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Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Disc-Brake Road Wheel - Clincher

$1,272.00 - $1,553.00

Item # ZIP0223

3 5

Community Rating | 1 Review

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  • Black, 700c-Front ($1,272.00)
  • Black, 700c-SRAM Rear ($1,553.00)
  • Black, 700c-Campy Rear ($1,553.00)
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Item # ZIP0223


The new wave.

If you've been waiting for worthy disc brake-compatible wheels for your road or 'cross bike, it's time to rejoice -- the Zipp 303 Firecrest Clincher Disc Wheel is finally here. And true to the name, these wheels roll on Zipp's 45mm 303 Firecrest carbon clincher rim, and a redesigned version of the 88/188 hub set. So, say hello to better braking, without saying goodbye to light weight or ride quality.

The layup of the rims hasn’t changed from Zipp's venerable 303 Firecrest clincher. That may come as a surprise, as disc brakes negate the need for a braking surface. However, Zipp's engineers found that the 303 Firecrest rim was already optimized in terms of strength and weight, so there wasn't an advantage to be had by changing the rim profile. However, there is one notable change from the rim-brake version, and that is the brake track itself. The standard 303 Firecrest uses a high-abrasion brake track, and the disc brake wheels receive no such treatment. As such, even though there is a vertical sidewall, the 303 Firecrest disc wheels are not compatible with rim brakes.

It follows that the disc version of the 45mm deep 303 Firecrest provides the same advantages as its rim-brake counterpart. The Firecrest shape refers to a wider rim profile, which measures at a 17.25mm internal width. Extensive research has proven that this wider rim shape enhances the grip of your tires by both increasing the size of the contact patch and by increasing the air volume of the tire. Not only does it improve grip, but because the increased air volume allows the tire to deform more naturally over surface irregularities, the wider rim profile enables these wheels to roll faster than comparable wheels incorporating a narrower rim. And in the spirit of quickness, the 303 Disc wheel retains the dimpled surface of the original. Like a golf ball, those dimples create a minor aerodynamic disturbance, effectively creating a pillow of air around the wheel that enables it to cut through the air with less drag.

And, if you're unfamiliar with the Firecrest's aerodynamic advantage, we'll give you a refresher course. The Firecrest was designed to account for differences in airflow between tubulars and clinchers. Using computational fluid dynamics, Zipp improved crosswind stability by moving the center of pressure towards the steering axis. To counteract drag, the Firecrest maintains a near-constant width around the spoke bed in order to control the airflow around the back half of the wheel where the curved sections stick the airflow to the rim surface. This forces the flow into a high-energy state that creates a turbulent boundary layer near the surface. This action reduces pressure drag, and increases skin friction which is ten times lower than pressure drag.

For the 303 disc wheels, Zipp employs the latest version of their renowned 88/188 hubset. Like previous iterations, it rolls on custom Swiss-made stainless steel bearings. Not surprisingly, the rear hub features a new 11-speed compatible freehub body as well. So, you'll enjoy compatibility with the latest generation of drivetrains, including SRAM's new Red 22 group set. The significant change is the addition of a six-bolt disc rotor mount. Accordingly, the rear hub is spaced at 135mm, or five millimeters wider than a standard rear wheel. This ensures compatibility with the current generation of disc-equipped road bikes.

To cope with the added loads that disc brakes impart, Zipp's engineers have made some modifications to the spoke layout. Where the rim-brake 303 Firecrest uses radial lacing on the non-drive side of the rear wheel, the disc version gets a 'virtual' three-cross build. And in case you're not sure what the 'virtual' means, it's just a reference to the fact that the spokes cross each other at three points, but that they only make contact with one another at two points. Basically, this reduces the occurrence of wind-up when you hit the brakes. So, your stopping is sharp and responsive, instead of being vague.

The Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Disc Wheel is sold individually and with the label color of either Black or White. Additionally, the rear wheel is available with either a Campagnolo or Shimano/SRAM 11-speed freehub body. Please note that rotors are not included with this wheel, and that Zipp does not recommend this wheel for riders exceeding 250lb.

Tech Specs

[rim] carbon fiber
Rim Width:
[maximum] 28.5 mm, [external] 26.4 mm, [internal] 17.25 mm
Rim Depth:
45 mm
Front Hub:
Zipp 88 disc
Front Hub Type:
Rear Hub:
Zipp 88 disc
Rear Hub Type:
black bladed
Spoke Nipple Material:
Front Spoke Count:
24 2-cross
Rear Spoke Count:
24 virtual 3-cross
Axle Type:
[front] 100 mm quick-release, [rear] 10x135 mm quick-release
Brake Compatibility:
Rotor Compatibility:
Front Weight:
780 g
Rear Weight:
900 g
Complete Set Weight:
1680 g
Recommended Use:
cyclocross and road racing
Manufacturer Warranty:
2 years
Actual Weight:
Black, 700c-SRAM Rear: 890g

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Here's what others have to say...

3 5

Skewers not included and basic packaging

Heads-up if buying - I ordered a front wheel, and it arrived today as expected. However it did not include a skewer. valve extender, or documentation pack that normally accompanies a new Zipp wheel. The rim tape was already installed, and the wheel came in a generic carton with 2 thin pieces of polystyrene for packing. The wheel was not in a protective bag. For a $1200+ wheel, I was a little surprised.... My rating is not on the performance of the wheel - more about the extras that need to be purchased and somewhat poor (non-Zipp) packaging.

The Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Disc-Brake...

The Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon Disc-Brake Road Wheel states it's disc brake only whereas the wheelset say it's both disc and caliper compatible. Are they different?

Responded on

These wheels are built with the same rim as is used in the caliper brake 303 Firecrest. As such you are definitely able to use both disc and rim brakes on this wheel.
If you have any other questions please feel free to give us a call at 1.888.276.7130

Responded on
