Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Road Wheelset

Built to withstand the jarring cobbles of races like Flanders and Roubaix, the Zipp 303 holds the venerable distinction of the first carbon wheelset to win those storied classics and has gained a reputation as a versatile jack of all trades. For 2016, the 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Road Wheelset gets updated hubs for an added dose of speed. The 303 Firecrest features a 45mm rim that provides aerodynamic advantages while maintaining stable handling in crosswinds for a smooth, stress free experience even on windy days. A wide, 26. 4mm brake track gives the tire a secure stance without impacting rolling resistance and increases stability by nearly eliminating the side bulge effect found in tires mounted to narrower rims. The wider rim makes for more tire volume, and that means lower rolling resistance and more confidence for cornering on rails all while providing a comfortable ride along the way. The wheels feature an updated version of Zipp's signature Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control ABLC dimpling, which uses strategically placed and sized dimples across the rim surface to smooth airflow. The even better news is that ABLC enjoys aerodynamic advantages at real world yaw angles. Compared to many wheels that experience minimum drag numbers at wind angles that rarely occur outside of a wind tunnel, the 303 Firecrests are shaped to handle the windy conditions you'll run into on the actual road. In the middle, Zipp uses its updated 77177 hubset with improved stiffness and durability over its predecessor for a smooth, supple ride. Featuring a new platform and graphics for 2016, these hubs boast increased bearing protection and are ready to roll without any pre load adjustment. The rear hub is compatible with a separately sold XD driver body, opening up options for a larger cassette range of up to SRAM's 10 42t if needed. The driver bodies can be swapped out without having to re dish the wheel, and each wheel includes Zipp's new quick release skewer with a w...