosswinds)Easier to live with (breaks down for travel, easier to wrench)
As fast as a 404, but better in wind than a 303 would be worth $$. To whom and how much? That is the question Zipp is asking with the $4k price tag.
https://youtu.be/n6UK5he0les?t=44s
You can take your hands off the bars in crosswinds as claimed by GCN.
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The GCN video states the wheels save 2 watts at low yaw and 5 watts at high yaw (15 degrees)… all at 30 mph. So yes apparently they are faster and I doubt GCN would state this without zipp giving them the numbers. So again… where’s the data?
2 WHOLE watts at 30mph??? So if my dentist (who is a triathlete) averages 18mph for an olympic, that’s like 3 seconds, ya?
I’m not sure if comparing aero data to the 404 is the right thing to compare it to. If this new technology allows you to run a deeper wheel than you would otherwise, shouldn’t you compare it to something like the 303?
I’m not sure if comparing aero data to the 404 is the right thing to compare it to. If this new technology allows you to run a deeper wheel than you would otherwise, shouldn’t you compare it to something like the 303?
That’s an interesting way of looking at it. If I could run something like an 808 in conditions that normally would warrant a 404 that would be a nice bump in performance.
That’s a really cool wheel design. The 808 will get it next.
Yup and the 808 could really be the relevant application. If you could magically make an 808 behave like a 303… that would really be something.
just so long as it comes with a disc brake…
I’m not sure if comparing aero data to the 404 is the right thing to compare it to. If this new technology allows you to run a deeper wheel than you would otherwise, shouldn’t you compare it to something like the 303?
You are totally right. I think my bitterness stems from the price tag.
I bought a 303 because I made a choice to run a wheel that would work for me in EVERY condition and not worry about it. If this result is a faster wheel that is easier to handle, then obviously it is an improvement. This wheel really does check all the boxes:
Just as fast as a 404Stops better than FirecrestEasier to handle in a crosswind
Of course it is a better wheel. The $4k price is really just crazy though. $1300 MORE than the comparable ENVE, which is my benchmark for shark-jumping price points.
2 WHOLE watts at 30mph??? So if my dentist (who is a triathlete) averages 18mph for an olympic, that’s like 3 seconds, ya?
2 watts = 3 sec = $4k
:-/
btw: do they have zipp hubs?
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I think I’m laughing just a little inside thinking about all the people that bought 404 NSW’s earlier in the year that now are going to regret that purchase with even “newer” wheels coming out.
Reminds me of my own situation where I bought 10-speed SRAM Red 3 months before they announced the 11 speed version that looked identical but had an extra gear.