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FEATURES: SEA OTTER TECH: FIRST RIDE ON ZIPP 101 WHEELS
Philip Booth
April 16, 2010
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Zipp is best known for their aerodynamic carbon fiber wheels and for years has been on the leading edge of wheel design with toroidal rim profiles and dimpled rim surfaces. Zipp’s carbon wheel line runs the gauntlet from their super deep 1080s all they way down to their lightweight 202 climbing wheels that Carlos Sastre used to win the 2008 Tour de France. Last year at Sea Otter, Zipp unveiled their sturdy 303 wheels, which are designed for the Classics and cyclocross racers. The 303s had an incredibly successful year, dominating the US cyclocross scene, showing strong in the classics and finding favor with a wide range of riders.
With so much success on the carbon front, Zipp has turned their attention to the aluminum wheel market and rolled out the new Zipp 101s for 2010. While the wheels debuted at Eurobike last year, production models have just recently started to reach shops and Road Bike Action was invited along for a first ride at Sea Otter.
TECH
Developed in the wind tunnel, Zipp made a major effort to incorporate their carbon knowledge into the 101s. The 101s utilize several of Zipp’s aero technologies including a 30-millimeter deep, full toroidal rim constructed from 7000-series aluminum with external nipples. A 24.5-millimeter rim width maintains the 101s aerodynamic properties with larger tires, but can also be used with tires as narrow as 21-millimeters. The wider rim is also designed to improve lateral stiffness, and add stability for precise handling on rough roads. Zipp rounds out the 101s with Zipp 88 front and 188 rear hubs. The front uses 18 radially laced aero bladed spokes, while the rear uses 20 aero bladed spokes radially laced drive side and 2-cross non-drive side. The 101s are hand built in Zipp’s facility in Speedway, Indiana and weigh 1484-grams.
THE RIDE
For the Zipp 101 test ride, Zipp set us up with a 2008 Cervélo S3 Olympic edition complete with SRAM Red, and Zipp VumQuad crankset. For tires, Zipp wrapped the 101s with their own Tangente clinchers. While our time on the 101s was limited, the area around Laguna Seca is ideal for putting wheels through their paces. The area is made up of short, steep climbs, rolling hills and fast descents. Having become accustom to Zipp’s carbon offerings, and the rims having an almost identical profile to the 202s, we were unsure what to expect. Out on the road the 101’s feel fast and roll smooth. Their smooth ride is more characteristic of box section rims than aero profiled versions and give the bike a racy feel without being harsh. These characteristics carry over to handling as they are hardly effected by crosswinds and track well in corners with no wheel drift. Tipping the scales at 1484-grams, the 101s are comparable to most other high-end aluminum wheels and despite weighing more than their carbon counterparts, they accelerate well and feel lighter than their actual weight. Once up to speed, the Zipp 101s keep their momentum and cut through the wind like deeper section aero wheels. Braking performance was solid and predicable.
First impressions are good. The Zipp 101s are fast, comfortable and handle well. Zipp has successfully taken their carbon technology and applied it to a race ready aluminum clincher that can perform at the highest level.
PRICE: $1300.00
INFO: www.zipp.com |
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