Zipp 404 Clincher Wheels
One has to love the convenience of today's clincher technology. Any rider looking for the highest aerodynamic performance in a clincher race wheel, who wants to race and train on the same wheelset and who demands light weight and durability will find the 404 clincher the ideal choice.
The pioneer in structural co-molded carbon fiber rims with welded and machined alloy braking surface, M2cm technology has produced a lighter, stronger, stiffer and yet more comfortable rim than ever possible before. An ICT process Carbon Fiber rim element is hand built and molded inside the precision alloy extrusion in a single seamless procedure. The dissimilar materials are melded into a unified whole that exhibits the best properties of each. There are no shortcuts in this demanding process; what you get is the result of hours of meticulous hand labor married to cutting edge technology.
At 180 grams, the 404 aluminum extrusion achieves a variance of plus or minus 1% in extrusion weight where the best previous industry standard was plus or minus 10% on conventional rims. The result is the lowest rotational rim mass of any alloy clincher available, which means quick acceleration and efficient transfer of power courtesy of lateral stiffness more than double that of any conventional rim.
The reduction in vibration frequency provided by Zipp’s VCLC technology shows that while the 404 clincher rim is nearly half the weight and double the lateral stiffness of an all aluminum box style rim, the 404 clincher rim has a LOWER natural frequency when subjected to vertical inputs. This rim transfers 10.9% less impact force to the rider than the standard aluminum traditional alloy rim and diminishes subsequent remaining vibrations nearly 30% faster. The result is more comfort and improved handling through improved ground contact. Zipp understands that after six hours in the saddle every road seam can feel like the world's largest pothole, so no stone was left unturned as Zipp sought to design the first high frequency suspension system for a road or TT bike.
The 404’s multi-patented rim shape is designed to offer the best aerodynamic performance over the widest range of real world conditions using a range of available tires. After exhaustive testing, the 2005 404 clincher rim surface has yet again been refined to better manage the airflow around the rim, resulting in slightly lower drag numbers without change in lateral stability in even the fiercest cross-winds.
Patent pending ABLC dimpling technology applied to the surface of the rim (700c only) allows air to flow over the rim with a minimum of separation resulting in lower drag. By adding this dimpled surface, one can expect to save 1-3 watts of power.
Also available as a front or rear only--select below. |
Gear
