Zipp has launched a new 404 S road wheelset which, it says, offers “industry-leading aerodynamic performance” at a sub-£1,000 price point.
Zipp launched the 303 S tubeless wheelset a few years ago at a price well below any of the brand’s existing carbon-fibre wheels, and it has since added the 303 XPLR S gravel wheelset and 1ZERO HITOP S cross-country mountain bike wheelset to the range.
The S Series wheels are designed to offer many of the aerodynamic and tubeless technologies of Zipp’s premium lineup but at a more accessible price point. Don’t get us wrong, we know that £1,000 is still a lot of cash to spend on bike wheels, but they’re considerably less expensive than Zipp’s NSW and Firecrest wheels, for example.
“The Zipp 404 S was designed from the ground up to offer the fastest possible road wheel at our most attractive price point to the discerning cyclist looking to upgrade their experience on the road.
“Building upon the groundwork laid by its predecessor, the 303 S, this next-generation road wheel brings industry-leading aerodynamic performance to Zipp’s acclaimed S Collection of wheels… With a laser focus on paved performance, the 404 S offers advantages over the 303 S in every meaningful way – aerodynamics, hub performance, aesthetics, and price.”
The 404 S comes with 50mm-deep TSS (tubeless straight side) rims. Zipp has confirmed many times that it is happy sticking with hookless tech.
Zipp says that the 404 S rim profile borrows from its Firecrest design, providing “premium-level aerodynamic performance” while staying shallow enough to maintain stability in crosswinds. This design is said to offer a small aero advantage over the 303 S (with 45mm-deep rims), and also over “competitor wheels that come in well over twice the price”.
According to Zipp’s own figures, the 404 S’s weighted aero drag is lower than that of wheelsets including the Roval Rapide CLX, Roval Sprint CLX, Enve SES 4.5 Pro and Scope Artech 4.A.
“Paired with a 23mm internal rim width, this TSS wheel allows for 28-39mm width tyres to be run at lower pressures for optimal rolling resistance and control on nearly any road condition,” says Zipp.
It means asphalt/Tarmac roads – the 404 S isn’t suitable for gravel.
“The 404 S comes in a 20-hole front and 24-hole rear laced in a 2-cross configuration with Sapim CX-Sprint spokes to the proven performance of our 76/176 hubset, providing 36 points of quick engagement in a build that weighs in at just 1,585g,” says Zipp.
That weight includes tubeless valves and rim tape.
The 404 S is covered by Zipp’s lifetime warranty and crash replacement policy.
You can choose between in-your-face white decals and more understated grey ones.
The wheels can take a maximum tyre pressure of 73 psi (5 bar) and a maximum system weight (bike plus rider) of 115kg.
The front Zipp 404 S wheel is £475 and the rear (available with either a SRAM/Shimano 10/11-speed or XDR freehub) is £510.
4 thoughts on “Zipp launches new 404 S carbon road wheels promising “industry-leading aero performance” for under £1,000”
Hookless and yet still ‘just 1585’ grams. No and no . The only thing ‘industry leading’ is their marketing team that convinces folk to part with their money for this product.
Hookless is still a bad idea. I agree that it should be safe when all guidelines are adhered to, but that is not always going to happen in the real world. I’ve had several clients come to my workshop with bikes that they’ve bought 2nd hand and have no idea what I mean when I ask about their hookless rims. Just yesterday I someone with a Scott bike with Zipp 303 S hookless wheels; he’d been pumping his tubed tires up to 90-100 psi on them, because that’s what he’s always done. I had to educate him and he’s now going to be using his new 30mm tires at 60-65 psi and checking that his pump is somewhat calibrated. Why do brands like Zipp continuing to put people in dangerous situations that are totally unnecessary?
Sees headline … hmm those’ll be hookless then. Opens article. Yep. I’ll pass thanks.
I think I read on Weight Weenies once that Zipps are for the go with the flow crowd who vaguely recall that they may have been mentioned as good once and can’t be bothered to do any actual research themselves. They’re welcome to them – hookless and with junk hubs.