Zipp 303S vs Zipp 404

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Roboos
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:45 am

by Roboos

Hi everybody!

I'm looking to buy a set of carbon wheels for my Sworks SL6 Disc for the new season. I waited this season out a bit to see where the tech is going, I was a bit unsure about going tubeless but now that GP5000 TL arrived I'm ready to jump ship (I love my clincher GP5000 28mm).

A bit of background: I do around 3k km outside per season (but going up each season :) ) and live in a very flat part of Poland. I don't race, I mostly do spirited rides with my friends/ solo. I was interested in Zipp 303S as they are very competitively priced, but my question is if you think the additional aero benefit of 404 is worth it? The 404 are 60-70% more expensive...

by Weenie


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Nickldn
Posts: 1867
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:35 am

by Nickldn

Would say that 303S is a wheel for mixed road and gravel riding with 28mm+ tyres, but the 404 is targeted to be a pure road wheelset for 25mm and tyres.

So I guess the answer depends on:

a) what sort of riding you do, road and gravel riding or road only, and

b) if your local roads are good enough for 25mm tyres, or if you feel better on 28mm.

I don't remember the roads in Poland being particularly great and 28mm tyres may appeal your that reason, but that was a long time ago and things may have changed.

Aero is gonna be better on the 404 at say 35kmh+, but if you are looking for good aero then you may want a 55mm-60mm deep wheelset.
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg

Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg

SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress

yingyu
Posts: 87
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:16 am

by yingyu

Nickldn wrote:
Sun Nov 07, 2021 2:50 pm
Aero is gonna be better on the 404 at say 35kmh+, but if you are looking for good aero then you may want a 55mm-60mm deep wheelset.
404 wheels are 58mm-deep so they should fit the bill. Another consideration is cross-wind stability, which depends on wind conditions and rider weight.

Nickldn
Posts: 1867
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:35 am

by Nickldn

yingyu wrote:
Sun Nov 07, 2021 10:50 pm
Nickldn wrote:
Sun Nov 07, 2021 2:50 pm
Aero is gonna be better on the 404 at say 35kmh+, but if you are looking for good aero then you may want a 55mm-60mm deep wheelset.
404 wheels are 58mm-deep so they should fit the bill. Another consideration is cross-wind stability, which depends on wind conditions and rider weight.
Ah yes, for some reason I thought they 404s were 50mm!
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg

Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg

SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress

AJS914
Posts: 5397
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

Roboos wrote:
Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:04 pm
I was interested in Zipp 303S as they are very competitively priced, but my question is if you think the additional aero benefit of 404 is worth it? The 404 are 60-70% more expensive...
No! You answered your question right there. Unless you are sprinting for the win at a major race, the tiny bit of extra aero isn't worth the $$$.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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bruno2000
Posts: 1289
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:11 pm

by bruno2000

404 suppose to be 100gr lighter...if that is important to you?
I have a set of 303S wheels and 303 firecrest (both latest generation with hookless rims).
My idea was to put the 303S in my Cannondale SuperSix evo and the 303 firecrest in my Sworks Aethos.
Now I'm in doubt as visually the 303 firecrest are better for the Cannondale. And I was wondering if the 404 might be a good fit witht he Aethos.
(I know it's stupid as I'm just after the visual effects)

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