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).
202 Disc Gets Brass Nipples, 303 Disc Enjoys Gram Savings
The new 77/177 hubset offers some minor weight savings, with more machined surfaces and relieved material, and the removal of bearing preload screws. The Firecrest 303 tubular and clincher disc wheelsets shed 35 grams per pair due to the lighter hubs.
The new Zipp 77/177 hubs feature shiny, machined reliefs next to the flanges, and new graphics. © Cyclocross Magazine
The 202 Firecrest clincher disc wheelset doesn’t enjoy the same weight savings, and is listed at the exact same weight as before, at 1530 grams. Why? Zipp swapped the alloy nipples for brass on the 202 disc model, explaining, “To exceed the demands of gravel and adventure road riding, the wheelset is laced using Sapim brass nipples for increased stiffness and durability in all conditions.”
See the next page for the big story on what’s missing with these updated wheels.
