Zipp

303 Cyclocross - Tubular

The Zipp 303 Cyclocross Carbon Tubular Front Wheel has all of the versatility of the standard 303 tubular wheelset, but with some special considerations for riders like Todd Wells, Tim Johnson, and Ryan Trebon, who heap serious abuse onto their race-day wheels. The wheels are based on Zipp's 285v4 tubular rim, which was the first carbon rim to win Paris-Roubaix, a feat that cements the assertion of supreme toughness.

The rim is about 35 grams heavier than the standard 303 tubular rim. This doesn't sacrifice any aerodynamic efficiency, but still manages to double the impact resistance of standard 303's. This strength is due to a number of factors. Firstly, Zipp's Carbon Bridge construction was already the industry standard for impact resistance, and it's in use here. Along with that, the addition of a bit of extra material in the layup helps bolster the strength. Lastly, this 'cross-specific front wheel uses more spokes -- up from 18 to 24. This makes the front wheel stronger and stiffer. An added benefit is greater steering precision over ruts and rooted, off-camber corners.

This 303 Cyclocross Tubular Front Wheel is best described as doing everything well. Race it all winter during the cyclocross season, then pull off the knobby tubulars and glue on the road racing tubulars for summer road racing season. Don't forget, even though it's built for the rigors of cyclocross, the 303 still weighs less than most "climbing" wheels. Its 45mm deep, aerodynamic profile makes it perfect for road racing, even in blustery conditions.

While the 303 Cyclocross hoops lack the latest 303 Firecrest shaping, bear in mind they still have a fully toroidal shape that's 5.1mm wider than their predecessors. The rims bulge out to 27.5mm with a tire bed that's 25.4mm wide. This results in a tire bed that is flatter and has more contact between the tire and rim. The tire/rim interface affords a more effective gluing surface and is smoother for reducing pinch flats. The greater width smoothes the airflow between the tire and the rim, making the wheels faster. The full toroidal shape also allows more vertical flex. This is part of why 303 wheels are so comfortable to ride.

Like its road racing cousins, this 303 Cyclocross Tubular uses 24 Sapim CX-Ray bladed stainless steel spokes radially laced spokes. Zipp's trusty 88 front hub employ 17mm axles and have an adjustable preload feature for the super smooth Swiss-made steel bearings.

Please Note: Zipp's Tangente Platinum Pro and cork brake pads are designed specifically for use with their carbon tubulars. Use of brake pads other than these is highly recommended against and will void the wheel warranty.