By our count, there are four big trends in wheel technology that are relevant to cyclocross and gravel cyclists: disc brakes; tubeless; wide rims; and thru axles.
Zipp Speed Weaponry has already embraced disc brakes, with the 303 Firecrest clincher and tubular wheels released in 2013, and the 202 Firecrest clincher wheelset we first saw last June.
As of today, the Indianapolis-based SRAM company embraces thru axles, and has updated the disc brake versions of its 202 Firecrest clincher and 303 Firecrest clincher and tubular carbon wheels with new thru axle hubs that it calls the 77 (front) and 177 (rear).
See-thru-axle options on the Zipp’s new 77/177 hubs. © Cyclocross Magazine
Cyclocross Magazine was one of a few media outlets to be invited by Zipp to tour its Indianapolis factory and attend the launch of the new Zipp 303 and 202 Firecrest disc brake wheels. The Zipp 202 tubular wheel remains rim brake only at the moment.
Zipp’s new 77/177 hubs shed a few grams, and now accept thru axles with a change of the end caps. © Cyclocross Magazine
The wheelsets still feature the exact same rims and spokes as the previous incarnations, but now offer more axle and driver options, have shed a bit of weight, and have dropped quite significantly in price. Page through slideshow for all the details on the changes to these new wheelsets.
