Zipp

202 Carbon Clincher Disc Brake Wheel

ZIPP's famous for making some of the fastest wheels on the road, but it's taking things to the next level with the 202 Carbon Clincher Disc Brake wheel. To make the most of your speed, you have to harness serious stopping power, and ZIPP's done that by setting the 202 up to ridden with disc brakes, which increase modulation, respond immediately, and work in all conditions, so you can ride harder and with more confidence.

Of course, for the brakes to matter you need to be able to hit high speeds in the first place. ZIPP redesigned the 202 with its Firecrest carbon-fiber technology, which decreases air resistance, increases stiffness, and boosts the 202's speed and stability on the descent. By widening the rim slightly, ZIPP increased traction and stability while decreasing rolling resistance, and used complex computer simulations to figure out that the added width is also beneficial for clincher-style wheels. The carbon is microscopically dimpled, like a golf ball, to reduce drag, and the shape of the 202 is designed to excel in real-world crosswinds, not just controlled laboratory conditions.

If you're psyched about the increased convenience of a top-shelf clincher, you might also be worried about its smoothness, compared to a tubular wheel. Don't be. ZIPP fused an aluminum hoop to the carbon structure, which acts as a gentle spring to smooth out road vibration, and inserted a magical viscoelastic material between the carbon laminates to further smooth out your ride. Topping things off, ZIPP hooked the 202 up with ZIPP 88 and ZIPP 188/V9 front and rear hubs, respectively, and strung the wheels with Sapim X-Ray stainless steel spokes. Titanium skewers lock the wheels on to your dropouts, and Swiss Steel bearings keep you spinning smoothly for thousands and thousands of miles. The 202 is compatible with six-bolt disc brake rotors only—no rim brakes here—and is intended for riders weighing up to 250lbs.