Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Cop.

303 have a long history but are always ahead of the curve!

Zipp's 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher are the "all-around" wheels. They are perfect for both smooth roads and bumpy sections, as well as for challenging climbs and fast descents.

After winning the Flanders Giro and Paris-Roubaix the engineers could Zipp safely sit on their laurels and enjoy their successes, but that's not the team's philosophy Zipp. Having discovered the incredible advantages of the Firecrest technology used in the production of the 404 and 808, they could not resist and applied it to the 303 as well.

The 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher offers significant improvements over its predecessors: they are faster and stiffer in out-of-the-saddle sections and, definitely, more comfortable in rough sections. Thanks to the Firecrest rim design that concentrates forces in the hub area, the new 303 is more stable than many wheels with a much more basso profile. The ABLC finish also guarantees maximum aerodynamic performance for perfect air penetration. With their combination of lightness, stiffness and comfort, the 303 Firecrest are extremely versatile wheels suitable for all types of use and routes.

At the heart of the 303 Firecrest Carbon is the 77/177 hub, an innovation that improves stiffness, durability, simplicity and versatility. Flange geometry and hole design together with Sapim® CX Sprint spokes optimize torsional and lateral rigidity and strength.

The Zipp Carbon clincher technology preserves the aerodynamic advantages of its 303 tubular sibling while adding the convenience of a clincher. And at around 1480g they're light enough to climb the roughest trails with the ease of all-around wheels.

The Firecrest profile optimizes the aerodynamics of both wheel met- front and rear. In addition, Firecrest moves the center of wheel pressure further back, giving a 45 mm profile wheel the transverse vento stability of a squared profile wheel. At the same time, the 26.4 mm wide braking track (in the middle) allows the clincher to take on a wider shape, with a more stable profile without compromising rolling resistance. It's faster, easier and safer.

The new wheels boast all the details that have made the Zipp famous. Outer spoke nipples embedded in the aerodynamic profile of the rim make maintenance easy and do not compromise speed.

Continuous braking can cause the surface to heat up, which affects the pressure inside the inner tube and consequently the performance of the bike. To solve this problem, exclusively for Zipp, the composites supplier created a resin that is resistant to high temperatures. This technology improves heat dissipation, which has made 303 Firecrest Carbon the most used wheels by professional cyclists.

Features

• Hub: Zipp 77/177.
• Profile height: 45 mm.
• Braking surface (center size): 26.4 mm.
• Braking surface (maximum): 26.4 mm.
• Inner rim width: 17 mm.
• Spokes: Sapim® CX-Sprint, 24 (rear), 18 (front).
• Radius: second cross (2-sided rear), radial (2-sided front).
• Rear wheel spoke length: 270 mm (cassette side), 272 mm (opposite side).
• Front wheel spoke length: 260 mm (both sides).
• Maximum tyre pressure: 125 psi/8.62 bar.
• Body: 11V.
• Compatibility: Shimano, XDR.
• Tubeless: No.

Technologies

Showstopper
In terms of braking power, the Zipp Research Centre (NSW) has focused on improving what other wheel manufacturers consider to be a good result for carbon rims, and this is how the Showstopper braking track was born. Zipp wanted to produce braking tracks whose performance was better than both that of aluminum rims and the performance of other carbon rims, obviously this goal was achieved and put into production.
Zipp's Showstopper braking tracks ensure incomparable braking power and modulation regardless of the weather conditions or the length of the descent, due to the incredible performance of the Showstopper tracks you will be forced to find a new excuse not to go pedaling during rainy days.

ABLC™  (Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control)
Advanced Boundary Layer Control (ABLC) is the name of the patented and unique design of carbon rims Zipp, for the third generation of ABLC the rim surface has a 4 times higher amount of flares than the previous versions, these small depressions allow air to flow around the rim increasing its aerodynamic characteristics. ABLC is present on all wheels Zipp from 202 to Super-9 discs.

Firecrest
With the new Firecrest rim profile in the 202, 303, 404 and 808 wheels, Zipp makes more of a difference than ever. Not only does it have a more aerodynamic profile than any other rim, but it improves handling with transverse vento and ride qualities.

Carbon Clincher
The Carbon CLincher technology is the result of two years of intensive engineering and testing efforts. Zipp worked in partnership with its composite supplier to develop a special ultra-heat-resistant resin based on materials used in motorcycle and automotive industries. This new resin has brought incredible improvements in the management of the heat developed during braking and has allowed all Zipp Carbon clincher wheels to brilliantly pass the strict CEN safety tests.

Inclusive

• Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads.
• Quick releases.
• Valve extensions.
• Circle ribbons.
• Cassette thickness Sram.

Product Note L
The wide profile of the 303 Firecrest is key to the revolutionary Firecrest technology used to achieve wheels with superior aerodynamics and at the same time improved stability and rideability.
The 303 Firecrest rear wheel, however, can present mounting issues for a limited number of road and triathlon frames. The distance between the chainstays and the rim may not be adequate to avoid contact between the two parts when under stress. Users who encounter this problem can choose any other wheel in the Zipp range as an alternative, including the 404 Firecrest which have a thinner aero profile.

Below is the list of frames that may present this problem:

• 2012 Specialized Tarmac SL4
• Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge