Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Road Wheel

When the professional peloton takes its spring campaign to the grueling cobbles of Roubaix and Flanders, you can count on the fact that Zipp sponsored teams will be on its 303, after all, the wheelset has the renowned distinction of being the first carbon wheelset to win those venerable classics. If you're building up a new ride or your trusty steed is in need of some new wheels, have a look at the Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Road Wheel knowing that it will add speed, drop weight, and add bombproof versatility on any race day or training ride.

Zipp gives the 303 Firecrest a 45mm rim depth providing an aerodynamic advantage while maintaining its positive handling traits in blustery conditions for a smooth, stress-free experience that will have riders on lesser wheels testing their nerves. A wide, 26.4mm external width gives the tire a secure and solid stance helping to decrease rolling resistance and increase stability by reducing the "lightbulb" effect found while mounting tires to narrower rims. You'll descend like a demon with the new-found confidence that these wheels provide and get inspired to contest every sprint and dive into corners like you're on rails to get the jump on the competition while still providing a comfortable ride along the way.

Zipp built these wheels to handle pancake flat, albeit bumpy roads, as well as beyond category climbs, but never lost sight of giving these wheels an aerodynamic advantage. Zipp's signature Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control (ABLC) dimpling features strategically placed and sized dimples across the rim surface to smooth airflow, allowing the wheel to slice deftly through the air. ABLC boasts aerodynamic advantages in real-world wind angles, giving it an advantage over many wheels that experience minimum drag numbers at wind angles that rarely occur outside of a wind tunnel. In a nutshell, these wheels will handle the windy conditions you'll run into out on the road better than most of the competition.

At the center of the 303, Zipp uses its 77/177 hubset, which enjoys improved stiffness and durability over its predecessors for a more responsive, stable ride. Straight-pull spoke flanges and increased bearing protection build up a laterally stiff set of wheels that are ready to roll without any pre-load adjustment. The rear hub's come with an XD compatible driver body, opening up options for a larger cassette range like SRAM's 10-42t option, along with standard Campy and SRAM/Shimano road. The driver bodies can be swapped out without having to re-dish the wheel, making it easier to swap out if your drivetrain choices change down the road. Each wheel includes Zipp's quick release skewer with a widened handle for better leverage when installing and a more streamlined look when closed.

The Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Road Wheel comes with a set of Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads, a Zipp Integrated Valve Extender with a valve-core wrench, rim tape, and a quick release skewer. Please note that the Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads are designed specifically for use with Zipp's carbon rims and Zipp recommends a maximum rider weight of 250lb for these wheels.