Zipp

303 S Carbon Disc Brake Wheel - Bike Build

Throughout Zipp's 30-year history, its pursuit has been speed, with a passionately focused mindset "…to make you faster." With aerodynamics reaching a natural plateau of performance progress, Zipp ushers in a new era with the 303 S carbon wheel that looks beyond air resistance to boost efficiency across the entire wheel-system, giving you "the next chapter of speed." Designed to match with your modern drop-bar bike's increasingly ample frame clearance and the real-world challenges, like gravel washboards and infrequently paved back-roads, the 303 S works to preserve your energy so you can make speed.

An all-new rim design is the key to Zipp's efficiency goals and replaces the 302 in Zipp's lineup. The now hookless tire bead (fitting a minimum of 25mm tires) allows the tire to sit deeper and fatter in the wheel bed, leaving the tire more flush with the rim — oddly enough, improving aerodynamics. You'll feel a more secure tire underneath you that utilizes a short-wide contact patch, improving traction and reducing tire deflection when aggressively diving in and out of turns. Essentially, the tire maintains its shape, corners better, and produces less rolling resistance with the hookless design compared to the previous generation.

Weight savings is another area of focus for the new 303 S. Zipp has dropped 150g, compared to the 302 wheelset. And with high-end modern bikes increasingly tipping over 18lb, this weight reduction is highly advantageous in competitive events.

Keeping you fast on the bike is also about keeping you rolling forward. And if you've experienced even five-miles of bone-wrecking washboard, you know that maintaining forward speed is challenging and uncomfortable on rough terrain. The 303 S allows you to run wide gravel tires (think 50mm) with low psi, thanks to a wide 23 mm inner rim-width, helping the tire absorb the road vibrations and reduce fatigue levels.