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Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels now faster, wider and lighter than ever

new zipp 303 wheels are the lightest wheels they make for road and gravel bikes
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If there’s such a thing as free speed, the all-new 2021 Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels seem hell bent on finding it. Borrowing their new wider, hookless concept from the recently introduced 303 S wheelset, the new Firecrest version goes even wider.

It makes a lot more changes, too, from a shallower rim depth to a much lighter carbon construction and all-new hubs. The result is an ultralight wheelset that gives up nothing, works on road and gravel, and still manages to drop its price…

What’s new about the 303 Firecrest wheels?

new zipp ZR1 DB disc brake hubs get faster engagement

It’s really best to talk about the rims in comparison to the 303 S and prior models, so we did just that down below. But at the center of the new wheels are all-new ZR1 DB hubs.

new zipp ZR1 DB disc brake hubs get faster engagement

The hubs are engineered in their German office to have a better, more precise seal design to improve durability. Inside are cartridge bearings with stainless steel balls. The biggest change is quicker engagement thanks to a new 6-pawl drive system. They’re offset to engage in sets of three into a 33-tooth ring, creating 66 effective points of engagement. That translates to a tight 5.5º rotation…good for tricky gravel climbs.

new zipp ZR1 DB disc brake hubs get faster engagement

They’re Centerlock only and come ready 12mm thru axles. There’s a rim brake version as well, scroll to the bottom of this post for more on that.

How do 303 Firecrest and 303 S wheels compare?

zipp 303 firecrest hookless tubeless rims for road bikes and gravel bikes work for cyclocross too

Besides going wider and hookless, both are tubeless ready and require Tubeless or Tubeless-Ready tires. These tires have a stronger, stiffer bead that won’t stretch, and are required for these straight-side rim walls. You can run tubes in either, just not tube-type tires. Both are disc brake only, using the Centerlock rotor interface. Other than that, there’s not a lot shared by the two different versions of Zipp’s mid-depth all ’rounder.

zipp 303 firecrest hookless tubeless rims for road bikes and gravel bikes work for cyclocross too

The Firecrest rims are wider and shallower, and a lot lighter. They also get the dimples to improve aerodynamics, which is a more complicated molding process. The rim itself is a completely different shape, and it’s molded in their Indianapolis HQ/factory (versus SRAM’s Taiwan factory for the 303 S).

Key spec differences between the base level 303 S and this 303 Firecrest wheelset include:

303 S 303 Firecrest
Weight (F)* 717g 632g
Weight (R)* 828g 760g
Weight (Pair) 1,540g (claimed) 1,355g (claimed)
Rim Weight 410g (claimed) 355g (claimed)
Width (int) 23mm 25mm
Width (ext) 27mm xxxx
Depth 45mm 40mm
Price $1,300 (€1,100/£985) $1,900 (€1,800/£1,600)
Hubs 76/176 ZR1 DB
Spokes 24 CX-Sprint 24 CX-Sprint
Nipples Brass Alloy
Pawls / Teeth 3 / 36 6 offset pairs / 33
Engagement 10º 5.5º
Rider Weight 250lb (115kg) 250lb (115kg)

*These are actual weights on our scale for individual wheel weights, and the 303 S were weighed without the valve stems installed, Firecrest with. Wheelset weights are Zipp’s claims. See below for more details on the weights.

2021 Zipp 303 Firecrest actual weights & widths

2021 zipp 303 firecrest wheels actual weights

Our test set came pre-taped with valve stems installed. Ready to roll, with XDR freehub body, their actual weights are 632g (front) and 760g (rear), for a total of 1,392g. We’ll assume the tape and valve stems add the 37g over the 1,355g claimed weight.

The only other thing to add is the rotor lock ring, which comes included with the wheels. You can also get them with a standard HG-R 10/11 speed and Campagnolo freehub bodies.

2021 zipp 303 firecrest wheels actual widths and rim height measurements 2021 zipp 303 firecrest wheels actual widths and rim height measurements

Inside width measures 25mm with our calipers, a hair over 30mm externally, and depth is just over 40mm. Margin for error could simply be the angle at which we’re holding the caliper.

Like the 303 S, these are only available in 700c sizes. There are no 650B options.

Where do the weight savings come from?

zipp 303 firecrest hookless tubeless rims for road bikes and gravel bikes work for cyclocross too

Are you sure you’re ready for the answer?

From the hookless, straight side design. OK, so that’s not really all of it, but it’s a big part of it. Here’s why: To mold hooks into a rim’s interior sidewall, they have to use a silicone mold because it can “squish” such that they’re able to remove it after molding and curing.

zipp 303 firecrest hookless tubeless rim cutaway image to show inside rim profile

With Hookless, they can use a hard mold, which means they have far more control over the molding process. There’s less variation in the outcome, they can use higher pressures, less resin and carbon material, and basically end up with a better product. For these, it allowed them to produce a lighter rim that’s just as durable as before.

It’s also less expensive to produce, and those savings are actually passed on to you, dear customer. These are ~$300 less per set than the prior 303 Firecrest wheels, yet they’re better and 300g lighter.

Are they faster? More aerodynamic? Where’s the data?

zipp 303 firecrest hookless tubeless rims for road bikes and gravel bikes work for cyclocross too

Yes, and once again, you can thank the hookless bead. This helps a Tubeless/Tubeless-Ready tire spread out and, as a system, create a more streamlined transition from rim to tire.

Rather than head to the wind tunnel, they took their aero “sticks” out to different roads to measure not just drag, but also efficiency from rolling resistance and vibration reduction. We told the story of how wider tires and tubeless made them faster with the launch of the 303 S, check out that post for the geeky details as they apply here, too.

zipp 303 firecrest hookless tubeless carbon gravel road bike wheels get new graphics

Here’s the big takeaway: Whatever tire pressure you were running on the old 303 wheels with their 21mm internal width, drop it by at least 10psi to get all the benefits of these new, wider rims. Experiment downward from there. And that’s if you were running tubeless tires. If you’re switching from tubes to these wheels and going tubeless, drop it by 20psi. Max tire pressure for any size tire is 72.5psi (5bar)

Why no wind tunnel data? Because real world speed comes from many more factors than just wind and drag. And if we’re being honest, most modern wheels have pretty good aerodynamics and the differences are subtle at best (our words, not Zipp’s).

So, gains need to come elsewhere. The new 2021 Zipp 303 Firecrest proved 5 watts faster than the 303 S, and 15w faster than the prior 303 Firecrest.

zipp 303 firecrest gravel bike wheels are some of the lightest you can buy

The 303 has always been Zipp’s wheel for the cobbled classics. It’s a mix of shallow enough to be light and forgiving, but deep enough to provide tangible aero benefits. None of that has changed, and these are designed to fit anything from 28mm to 55mm wide tires.

Which means you can use them for road, cyclocross and gravel. The latter is how we’re testing them, stay tuned for a full review.

Yes, minimum recommended (read: safe) tire size is 700×28. And in case they (and we) haven’t made it clear, do not install regular tube-type tires on these rims. They are designed specifically and only for use with tires marked as Tubeless or Tubeless-Ready.

What about rim brake wheels?

new disc brake hookless tubeless zipp 303 firecrest wheels will also come with a rim brake version using the older 303 rims
These are the new disc brake-only 303 Firecrest, not the rim brake versions…we just wanted a photo here.

They’ll have an updated 303 Firecrest rim-brake wheelset, too. It has the same outside rim shape as before, but the inside of the rim has been updated to be fully tubeless ready. And it gets the new hubs, just in rim brake versions with QR end caps. They’re about $2,200 USD, the same price as before, which is actually more expensive than the new disc brake versions shown above (thanks, hookless!). They’ll be available in tubular options, too.

In fact, all of Zipp’s wheels are now tubeless ready (albeit with a more standard hooked interface and narrower profiles on the others…ranging from 18-21mm internal widths, limited by what will fit inside rim brakes) and get these new graphics. But we see where this is headed…

Zipp.com

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27 Comments
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Larry Falk
Larry Falk
4 years ago

What am I supposed to be seeing with the cross-section comparison picture?

DBH
DBH
4 years ago
Reply to  Larry Falk

I don’t know but that void in the right side doesn’t scream “quality”.

Near Far
Near Far
4 years ago
Reply to  Larry Falk

I am seeing a scary looking cross section with a big void on the right side (on the transition), a scary looking transition on the bead seat left side, and a very very scary thin looking nipple bed thickness? What’s the max tension on these rims? 50kgf?

ya
ya
4 years ago
Reply to  Larry Falk

both cross section pics are hookless.

but also hookless is far from new, weird that zipp only does this now. my 2014 carbon wheels are hookless and back then it wasnt really new either haha, just not super common

PoorInRichfield
4 years ago
Reply to  Larry Falk

I think the consistency of the carbon layup? Or that picture is for your stereoscopic viewer 😉

FritzP
FritzP
4 years ago

YES! Stereoscopic: crossed my eyes so the two images overlap and presto a 3D visualization.

SuperMario
SuperMario
4 years ago

Great information and comparison on the latest wheels 303s/303 Firecrest!! Looking forward to a ride review.
Cheers M+

Ed Llorca
Ed Llorca
4 years ago

not a fan of hookless for high pressure road application. This is not the right direction to go IMHO.

Mic
Mic
4 years ago
Reply to  Ed Llorca

Agreed 100%

the lazy rouleur
the lazy rouleur
4 years ago

hey man relax a little, maybe the market has moved on from appealing to “high pressure” roadies for a reason. here have a ‘member berry it will make you feel better.

Mic
Mic
4 years ago

I absolutely refuse to go tubeless I’ve even gone back to tubes for mtb I can’t stand it it’s not worth the mess and trouble at all, absolutely not for road so lame

Greg
Greg
4 years ago
Reply to  Mic

That makes one of us.

K-Pop is dangerous to your health
K-Pop is dangerous to your health
4 years ago
Reply to  Mic

Been tubeless and hookless on the road for years now with no problems and even less flats than ever. Tubes for mtb? ok dude, lmao! No clue why people lose their marbles like this anytime tubeless/hookless is mentioned. Thankfully you have options, right?

Roddy
Roddy
4 years ago
Reply to  Mic

I agree that tubeless is such a PITA. People just need to learn to avoid flats. I never punctured in 3 years (30k+ kms) with GP4000s + latex tubes and roads in there is seriously bad.

WorkonSunday
WorkonSunday
4 years ago

303s are made in Taiwan. how about these?

mateo
mateo
4 years ago
Reply to  WorkonSunday

Only the 303S is made in TW. All the other Zipp rims are US made.

Durianrider
Durianrider
4 years ago

Made in China and still that price?
Zipp hubs are the worst Ive ever used.
Id never buy em again. Warranty service was shocking.
China brands like Farsports, Yoeleo and Yishun give a better product, better warranty and half the price almost.

readfirstpostsecond
readfirstpostsecond
4 years ago
Reply to  Durianrider

Made in USA, read the article

Robin
Robin
4 years ago
Reply to  Durianrider

Reading is challenge for some. it gets in the way of ranting.

Matt
Matt
4 years ago
Reply to  Durianrider

(deleted)

Woody
Woody
4 years ago

When you’re marketing cut-through material displays a void it really doesn’t bode well…

EP
EP
4 years ago

The experts of BR have spoken!

Fitness
Fitness
4 years ago

Made in USA Indianapolis! Awesome looking wheels

Cheese
Cheese
4 years ago
Reply to  Fitness

“it’s molded in their Indianapolis HQ/factory (versus SRAM’s Taiwan factory for the 303 S).”
Thanks for including that detail in this article, Tyler.

Dinger
Dinger
4 years ago

They forbid high pressures with these wheels. “Max tire pressure for any size tire is 72.5psi (5bar)”
With miniumum tire width of 28c on such a wide rim, chances are, most will run lower pressures than this.

Jörg Hippo Thomsen
4 years ago

Well, Zipp is using an even cheaper hub “designed in Germany” (but made in China), combining it with a much cheaper to make rim (hookless) and claims, you will never ever need pressures above 5 bar anymore… just because the hookless design is unable to cope with pressures above 5 bar.

This is purely marketing driven design.

Engineering wise, it does not make a lot of sense.

Making the rim bed wider and by this widening the tire DOES NOT improve aeodynamics at all. In a straight line, the increase in surface area will slow you down.

Running tires at a lower pressure does make sense… but lower means less than 8 bar. Most people should be running 6.5 bar in the rear and 5.5 to 6.0 bar in the front… and maybe a fraction less with 28mm tires.

It would make MUCH more sense to develop a more supple tire, which will reduce rolling resistance through vertical compliance IMHO.

Pete Cottrell
Pete Cottrell
3 years ago

Is there an actual quality road wheel out there? One I don’t have to worry about bearings or low tyre pressures? Does it exist? I mean you don’t see bearings fail on cars or motor bikes I don’t know.

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