Zipp 303 XPLR SW Review: Taking rim widths to an entire new place

Not so very way back, I used to be using cyclocross and off-road typically on 17mm large wheels and 30mm tyres – how instances have modified!

Zipp has launched a brand new addition to the 303 wheel vary at this time within the type of the 303 XPLR SW wheelset. There can also be a extra reasonably priced 303 XPLR S wheelset choice however this evaluate is for the ‘SW’. Components bearing the XPLR nametag have a gravel and off-road focus and that is certainly a gravel-specific wheelset. 

SRAM has additionally launched its new Red XPLR AXS gravel groupset at this time. We have a deep dive information hub which additionally seems on the new Goodyear tyres and Zipp handlebars launched at this time. As nicely as an in-depth evaluate of the brand new groupset.

Zipp claims the brand new wheelset is its quickest gravel wheel ever. The wheels are deep, tremendous large, and designed to be as quick as attainable on gravel. SRAM has actually aimed toward accommodating decrease, quicker tyre pressures that enhance velocity and scale back rider fatigue. The hookless rims are additionally designed to assist decrease the chance of pinch punctures at low stress. The wheels are priced at $2,100 / €1,800 / £1.600. Let’s get into how they journey although, and unpack the mammoth width.

Design and aesthetics 

As normal, I’ll begin with the aesthetics. Straight off the bat, the wheels are going to look fairly badass in most frames for my part. Rim depth is 55mm, and paired with the 32mm inner rim width when fitted with tyres and to a motorcycle they appear fairly cool. We mentioned differing rim depths on the wheel’s launch final month, however I’m but to fulfill somebody who would not go for a deep choice if it is there lately for many using, particularly for us amateurs who aren’t tackling monster Grand Tour levels. 

The SW mannequin rims get Zipp’s dimpled tech on every rim and the gray Zipp logos most of us will probably be used to by now are current. Spokes and hubshells are black and all the things seems fairly tidy. 

So to the considering behind this 55mm deep, 32mm large (inner) wheelset: Gravel racing has actually influenced the design of the XPLR 303 wheels. SRAM cites elevated gravel racing speeds, aerodynamic concerns, assist for low-pressure cornering, and pinch flat safety as key elements relating to the wheel’s design. 
In the connected press materials Zipp says vibrational losses can generate as much as 100 watts of vibration losses, the bigger quantity tyres at decrease pressures ought to assist clean issues out and save energy. 

The 55mm deep rims are there for velocity; take a look at Dylan Johnson’s Unbound race setup which seems to share the identical considering. The 32mm inner rim width is there to supply a greater match for gravel tyres and to higher assist decrease tyre pressures which will be quicker and fewer fatiguing for the rider. For reference, the nominal ‘regular’ inner width for gravel wheels is round 25mm, so these are a full 7mm wider. 

The wheels have been designed along side a collection of Goodyear tyres. Mine got here with the Goodyear XPLR Inter 45mm tyres, which measure true to measurement on the edges and combine seamlessly fit-wise. Like different hookless Zipp rims, there will probably be an authorised tyre listing for these wheels. 

To spotlight how large these rims are, within the context of the market the Mavic Deemax, some of the adorned wheelsets in downhill mountain biking presently has an inside rim width of 30mm. The Enve G27 gravel wheel, a comparatively progressive set, has an inner width of 27mm. Even the Enve M90 mountain bike rims, used within the DH World Cups and Red Bull Rampage are 30mm inner. Despite the same sizes, SRAM particularly says these wheels are usually not for MTB; with a sub-1500-gram weight I assume they do not have the fabric to take care of MTB hits. 

A 2mm higher inner rim width is not earth-shattering, however it definitely highlights the course of journey on this a part of the market, and a minimum of reinforces one thing we have recognized already: issues are certainly getting wider and quicker off-road, and on for that matter too. Zipp and SRAM are seemingly forward of the curve right here, and this might be a product that shepherds in a number of latest wider gravel wheels.

The wheels are hookless and will be run with tubes, so long as you may have Zipp-approved tyres. The tops of the sidewalls have been widened barely to assist minimise pinch flatting from the decrease pressures. There is a most of 130kg complete weight (rider and equipment) for the wheels. Zipp additionally provides the wheels with its particular tubeless tape, and I think you will not get away with undersized tubeless tape right here. 

Performance 

I did not actually know what to anticipate from a wheelset like this, comfortably the widest rims and lowest tyre pressures I believe I’ve ever ridden, mountain bike included.

Everything felt actually pure and straightforward to get on with from the beginning. There definitely have not been any uncommon journey traits or a interval of getting used to the texture of the wheels, given their dimensions.

With a sub-30 PSI tyre stress, due to the big quantity and large width, the tyres really feel much like a extra conventional setup. They really feel very quick on the highway and light-weight gravel. I just lately needed to do a 12km on-road, onerous effort to make the beginning of an area gravel journey in time after work, and the wheels are stiff and quick on the highway, carrying velocity nicely. If something there’s just a bit additional noise and sidewall give whereas using out of the saddle on the tarmac from the lower-pressure, big-volume rubber. 

Off-road, they provide tonnes of grip, and the true-to-size 45mm tyre and low pressures present nice traction. They had been partly to thank for me clearing a steep, technical, techy climb on the launch and I may really feel the assistance they offered in a couple of sections. I’m assured it would not have occurred on my previous 17mm / 30mm combo as talked about in the beginning, that is for positive. They additionally really feel very good and supportive leaning and turning into corners and I may really feel the large rim and 45mm tyres providing a bonus right here, too. 

On some mild gravel tracks, I may hunker down into an aero place and get the facility down and that is what the wheels have primarily been designed for. They definitely really feel fast and using at tyre pressures within the mid-twenties definitely did not really feel like how I believed it will; it simply felt fast. 

On the subject of technical off-road using, there’s a line to be drawn relating to tyre pressures. These wheels are designed for velocity and tip-of-the-spear gravel competitors, not essentially aggressive off-road using, bordering on MTB and let’s not neglect Zipp particularly says these are usually not for MTB use. On some rocky, quick descents, I felt a few good rim strikes and needed to handle the bike by way of tough, rocky sections. I knew from the sensation I had I could not simply smash by way of a bit and never assume, in any other case I believe a flat would not have been far-off. Perhaps that is the distinction in setups between what I’d been using and a 30mm mtb rim with a 1500-gram downhill tyre and inserts. 

In the UK, the place we aren’t blessed with fairly the identical open, clean gravel roads because the USA and another nations, some consideration and tyre stress monitoring will probably be wanted if you happen to just like the look of those wheels and need to use all of them yr spherical. I’d say if you wish to go quick on smoother terrain, which is what these wheels are for, then go low. If your using is a little more various and extra rocky, or if you happen to wish to get a bit rowdier, I’d suggest going up in stress a bit and getting a really feel for what you want, the max is 50 PSI, so there’s loads of room right here. 

I’ve used a tyre stress gauge extra this yr, as I’ve examined and experimented with wider tyres and rims – just like the 32mm Vittoria Corsa Pro’s I used for my longest journey ever.

I was blissful working to multiples of ten, however pressures for this sort of setup are a bit extra particular, and I’d suggest investing in a stress gauge to dial in your tyre journey. I additionally learnt my trusty flooring pump is 10 psi out, however that is one other story.

Zipp has the AXS stress calculator to make use of to calculate pressures and get a minimum of a place to begin. However, there are others to make use of on-line as nicely. It’s had an replace just lately however I’ve discovered it to learn barely low (for me) for highway use and I’ve gone a couple of PSI up typically after choosing up a couple of punctures.

My really helpful figures for the 303 XPLR SWs are 22.9 and 24.4 PSI for my 65kg weight, which takes some getting used to seeing! I upped this to round 28/29 PSI at house, for all-around using. 

The wheels must also be pretty straightforward to stay with. External nipples and J-bend spokes assist in that division, and the freehub physique and finish cap pull off very simply, so servicing and cleansing the 6-pawl freehub needs to be merely achieved. 

On the topic of dwelling with them, I discovered the equipped tyres straightforward to take away, match, and seat. I seated them first time with a flooring pump and did not even have to take away the valve core to assist. The tyres have been designed across the rims so I’d anticipate a pleasant expertise, and customers will want to ensure they match authorised tyres to the edges, a listing of which will be discovered on Zipp’s web site. 

Value 

At $2,100 / €1,800 / £1.600 for the pair, I believe Zipp has been cheap with its pricing right here within the context of the market. I believe the model may have leveraged the ‘wow’ issue of the wheelset and hiked the value because of the large hype. 

For comparability, they’re cheaper by a couple of hundred {dollars} than the pretty new Fulcrum Sharq wheels and the Enve G27 gravel wheels I discussed earlier than, to quote a few examples. 

Don’t get me incorrect, £2,100 is dear whichever method you slice it. But once more, a part of me was anticipating worse 

Verdict 

I point out that the times of chain keep slap and a mish-mash of highway parts are lengthy gone on gravel bikes in my Red XPLR evaluate. The identical factor is occurring relating to gravel-specific wheels. 

We have gravel rims lately and have achieved so for some time, however Zipp seems to be actually inspecting what’s required in gravel race wheelsets proper now. The days of gravel tyres mushrooming out over narrower highway rims are most likely coming to an finish. 

I actually like the texture and efficiency I’ve skilled from the 303 XPLR wheels, they really feel quick, and deal with nicely on quick open stretches’ and in tight technical terrain, which I’ve ridden loads of while testing. Which I did not actually anticipate at face worth. 

I’m nonetheless recalibrating my years of ‘harsh is quick’ considering, like a whole lot of different riders I anticipate. This wheelset and tech spotlight the advantages and simply how nicely decrease pressures and bigger quantity tyres can carry out.  

I do not assume simply because the wheels and tyres can now be run at very low pressures means will probably be a very good factor all the time although. Riders might have to run barely firmer pressures in rockier and rougher terrain to keep away from rim strikes, a minimum of in my testing. But on quick, finer gravel, at sub 30 PSI, these wheels are clearly actually fast, and I’m eager to see if they are going to be adopted immediately in large gravel occasions.