Zipp says its 404 S wheels were designed from the ground up to provide road cyclists with top-level performance at a more affordable price point. We’ve seen numerous versions of Zipp 404 wheels in the past, but the brand states that the new 404 S is actually the next generation of the 303 S road wheels. With 50mm-deep carbon rims, Zipp’s proven 76/176 hubs, a claimed weight of 1,585 grams, and a retail price of $1,300 / €1,100 / £985, the 404 S look great and have an attractive price tag to match.
Zipp 404 S Details
Zipp says the 404 S is its new all-around wheelset for road and all-road riding. According to the brand, it improves upon its predecessor, the 303 S, in numerous ways, including aerodynamics, hub performance, aesthetics, and price.
The 303 S rim was 45mm, and Zipp increased that by 5mm to 50mm for the 404 S. Zipp tells us the mid-depth rim profile “borrows from the World Tour-proven Firecrest rim design, providing premium level aerodynamic performance while staying shallow enough to maintain stability in crosswinds.” According to the brand, the updated profile and slight increase in depth save about 2 watts versus the 303 S, and compares favorably to wheels that cost double.
Like the 303 S, the 404 S has a 23mm internal rim width and a hookless bead wall, which they refer to as a Tubeless Straight Side (TSS) rim. The brand states it is recommended for use with 28-39mm tires and should only be used with hookless-compatible / TSS tires, whether you’re running them tubeless or with a tube. Zipp has a complete Tire Compatibility Chart as well as a Tire Pressure Guide for those interested in diving into the specifics.
The 404 S rims have front- and rear-specific spoke counts, with a 20-hole front and 24-hole rear. They are laced to the brand’s own 76/176 disc brake hubs with Sapim CX-Sprint spokes. Zipp’s hubs spin on carbon steel bearings, have 36 points of engagement for 10° pickup, and a center-lock brake rotor interface — lock rings are included.
The 404 S wheels are available with SRAM XDR or SRAM/Shimano Road compatible freehub bodies. Buyers can choose between flashy, pro-team-esque white decals or subtle dark grey logos. Zipp claims the complete wheelset weight is 1,585g, including valve stems and rim tape. Like all of the brand’s wheels, the 404 S is also covered by Zipp’s lifetime warranty and crash replacement policy.
Zipp 404 S: Specs
- Rim Depth: 50mm
- Internal Rim Width: 23mm
- Recommended Tire Widths: 28-39mm
- Max. Tire Pressure: 73 psi / 5.0 bar
- Hubs: Zipp 76/176, 36 POE
- Freehub Options: SRAM XDR, SRAM/Shimano Road
- Spokes: Sapin CX-Sprint
- Max. System Weight: 253 lbs. / 115 kg
- Weight: 1,585g
- Decals: White or Dark Grey
Zipp 404 S: Pricing and Availability
Zipp’s new 404 S wheels are priced competitively, with front wheels retailing for $630 / €530 / £475 and rear wheels for $670 / €570 / £510. That puts complete wheelset prices at $1,300 / €1,100 / £985.
