ZIPP WHEELS NSW 454

WORDS: THOMAS OPSTRUP
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES STARTT / THOMAS OPSTRUP

The Zipp NSW 454 carbon rims look radically altered in comparison to Zipp’s previous wheels. Zipp’s engineers have been inspired by nature in an effort to make their wheels even more aerodynamic and stable under windy conditions.

The extraordinary “Sawtooth” design, according to Zipp, makes the wheels more stable in side winds. The round dimples of the surface, similar to those seen on a golf ball, combined with a shark-like surface, further help stabilize wind turbulence around the rim. Zipp calls these “ABLC dimples” and “HexFin” respectively. Previously, Zipp used a similar dimples design, so the new one is the combination of “ABLC dimples” and “HexFin”.

The surface structure has been able to extend all over the side of the rim, as it has been possible to remove the brake surface. The decals are printed into the rim, thereby not interfering with the structure of the surface in the same way that Zipp’s stickers do on previous generations of their wheels. On the other hand, you can’t peel them off if you like a all black wheel. Fortunately, the new decals are not as dominant as the previous Zipp sticker decals were. You could say that they are a bit more stylish.

With disc brakes, of course, you have more braking power and improved modulation in all weather conditions. In my view, this is a special advantage on decends and of course in the rain they are simply in a different legue from rim brakes. I have tested the wheels on various descents, and especially on the very long one from Etna, with the disc brakes, you use far less force, making you less tired in the neck, back and shoulders.

With a weight of approx. 1615 grams and a rim depth of 53/58 (varying due to the design), I think it is first and foremost a wheel set suitable for flatter routes. I tested them on the 1994 World Cup route in Agrigento, Sicily. Around the temple valley there are a number of flat open windy roads. For a wheelset with a rim depth of 53/58 mm. it surprised me how stable they were even in strong crosswinds. It’s by far the best deep section carbon wheels I’ve ever tested in crosswinds.

I have also been riding hard intervals on the climb up to Forza D´Agro just north of Taormina. Previous Zipp Carbon wheels have been too soft for my taste, so when I accelerated, the former generation Zipp wheels hit the brakes all the time when you stand up pushing on the climbs. But the new 454 NSW Zipp has definitively more stiffness to them.

The riding characteristics are still a recognizable “Zipp” feel, but when I have accelerated standing on the climb, they “respond” with a well-balanced stiffness. By this I mean that they are not rigid as a board, but are well balanced between stiffness and comfort. It should be said that I tested them with Zipp’s own Tangente Course R28. It 28 mm. tires, which can contribute to much of the comfort experienced. The 28 mm. tires seems like the perfect choice for these wheels.

The widest point of the rim is 27.72 mm, and at the outer edge – what we would normally call the brake surface – they are 26.4 mm.  So the 25 and 28 mm. tires seems like the perfect choice for these wheels which both improves rolling resistance, provides better grip and comfort, as well as better aerodynamics, on wide rims such as the Zipp 454 NSW compared to more narrow tires like 23 mm.

ZIPP HUBS

Zipp’s new hub was, according to them, designed with their “Axial-clutch” design, which according to Zipp gives less resistance in the hub when freewheeling compared to a traditional “clutch” design. It’s incredibly difficult to give feedback on, the only thing I can say about the hub is that it works perfectly. It rolls well, smooth freewheeling, and grabs quickly when stepping on the pedals. I don’t know how durable the hubs are, since I’ve only been testing the wheels for 4 weeks.

SPOKES

The spokes are, as always, the Sapim CX-Ray J-bend, which in my view is high quality spokes that all my own wheels are build with. Relatively light and aerodynamic, lasts long, and looks good in anodized black.

Zipp has designed a super wheel. The look can be debated. Personally, I don’t think they are an aesthetic pleasure, but as often when someone comes up with a completely new design, it takes time for people to embrace it – only time will tell. I think we’re going to see many 454 NSW mounted on aerobikes, because that’s where they really excel – high speed, flat roads and crosswinds.

Buy the wheels here