Zipp surprises with the new 404 S: their most affordable aero wheels to date

The price war in the carbon wheel market continues to intensify, and Zipp has just made a move. The American brand has introduced the new 404 S, a set of aerodynamic wheels designed to offer performance close to its most advanced models, but at a much more competitive price to face the growing rise of Asian brands that are revolutionizing the sector.

Zipp brings Firecrest technology to a much more accessible price with the new 404 S

With a price of 1,100 euros for the complete set in Europe, the new 404 S becomes Zipp's most affordable aero offering to date, positioning itself in a market segment where emerging manufacturers are increasingly present, capable of offering lightweight carbon wheels with profiles at very aggressive prices.

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According to the brand, the goal of this launch is to transfer part of the technology developed for the exclusive Firecrest to a much more accessible product without sacrificing speed. In fact, Zipp claims that the 404 S are its first specifically aerodynamic high-performance wheels priced below the psychological barrier of 1,200 euros.

Aero wheels designed for real use

The new 404 S use a 50 mm deep and 23 mm wide carbon rim, following the hookless philosophy that the brand has been developing for years. They are optimized for tires between 28 and 30 mm, a configuration that allows for lower rolling pressures to improve rolling resistance and reduce vibrations.

Although they inherit much of the shape of the 404 Firecrest, the profile has been reduced from 58 mm of the higher model to 50 mm. According to Zipp, this depth offers a very significant aerodynamic advantage without compromising handling as much when crosswinds blow.

The brand also states that the 404 S generate an approximate savings of 2 watts compared to the popular 303 S, the all-road model that previously occupied the entry-level tier within the company's carbon road wheels.

Faster than much more expensive wheels, according to Zipp

One of the aspects Zipp has wanted to highlight in this launch is its new aerodynamic evaluation method. The company claims to have combined wind tunnel tests, CFD simulations, and data obtained in real-world usage conditions along with over a million historical wind records.

From all that information, they have developed their own metric called Weighted Aero Drag, which aims to better reflect the behavior of a wheel in real riding situations.

According to the graphs shown by the brand, the 404 S offer superior aerodynamic performance compared to several competing models that cost significantly more, including some high-end wheels that double their price.

Robust construction and lifetime warranty

The new wheels feature Sapim CX Sprint steel spokes, a choice that may surprise at a time when many brands are opting for carbon spokes. However, Zipp insists that it continues to prioritize durability and long-term reliability.

The set claims a weight of 1,585 grams and uses the well-known Zipp 76/176 hubs. The rear hub features a three-pawl system and 36 engagement points to provide quick response in accelerations and sprints.

Another selling point is the maximum weight limit, which reaches 115 kg, a figure higher than many carbon wheels with similar profiles.

Additionally, the 404 S are covered by the same lifetime warranty and Crash Replacement program that Zipp offers on its premium models, an aspect with which the brand also seeks to differentiate itself from many emerging manufacturers.

Features, price, and availability of the Zipp 404 S

• Rim profile: 50 mm
• Internal width: 23 mm
• Hookless design (TSS)
• Compatible with 28-30 mm tires
• Declared weight: 1,585 g
• Sapim CX Sprint spokes
• Zipp 76/176 hubs
• 36 engagement point hub
• Weight limit: 115 kg
• Lifetime warranty and Crash Replacement program

The new Zipp 404 S are already available both as a complete set and separately.

• Front wheel: 530 €
• Rear wheel: 570 €
• Complete set: 1,100 €

Additionally, they have already started to appear as standard on some latest-generation road bike builds, including certain versions of the new Canyon Aeroad CF SLX equipped with SRAM Force AXS.