Zipp-tastic: A fitting adjective to describe Super Squadra’s physics defying Zipp 404 and 999 wheelsets. Forget wind cheating, rather, these hoops are competition cheating. Zipp describes it as “Speed Weaponry.” I less artfully sum it up as “Why not line up with the best?”
Zipp invests countless dollars into the sole goal of making a bike go faster—and they’ve been doing so since 1988, beginning with two discs, and pioneering the tri-spoke just a year later. Only three years after their creation, Zipp claimed their first Rainbow Jersey.
Zipp 404-1258grams $2100msrp
Bet enough history, lets talk proven and tested speed. The first time a cyclist moves from that 40lb cruiser to a svelte new roadie, they enter another realm. One where accelerations seem instant, and cornering ever more confident. The moment you hit the throttle on Zipp’s dimpled 404s, you experience that same euphoria. Perhaps bells won’t ring during your first outing. The Roman calvary may not roll in. But you can expect quite nearly everything else. For reasons that can be explained you will be ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ or rather ‘Swifter, Higher, Stronger” .
The Zipp 404’s accelerate incredibly quickly due to their extreme lightweight (1258 grams) and superior stiffness. Furthermore, once they hit 30 mph, staying there feels almost effortless. The lulling hum is all that’s needed to remind you of the ten-plus watts the rim’s highly engineered shape and dimpling save you. Paired with Zipp’s Tangente tire, and VCLC technology, cornering can be put into a rather dangerous perspective—for your competition, that is. The buttery hubs equipped with either “basic” Swiss bearings or a full ceramic upgrade, along with Sapim bladed spokes top off an already amazing wheelset.
Overall the Zipp 404s, originally designed for time trialing yet nearly immune to crosswinds, continue to score high in all real and laboratory testing. Quick, stunningly light, and undeniably aerodynamic, they are truly the holy grail of modern carbon tubulars. Finally, Zipps new Carbon Bridge technique of binding carbon at the top of the rims side walls will keep these rockets rolling and rolling.
Summary: Stiffness and lightness paired with a 58mm deep dimpled rim, makes for a perfect do everything wheelset. The cassette body can be swapped between the three main component groups, making them even more versatile. As a special touch, Team Garmin Decals are also available (we expect Super Squadra decals in the near future).
Dimpled rim
Durable and multi-system compatible hub
Zipp 999-1585 grams, $2500msrp
World champ pedigree
Mavic’s veritable monopoly on high end track wheelsets may be over. Enter the Zipp’s 999s, which offer all the performance at…wait for it, half the cost. They may be spotted under a Super Squadra TT rig one day and hitting the boards the next, but don’t be confused, it really is the same wheelset. Zipp has created a hub system that swaps from road to track in literally 60 seconds. Stable in crosswinds, light enough for rollers, and stiff enough to avoid annoying brake rub; the 999s simply can’t disappoint. Once paired with Zipp’s 21mm Tangente tubular these wheels are over 80 seconds faster than a 32 spoke rim over 40k. The 999s beg for speed.
For me, the true benefits of Zipp’s 999s show on the track where a chink in any wheelset’s armor will quickly be revealed. Something that feels great on the road, can turn to garbage once paired with a fixed gear. A good track wheelset is all about the rear hub. Lesser hub systems lead to all sorts of trouble, including an unsecure grip to the frames horizontal dropouts. Zipp solves this problem with solid 15mm bolts and a thick steel axle where weight is not a primary concern; forming a secure, worry free system.
Once converted to a fixed gear set up, the undeniable bond between the rider and machine is formed. Zipp 999s do it all: Scratch, Points, or even quad busting Killermeters. The 999s are reliable in all race situations. Having ridden the gold standard of track wheels, Mavic’s $5000 iO and rear disc, I have come to truly appreciate the best of the best. But what amazes me is that Zipp can deliver an equal wheel set at half the price. I may only weigh 130lbs, but now that I finally have nearly equal wattage to GB’s star World Champion female sprinter Victoria Pendleton, I will continue trying to find their limits.
Summary: Zipp’s 999s give great benefits to all riders looking for the worlds fastest wheelset. Ability to be used on both the road and track minimizes cost for many riders, while versatility on the boards saves time between events.
Zimple
