303 Firecrest Carbon Disc Brake Wheel - Tubeless
Style & Size:
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Why We Like The 303 Firecrest Carbon Disc Brake Wheel - Tubeless
Throughout Zipp's 30-year history, its pursuit has been speed, and 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 Firecrest 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 Firecrest works to preserve energy so you can make speed.
An all-new rim design is the key to Zipp's efficiency goals. The now hookless tire bead (fitting a minimum of 28mm 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 Firecrest, and to say that there have been improvements would be a little insulting. Zipp uses a more refined carbon layup and a thinner tire bed that, in addition to the hookless design, drops a staggering 300g off the weight of the previous 303 Firecrest. And with high-end modern bikes increasingly tipping over 18lb, this weight reduction has us giddy with excitement.
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 Firecrest allows you to run wide gravel tires (think 50mm) with low psi, thanks to a gaping 25mm inner rim-width, helping the tire absorb the road vibrations and reducing your fatigue levels. And the newly designed ZR1 Hub engages quickly for tight riding and racing situations, as well as provides an easily removable freehub for maintenance.
Details
- Endurance and performance lines converge in the all-new design
- Decreased weight improves responsiveness and steep-slope speed
- Increased rim widths hold wider tires to conquer rough terrain
- German-designed hub with sixty-six points of engagement
- No air compressors needed with the new tubeless rim bed
- Tubeless and tubeless compatible tires only
- Center Lock lock-rings included
- Zipp continues to expand the capabilities of the modern wheelset
- Item #ZIPZ04H
- Rim Material
- carbon (UD fiber finish)
- Wheel Size
- 700c
- Rim Type
- Hookless
- Rim Depth
- 40mm
- Rim Width
- [internal] 25mm, [external] 30mm
- Brake Compatibility
- centerlock disc
- Hubs
- ZR1 DB
- Front Axle
- TA 12x100 (end caps included)
- Rear Axle
- TA 12x142 (end caps included)
- Spokes
- CX-Ray
- Spoke Nipple
- aluminum
- Spoke Count
- 24
- Max Rider Weight
- [rider + bike] 253lb (115kg)
- Claimed Weight
- [front] 1lb 5.6oz (613g), [rear] 1lb 10.1oz (739g)
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
- Includes
- tape installed, valve stem, center lock lock-rings
- Activity
- road cycling, gravel, cyclocross
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 7 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJanuary 22, 2024
USE FOR GRAVEL = AWESOME
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
Coming from Roval Terra wheels to these. Running a set of these on my gravel bike. Love the engagement and durability... to say the least. Pretty light and easy to mount. Running anything from 38 - 44 on these.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
October 23, 2023
Great wheels
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
Conti GP 5000S TR (28) are so tight, that I found myself straining and swearing to get the tires on the rims. Tires inflated with just a track pump. Tire fitting aside, the wheels do not disappoint. The Zipps spin up fast and are fairly stiff. Thanks to the wide internal width, I’m running only 52 and 56 psi which removes a lot of road chatter. I switched over from Bontrager Aeolus 37 Pros and for about the same depth (37 v 40), the Zipp wheels feel a faster.
March 7, 2023
NOT a wheel SET - only a rear wheel!
- Familiarity:
- I returned this product before using it
It is not clear when buying, but this is only a rear wheel. When you search for Zipp 303 Firecrest on this website, this is the only listing. You have the option to select hubs, and in the product description it gives the total weight of the wheel SET. However, when the box arrived, there was only a rear wheel. This is extremely confusing, especially because the reviews all talk about the "wheels", not "wheel". Furthermore, there is no product page for the front wheel, which, if it existed, would have at least made me suspect that I wasn't going to receive 2 wheels. Alas, this wheel will be returned.
Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com
November 20, 2022
Almost Perfect…however
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Size Bought:
- 700x30c
- Weight:
- 185
I love my new wheels. The Firecreset is prefect for a comfortable long ride. My only observation is that the wheel bearings seem to be very slow. In comparison to the OEM DT Swiss wheels, these Firecrest rotate about half as many times as the DT Swiss ones. Maybe even a third as many revolutions. Too much friction INHO.
June 6, 2021
Light, pretty easy to mount tires
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Size Bought:
- 700c
These wheels are very light, they almost feel fragile being this light. I needed to wet the tire bead with a little soapy water to help slide it over the rim and I was able to get it mounted without much trouble. Note that there are two drain holes in the rim, you can't see them in the pics. Those holes were not finished smoothly as they had a some carbon splinters, both rims were like this. SRAM confirmed that two holes is normal. I was able to seat 42 mm tires just using a floor pump, on the first try. No compressor needed. These definitely roll a lot faster than the aluminum WTB ST wheels that came with my bike. And the freehub is not very noisy either. I only have a couple rides so I can't speak to durability but so far I like the ride.
May 15, 2021
Great wheels!
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Weight:
- 182
Bought a set of the new 303 Firecrest to use as road wheels on my gravel bike. I've put several hundred miles on them now and really, really like them. As they are hookless, getting my tires to pop onto the rims took a little more effort than I was accustomed to. But once I got the tires to set on the rims, they've been solid so far.
October 24, 2020
Fantastic wheels
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Size Bought:
- 700c
- Height:
- 6' 4"
- Weight:
- 200
I have been riding these wheels for about two months now and I feel that I can provide some insight into how they perform. Installation: After receiving the wheels I installed a pair of 28 mm SCHWALBE Pro One Evolution tires. The tires mounted without the need for an air compressor and inflated with a floor pump. Both wheels showed some leakage around the valve stems initially but this quickly sealed when the Stan's sealant was injected and there were no issues with their holding air subsequently. This is the 5th tubeless installation that I have performed and it was by far the easiest. Performance: I was initially skeptical regarding the tire pressures recommended by Zipp for these wheels. For a rider of my weight, around 200 pounds, pressure of 65 psi in the rear and 60 psi in the front are recommended. As it turns out these pressures work very well. The 28 mm tires have taken on a very low and wide profile and dampen vibration and grip well with no squirming suggestive of inadequate inflation. After about 800 miles of riding I have had zero punctures. The freewheel is loud and I like the sound. There have been no issues with the hubs so far. Initially the bearings seemed sluggish, but after a few hundred miles they spin well. The wheels have remained true despite some punishment and appear to have been built well. I am unable to comment on the claims regarding power savings due to the improved compliance but I will say that the wheels feel fast. This is especially noticeable on chipseal roads and broken road surfaces, where there is a sensation of giving up less energy to the road than with other wheels that I have used. The wheels perform well in crosswinds despite their medium depth. Overall impressions: I think that this is an excellent wheelset and a great choice for the type of long distance riding that I do, where the compliance is very much appreciated. They look great. They are not inexpensive but I think that they are a good value given the quality and should last for many years.
Need Expert Advice?
Our Gearheads Can Help
September 20, 2021
Hi there, do you have the Zipp 303 Firecrest front wheel in stock/coming soon? I can only find listed the rear wheel, indicated as in stock. Thanks. Andrew
October 20, 2020