Introducing the Zipp 3ZERO MOTO Wheel Series

Zipp is a brand more commonly associated with deep-dish carbon wheel sets and outrageous prices, but today they've taken the jump into the MTB market with an all-new wheelset. Promising better compliance, and integrated tech with the Quarq TyreWiz, it's a bold take on something every bike has. Check out the details from Zipp after the break.

MOTO INSPIRED. CONTROL + DURABILITY = SPEED

Zipp’s new 3ZERO MOTO carbon 27.5 and 29 enduro/trail wheelset is inspired by moto to provide riders with the control and durability required for pure speed.

INSPIRATION FROM MOTO. PROGRESSION FROM INDY.

Moto remains a powerful source of inspiration for good reason. Based in the racing hotbed of Indianapolis, Zipp for more than three decades has used motorsports as an inspiration to develop pioneering carbon cycling innovations. Our single-wall approach, what we call Moto Technology™, allows the rims to “pivot” from either side of the spoke bed while traversing rough terrain. As the wheel encounters obstacles, each edge of the rim is designed for compliance, creating the feel of extra suspension. For the rider that means durability and control for greater speed:

• Higher impact resistance
• Reduced chance of pinch flatting
• More traction in rough corners
• Smoother ride in rocky terrain
• Ability to run lower tire pressure
• Reduced rider fatigue

TESTED BY THE WORLD’S FASTEST

For the last two years we’ve had prototypes and successive versions of the 3ZERO MOTO under the fastest riders in the world. Enduro MTB rider Adrien Dailly raced them to their first EWS podium in France, and enduro legend Jérôme Clementz recorded the first win in New Zealand. With their help, plus reams of honest feedback from our test riders, we’ve arrived at the transformation of the mountain bike wheel for the speed-obsessed.

Our test riders are saying they have a lot less fatigue and arm pump and are not feeling vibrations of trail coming up through the handlebars. “Those wheels feel like I have an extra inch of travel,” Clementz said. This isn’t just on-the-trail marketing. It’s Zipp’s product development protocol. We test concepts for all riding styles, from those who are super smooth to those who may just case a jump now and then.

STIFFNESS: PERCEPTION VS. REALITY

While other wheel brands limit their focus to traditional box-section rim designs, Zipp engineers—uninhibited by legacy technology—wiped the white board clean. All the best ideas eventually pointed to motorsports inspiration and Moto technology’s single-wall rim as the optimal approach for an enduro/trail wheelset. The 3ZERO MOTO’s stiffness, compliance and durability comes from Zipp’s proprietary process to design and assemble rim, hub, and spokes. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheel is built as a system, its ZM1 hubset and 32 spokes and handmade carbon rim all integrate to play key roles in performance. Look at a cross section of the 3ZERO MOTO and you can see the difference right away. It’s a quantum jump from the typical and limiting box-section design that bicycle wheels have always used–our moto-inspired design allows the fastest trail riders on earth to fly over the roughest terrain imaginable with speed and control like never before.

HOW IT WORKS:

Lateral stiffness — In a sharp turn, the rim remains stiff, providing confidence that the wheel is firmly planted. Zipp’s wide hub flanges provide better spoke-bracing angles which help to increase the lateral stiffness.

Torsional windup — When torque is applied to the rear hub when pedalling, you don’t want the spokes to create a spring-like flex sapping your wattage. Having 32 spokes at the right tensions keep the wheel constrained during windup, meaning the energy in your legs is efficiently transferred to your rear wheel.

Radial compliance — When you hit a rock, the system is designed to act as a shock absorber. Zipp’s MOTO Technology allows the rim to flex, which absorbs the impact energy and spreads it away from the impact zone for increased durability. In essence, more of the rim carries the load from the impact.

“Ankle” compliance — Imagine a runner rounding a sharp turn, the ankle naturally flexing to maintain grip as the runner leans. The rim can locally flex to stay parallel to the ground during cornering, which increases traction much like a human ankle. This ability to twist locally allows it to deflect during single bead impacts without the rider getting bounced off line.

Durability and ride quality — 3ZERO MOTO rim strength exceeded our expectations for impact resistance due to MOTO Technology compliance. As for ride quality, the wheel also deflected three times more than top rival box-section carbon wheels. That extra compliance behaves like extra suspension, but it also spreads the impact energy over a larger area. This also benefits the rider in the form of pinch flat prevention.

The benefits of all that are simple. More control. Fewer line deviations. Greater durability. Fewer pinch flats. The net gain? Pure speed.

TRANSFORM YOUR RIDE WITH PRECISE PRESSURE

In enduro, 2 to 4 psi one way or the other can greatly influence speed, comfort and traction. Now, you have real-time tire pressure data thanks to the integration of Quarq’s TyreWiz™ in every 3ZERO MOTO wheel. TyreWiz is the world’s first AXS app-based tire-pressure monitoring device. It shows riders exactly what pressure their tires are at through their smartphone or head unit with ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy radio capabilities. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheelset includes TyreWiz as a standard integrated feature*, helping riders dial-in precise and optimal pressure for every trail condition. TyreWiz syncs the data, using the AXS app, it tracks with extremely accurate sensors that deliver + or – 2% pressure accuracy, all the way down to 0 psi.

*For rim-only sales, TyreWiz is available separately for $200 per set

LIFETIME WARRANTY

We are that confident in the durability that MOTO Technology provides. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheelset or rim includes a lifetime warranty for product issues that happen during your gnarliest Trail or Enduro use.*

*Product registration required. Original owner only, non-transferable. Proof of purchase required. Covers defects in materials or workmanship. Rim damage is covered in indented use situations (Trail/Enduro). Neglect and misuse are not covered. ‘Life Happens’ Pricing Structure for situations where warranty does not cover the damage

FRUSTRATION-FREE TIRE INSTALLATION

We all know what it can be like trying to stretch new tires over certain wheels. And with the added complexity that comes when also trying to install a tire insert, the process can get the better of even the strongest or most skilled. That is why the 3ZERO MOTO has been designed to make this process as easy as possible. No tools or help from friends are needed thanks to a rim profile and spoke-bed strip designed to make mounting and airing up tubeless tires the way it should be: Dead simple.

WANT JUST THE RIMS? YOU GOT IT

We believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the 3ZERO MOTO complete wheelset embodies this philosophy. But we’re also offering the option to purchase 3ZERO MOTO rims alone. We realize there are many hub choices on the market today, riders have particular preferences or arrangements—3ZERO MOTO rims can be part of myriad possible custom-build combinations.

FULLY PINNED AESTHETICS

We find structures that deliver unrivaled performance to be the most beautiful. Indeed, beyond its performance function, our carbon layup pattern also has a form factor that looks as sweet as it works. Add to this our new Speed Line™ graphics in your choice of 8 colors, and you’ve got a wheel with high performance aesthetics.

EACH WHEELSET INCLUDES:

• Speed Line™ Graphics – choice of 8 colors (Silver, Stealth, RS Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Teal or Blue)
• TyreWiz™ – Integrated tire pressure monitoring system
• Tubeless valve – factory installed
• Tubeless rim tape – factory installed
• ZM1 hub with Double Time™ Technology provides 52 points of engagement
• End caps: 15/110 front and 12/148 rear (Front wheel includes 21mm Standard and 31mm RockShox® Torque Caps)
  

EACH RIM-ONLY INCLUDES:

• Speed Line™ Graphics – choice of 8 colors (Silver, Stealth, RS Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Teal or Blue)
• Tubeless valve
• Rim strip and tubeless rim tape
• Washers

WHEELSET MSRP: $ 1999 / € 2099 / £1875
RIM-ONLY MSRP: $ 700 / € 750 / £ 670
RETAIL AVAILABILITY: April 2019