The wide tyre trend shows no sign of abating, as Zipp has raised the maximum tyre width on three of its wheelsets – clearing the 353 NSW and 303 SW for gravel tyres and the 202 NSW for cyclocross. The 353 NSW now takes tyres up to 49mm, the 303 SW up to a massive 55mm and the 202 NSW up to 35mm.
The 353 NSW sees the biggest change. Zipp previously listed it for 29–35mm tyres and said it was not approved for gravel riding. The wheel is still aerodynamically optimised for a 30mm road tyre, on an undulating 35/40mm rim with ceramic-bearing ZR1 SL hubs, but its upper limit is now 14mm wider.
The 303 SW was already sold as a mixed-surface wheel. Its range has gone from a versatile 30–44mm to a 55mm maximum – putting it amongst the widest non-MTB wheels on the market. It has a 40mm-deep rim with a 25mm internal width and a claimed weight of 1,440g. The 202 NSW, Zipp's lightest wheelset at a claimed 1,090g, moves from a 32mm limit to 35mm.
The 353 NSW and 303 SW both have Zipp's integrated AXS wheel sensor, which sends real-time tyre-pressure readings to a bike computer without an external device mounted to the valve stem.
Zipp said the change followed repeated requests from its athletes and teams and intensive testing. The announcement does not introduce new models, but is instead an update of the existing range.
What it means for a one-wheelset setup
The new limits are wider than most road frames can fit. The fifth-generation Trek Domane, for example, tops out at 40mm. Tyre sizes are measured at the widest point, including the tread lugs, and typically adventurous wide-tyre fans sometimes squeeze in a few extra millimetres beyond the stated limit, sacrificing room for mud and debris.
All three wheelsets use hookless rims, also known as TSS (Tubeless Straight Side). Zipp's compatibility guide requires tyres specifically approved for this rim type, with TSS compatibility marked on the sidewall or packaging. Fitting an inner tube does not change that, as our tubeless and inner tube guide explains.
Zipp caps system pressure at 5 bar (72psi). Pressure limits for gravel-width tyres sit well below that.
The 303 SW now overlaps with dedicated gravel wheels. Roval's Terra Aero CLX, which uses a hooked rim, takes 35–60mm tyres and is optimised for 45mm.
Cyclocross racers get less from the 202 NSW update, which is likely because the UCI caps cyclocross tyres at 33mm. The extra 2mm width will have to be enjoyed purely in training.
