What more do you need to know than the fact that the new carbon Zipp 202 NSW wheelset weighs just 1090g, is 23mm hookless tubeless, and is semi-aero at 35mm deep? Oh yeah, the fact that they are also shockingly expensive!
Road climbers have always sought out ultralight wheels for ascending the steepest mountains. And Zipp’s latest 202 NSW wheels deliver that super-low weight, with the modern performance to get you back down the other side of the mountain quickly, too. Plus, your wallet will be a lot lighter, as well!
Zipp 202 NSW ultralight carbon road climber’s wheels
Zipp built their lightest-ever climbing road bike wheels without really resorting to extremes. No ultra-low-profile or narrow rims, no carbon spokes, no wildly tiny hubs, just lightweight refinement all around. The result is a <1100g wheelset that will shed weight off any bike, and make any road bike fly up the steepest climbs.
They describe the new lightweight carbon 202 NSW as “designed to be an ultralight road wheel that shines on the climbs and descents, but is aero enough for standard road applications“. This is the lightest complete wheelset that Zipp has ever made, and it comes with a suitably high pricetag to match the highest mountain passes.
Tech details
- sub-1100-gram ultralight carbon road bike wheelset
- 23mm internal, hookless tubeless TSS (Tubeless Straight Side) bead
- 35mm deep x 28mm wide external aero-shaped carbon rim
- rated for 28-29mm (max 72psi) or 30-32mm (max 65psi) TSS tires only
- 700c-only
- ZR1 SL alloy hubs with J-bend spokes
- ultralight round, butted Alpina Hyperlite stainless spokes
- 20 spokes front & rear, laced 2x with external alloy nipples
- 66 POE, fast 5.45° engagement
- GRW hybrid ceramic bearings
- centerlock, disc brake-only
- Shimano HG, SRAM XDR & Campagnolo N3W compatible
- dark grey ImPress (water transfer?) graphics
- claimed 1090g wheelset weight, including tubeless tape & valves
- 115kg / 253lb max system weight: rider+bike+gear
- not approved for any riding off-pavement
- lifetime warranty: “If your 202 NSW wheel fails while riding, we will repair or replace it free of charge. Zipp’s Lifetime Warranty covers all structural damage that occurs to the rim while riding, including damage from a crash or rim impact.“
Zipp 202 NSW – Pricing, options & availability
The all-new ultralight Zipp 202 NSW wheels are available now individually, for $1900 / 1700€ for the front and $2300 / 2100€ for the rear. Yes, this pair of wheels costs $4200 / 3800€!
Yikes!
They come either with a Shimano or a SRAM freehub; you’ll have to pay extra to get a Campy freehub. The wheels are pre-taped for tubeless and include alloy tubeless valves, plus a lifetime warranty so you can get your money’s worth out of them.
Pick up a set now from your local Zipp dealer, if you can afford a set.
