Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless Disc Brake Wheelset Review

[@Club-Awesome]

Thanks

[@BjrnTrygveHammer]

Nice wheels. I have riden them since August and I am super happy with them.

[@rickbeckner9906]

Thanks for the review! I just ordered a pair for my gravel bike! Can’t wait for them to get here.

[@GravelCyclist]

You will not be disappointed, enjoy!

[@rickbeckner9906]

@@GravelCyclist I figure if they were good enough for the LGC …. 😀

[@seanwise7464]

“Empowering mental feeling of speed translating to perceived speed” Excellent description lol. I sometimes prove this theory while matching PR ‘s over same routes with my cheaper, older, hog of a road bike vs with my $6000 road bike. Regardless, I still must have these wheels on my gravel bike!

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha, yes!

[@marvinsmall5002]

Yet again... Great review. No BS. Thank you. 🙂👍

[@arontal]

Nice. Have a Ribble CGR SL build coming in March and just changed the wheelset from Mavic to this Zipp option.

[@memos_povreviews5539]

You the man!! Thanks for the great detailed review!

[@seanwise7464]

I may have watched this a dozen times trying to decide, then finally found a set of these wheels for myself. I’m Using Schwalbe G one allarounds in 40c and so far just one ride , but I covered road, gravel, and some mtb single track sections during it. They seem more lively but stiff feeling than my Niner RLT’s stock stans Grails. Once I found the tire pressure “sweet spot “ they were excellent. I did notice the hub engagement was a little slow on technical sections, but not really enough to make it any different from other wheels in this range. They do look fantastic, but then again I like deeper wheels on any bike regardless of practicality or benefit.

[@GravelCyclist]

Deeper wheels look the business, looking good is important as well :) IMHO, the Niner's stock Stan's Grail wheels seriously hamper that bike's performance, especially with their weight. Glad you upgraded the wheels, that is a recommendation I made in my Niner review videos.

[@Atlantis109]

​@@GravelCyclistHi! Great video! Can I use them with tubolito cameras?

[@zsoltmajor860]

For both road (28mm) or gravel use (38mm) which wheelset would you recommend : Zipp 303s vs DT Swiss GRC 1400 (note, the GRC 1400 costs currently the same price as Zipp in some stores) - I'm asking you because I saw that you have tested both wheelsets. Thanks!

[@joshburg09]

Love this. I have these wheels in the mail and have the same pump and TLR charger.

[@richhoward7050]

Great review. These wheels are a fantastic value, $1000 less than comparable wheelsets, good for road or gravel, and lifetime warranty. They are 150-200g heavier than top top end $$$ wheels but who cares.

[@rocketssss6]

200 g of rotational mass.... who cares? I guess you haven't had the luxury of enjoying the difference between that difference. Apologies.

[@I3ene1]

@@rocketssss6 What would you recommend for gravel and 40+ tyres? A lightweigt wheelset or these zipps?

[@dariusjurasius]

Nice review! Do they have a pinhole to let the water out if the rim?

[@willh3408]

If you Google "Zipp 303S drain hole" you'll find that they don't, and that a lot of people are experiencing problems with this. I find it a pretty incomprehensible oversight, and as someone who cycles in the UK I will be looking for another set of wheels!

[@dariusjurasius]

@@willh3408 i have exactly same problem with Hunt wheel set, and their support response was awesome! “We build strong wheels not the ones with holes, you just shake off the water via valve”.

[@willh3408]

@@dariusjurasius Thanks Darius. How easy or hard are you finding it to get rid of the water by shaking it out of the valves on your Hunt wheels?

[@michaelgrantmyre7215]

Thanks for the review! Any chance that you might review the Easton AX90 wheels?

[@GravelCyclist]

At the moment, there are no wheels from Easton in the pipeline.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

Thanks for another comprehensive review of another nice wheel set. I keep on hearing about the hookless bead design lately. What is the benefit of this? Seems to me that hooked rims provide better tire retention.

[@thelmaviaduct]

Lighter, stronger, less complex/cheaper are the benefits. Don't know about tyre retention???

[@awesomexistence]

Wheel manufacturing is less complicated with a reusable rim bed mold vs a crocheted/hook bead sacrificial mold piece..

[@Dr.Schlitz]

Car rims are hookless, so the concept is not novel. Some hookless designs have a bit of a lip on the rim bed to keep the bead from moving back towards the centerline of the wheel. I've never had an issue with tire retension with hookless rims.

[@davidadamus177]

@@Dr.Schlitz as long as you keep the tire pressure in the recommended range, you are good. Used to run "hookless" Schwinn tank rims on my old Schwinn Continental road bike.

[@osworthy]

awesome review, do you have an ENVE 45 comparison or plan on reviewing them. I have them both up for consideration

[@GravelCyclist]

Sorry, ENVE G23 and ENVE G27 are the only ENVE wheelsets I have reviewed at this time. The 45 is a possibility in the future, but no promises.

[@osworthy]

@@GravelCyclist Sounds good enjoyed the informative Zipp303S review nonetheless. Thanks

[@stossie]

Great review! Curious, what are the orange, grey camo pattern shoes worn in the video?

[@GravelCyclist]

Northwave Extreme XCM, sadly, they are discontinued :(

[@antonystables5230]

Hi, see when you’re changing the freehub bodies between SRAM XDR and shimano 11 speed, do you have a different set of end caps specific to each? Or are the end caps compatible?

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

Great content. I have a question. I have only a 10 speed grx 400 cassette. Can I used it by using a spacer? Thanks.

[@GravelCyclist]

Yes, there is a spacer you can install, likely a Shimano 11 speed individual cassette spacer, behind your 10 speed cassette. So, spacer, 10 speed cassette, locking. Good luck!

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

@@GravelCyclist thank you.

[@jordanboogaard8277]

What are the best carbon wheels for gravel in the $1k-1.3k range?

[@benjaminmeaker]

Hey there mate, thanks for the review! Quick Q - which wheelset would you opt for between the Zipp 303S and Enve’s AG25?

[@graemelanghorne]

Any issues with water retention in the rims so far? A colleague of mine has some and because of the lack of drain hole the rims are holding water. Thanks for the review.

[@tohenny]

excellent review :-)

[@KOL630]

How do you rate these vs. The DT Swiss GRC 1400? I have a set and whilst I love them I’ve had two front replaced as they seemed to have a crack under the lacquer at point of manufacture. Can’t get them in the Uk now so considering selling them and getting something else. Highly annoying. My rear one has been fine. Sold black finish with no issues but my fronts have both had a line running along the inside just outside the spokes which in places the Lacquer has slightly cracked above the mark. Not good.

[@dcasandman]

What’s your favorite wheelset you find yourself reaching for most the time? So many options trying narrow it down.

[@2wheeledMD]

Can you also review winspace grapids?

[@GravelCyclist]

They would need to send a pair to me. Thank you.

[@therealSIRBOOM]

Are the hubs any good? Compared to Hunt's Gravel 35 wheel?

[@GravelCyclist]

No idea about the Hunt wheel, never ridden that variant. Zipp's hubs have proven solid thus far.

[@compkiler]

Im toying with getting a set of these for my new Checkpoint SL6. Would i really notice much difference do you think?

[@sysispgm2791]

Worth to Canyon grizl 7?

[@lloydberry273]

The problem with the free hub falling off is not particular to Zipp. I have same problem with my Hunt wheels. Not fun trying to find small greasy wheel pieces when you in the middle of a forest

[@GravelCyclist]

I've seen the same on another brand whose name escapes me... I shall edit if I recall.

[@ikhwanfairouz3132]

Hi, does the 15mm thru axle end caps comes as extra in the box as well? Im using 15mm x 100mm Thru axle front. If yes i dont have to buy thru axle conversion kit.

[@GravelCyclist]

I believe you will need to purchase the 15mm parts separately.

[@ikhwanfairouz3132]

@@GravelCyclist Thank you so much

[@mancello]

Good review. Nice price for this wheelset. Was wondering about side winds affecting the bike handling with the deep section rims when you addressed it in the video.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Nick, I try and be thorough with my real-world reviews.

[@durianriders]

Id never buy any deep section rim again. The most aero are shallow section rims. I ride in all conditions thus chose the most aero products as possible. That is small tubed frames with shallow section rims.

[@pauljozefak7540]

I have this wheelset now for a while. Honestly, side winds effect these far, far more than my previous carbon wheel set which was also 45 deep. I would have never thought such a difference is possible but very much so in the case of the 303s.

[@thelmaviaduct]

Can 135mm 10 or 12mm thru axles be used via adapters on the rear? Ideally I'd want to use a 135mm x 10mm dt Swiss rws thru axle.

[@GravelCyclist]

You need to ask Zipp that question. It would be simple to accomplish, just a matter of the appropriate parts.

[@dockweiler14]

Cool review. Is the GK 38c SK 38mm when mounted on the 303s?

[@GravelCyclist]

39mm for me.

[@vincewchan]

Please do a comparison video between these and the Roval c38 wheel set

[@GravelCyclist]

That would involve me having a set of Roval C38's to review. I generally avoid direct comparison videos, they are too subjective most of the time, IMHO.

[@vincewchan]

@@GravelCyclist do you have a set you can review? Or have any experience with them? Reason why I ask is because they’re about the same price range. Msrp 1200 usd

[@GravelCyclist]

@@vincewchan I don't have a set and no experience, sorry! The only Roval wheelset I have reviewed is the Roval Terra CLX... very very nice, super light, but a bit pricier than the Zipps in this review.

[@FOE7]

@@GravelCyclist Aren’t Terra CLX at least 50% expensive?

[@timmckinstry]

New to your channel and wonder what tire pressure you run with various size tires? T.I.A.

[@ДмитрийРоманенок-с3й]

Hey! Which wheels are best for road workouts, zipp 303 firecrest or 303s?

[@paulwilliams4990]

Firecrest

[@cyclingmd]

Nice review. Where would you rank these against the Roval Terra CLX?

[@GravelCyclist]

Sorry Matthew, I am not going to provide a comparison against other wheels, that's what my reviews are for, for you to weigh up the differences and figure that out :) The contrived click bait comparison bollocks videos can be found elsewhere.

[@RrR__RrR]

@@GravelCyclist thats the most idiotic thing I've read from a "professional" bicycle reviewer. Providing comparisons between competing products is critical. Thats what people watching these reviews expect you to provide.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@RrR__RrR You're entitled to your opinion, but I am certainly no idiot. Moving on! I'm a "professional" reviewer? This is news to me. I'm paid for my reviews? That would be a resounding no. I work a regular 40-hour a week job in addition to holding down the fort at Gravel Cyclist. I like to remain independent so I can provided an unbiased review of Product X. During the time I've run my entity, I conducted a side by comparison of Niner's MCR vs the Topstone Carbon Lefty, and that's pretty much it. I can see where comparing features of Product X vs Product Y would be useful, perhaps this is what you meant? I have no plans to provide comparisons where my opinion of Product X vs Product Y is involved, I feel that is far too subjective. Click bait comparison content is not me, there's plenty of other creators doing that. Expecations? I don't provide those. Expect to be disaappointed. Thank you.

[@eykveg]

Hello there ! Thank you so much for the informative video as always :) . I have a question and probably need advice from you . I just got the 303s wheel set, however I wanted the Panaracer GK 32mm tubeless ready , the bike shop owner told me it’s not advisable because of the tire bead as it’s not meant for hookless setup. And then I saw this video, do u have any problems with the gravelkings? The shop owner said it’s risky as it may pop out of the rim bed . :( would love to get yer advice on this . Thank you sir.

[@TheDj5662]

7

[@MrGrenadeMcBoom]

What's the difference between this and the 303 Firecrest?

[@GravelCyclist]

Zipp.com has the answer.

[@dragonoftheninja]

When is the Ribble review coming?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hopefully a couple of weeks, I have one bike ahead of it.

[@dragonoftheninja]

@@GravelCyclist nice! Looking forward to it. I really enjoy your videos

[@thecappy]

Wish they had more spokes. I find I brake spokes with anything under 28 and usually ride 32 spokes. So far the 28 spoke Hunt 35 wide gravel are holding up.

[@GravelCyclist]

You "brake" spokes? Maybe pick better lines? Or, check out your tyre pressure?

[@awesomexistence]

axs.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure

[@GravelCyclist]

@@awesomexistence That is linked in the video description...

[@garypostell5268]

Question do you ride 700 more than 650b ?

[@GravelCyclist]

700c, but I have a couple of 650b wheelsets I roll on occasion. I've reviewed several pairs in the past.

[@targaW3007]

A very nice set of wheels. But not available in Europe since summer. It’s out of stock, everywhere

[@GravelCyclist]

Currently a problem the world over :(

[@pauljozefak7540]

Odd, in Germany I bought mine early October.

[@JayKumar-ib3sy]

can we run as clincher on this ?

[@GravelCyclist]

I believe you can, but double check the Zipp website.

[@dundundata7603]

@9:30 Epic

[@loiccartier9697]

somebody have problem with water inside the rim?

[@richardharker2775]

Tyres. Rims. ETRTO. Carbon rim construction is made in a mould that is machined and measured very accurately. The tyres on the other hand are layered onto an accurately sized drum with rubber compounds and belts and then vulcanised with heat to form the finished product. Unfortunately, depending on the compounds, the sizing of the tyre can change slightly when they have cooled. The engineers have to calculate from their analysis' what the finished sizes should be. Too tight and no one would buy them. Too loose and they are easy to fit but not as tubeless although as in your case extra tape fixes the problem. Personally I would prefer a slightly tighter fitting tyre. I also run the SK's but not tubeless.

[@eo1830]

Aren’t the bearings and body ‘proprietary parts’ when it comes to zipp..?!

[@GravelCyclist]

The cassette body may be, that can be said for many wheels out there. As for the bearings, I don' think so, but you'd need I.D., O.D., or the bearing number on the seal, etc.

[@mikicastan]

I find those gravelking to be very sloppy on 303 nsw disc

[@GravelCyclist]

You need to explain this a little better.

[@mikicastan]

@@GravelCyclist I put some electrical tape on rims in two layers. They fit very loose.

[@awesomexistence]

Bicycle tire/wheel standards,for the 1st time in decades, are going thru a re-evaluation now. www.vittoria.com/ap/etrto-bike-tires

[@johnpritchard1428]

Nice wheels I admit and I enjoyed them a lot ... up to the point the hubs failed. Less than a year and the sram 'blotting paper' hub seals strike again. The sram attitude to their failed seals stinks too ... if you think they would be covered under their 'lifetime' warranty, think again If you ride in the desert and don't wash your bike, you're good to go

[@GravelCyclist]

When you say the hubs failed, do you mean premature bearing wear? Wondering if you reached out to your local deal or SRAM / Zipp direct? I found the rear hub's cassette body can be easily removed by hand for maintenance. I often dab some Dumonde Tech freehub oil in there, helps keep everything inside operating smoothly. Front wheels have been completely trouble free for me, but I do a bearing check periodically, especially after a nasty conditions, wet, sludge ride.

[@townegr]

I'm hearing the internal is closer to 22.5mm on the Zipp 303S. Would have been easier to verify the authenticity of your measurement if your thumb weren't obscuring the camera ;) Nonetheless, thank you for the review!

[@ketle369]

Just make a video saying 9999999999

[@GravelCyclist]

Is this some kind of ASMR request?

[@ketle369]

@@GravelCyclist Nain, its not. ;)