Zipp’s new 454 NSW Carbon Clincher is radical by design, evolutionary by nature. In the natural world, creatures are honed over generations to achieve a competitive edge within their environment. The result of this natural design process is adaptation − new shapes and forms that achieve a higher degree of efficiency and control.
Utilizing the principles of the emerging science of biomimicry, Zipp engineers studied the environment around them for instances of how nature solved similar problems of speed, control, and efficiency for the next generation of Zipp wheels. Think of a humpback whale’s fast but graceful movements thanks to the special features on the leading edge of its pectoral fins, or the unique micro texture of a shark’s skin, which gives it the ability to glide effortlessly through the water. These structures inspired Zipp advanced development engineers to, for the first time, systematically apply biomimicry to solve the complex challenge of designing a wheel that reduces both aerodynamic drag and side force.
The most visually striking and functionally important innovation in the handcrafted 454 NSW is Sawtooth™. This patented new biomimetic 53/58mm-deep rim shape achieves something conventional aero wheels cannot; it simultaneously reduces both aerodynamic drag and side force for the ultimate in AeroBalance™. Sawtooth™ accomplishes this with a series of patented fin-shaped Hyperfoil™ nodes along the inner diameter of the rim that work together with our new HexFin™ ABLC dimples for improved airflow. The result is Zipp’s highest performing wheelset ever realized with wind tunnel proven aero-drag reduction and reduced side force at all wind yaw angles. This is important because higher wind yaw angles are where bike handling is most affected by the wind.
The 454 NSW’s undulating Sawtooth™ rim architecture with HyperFoils™ represents the next evolution of the Sawtooth™ ABLC dimple technology found on all of Zipp’s NSW wheels. The HyperFoils™ and HexFin™ ABLC dimples help to stabilize handling in gusting wind by increasing wind vortex shedding frequency. Lower frequency shedding produces larger, more powerful vortices. In cycling terms, this unstable situation is often referred to as “buffeting.” The higher frequency vortex shedding produced by Sawtooth™ creates a greater number of smaller, less powerful, yet more predictable vortices leading to greater wheel stability.
This added stability translates into greater rider control, thereby saving energy that is typically expended trying to hold a line in gusting wind. The result is a faster, more confident riding experience whether you are laying down power or descending sinuous mountain roads. Providing extra confidence, Zipp’s industry leading Carbon Clincher technology is durable and reliable, with no heat-related failures.
The 454 NSW also features our industry leading silicon carbide Showstopper™ brake track that allows you to brake later with more stopping power and greater control regardless of weather conditions or the length of the descent. Zipp’s ImPress™ NSW graphics technology, which prints graphics directly onto the rim, reduces weight and helps the HexFin™ ABLC dimples to do their aerodynamic job while elevating the wheel’s visual allure to new heights.
BEYOND THE RIM SHAPE
Making use of our NSW-exclusive Cognition™ hubset, 454 NSW® rolls efficiently whether you are pedaling or coasting. Our Axial Clutch™ technology allows the freehub’s ratcheting mechanism to deliver half the mechanical drag of conventional three pawl hubs. Assembled with Swiss bearings made to our exacting specifications, the Cognition™ hubset is as robust as it is fast.
Each Indianapolis-made 454 NSW® rim requires 12 hours to create and represents a true blending of hand craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing techniques. After each rim is laid up, molded, drilled, printed, and inspected, every wheel is assembled and tensioned entirely by hand in Indianapolis. 454 NSW® rims are laced to our Portuguese-made Cognition hubs using Belgian Sapim® CX-Ray spokes and Secure Lock nipples for unmatched performance and reliability that is made to last.
This is the shape of things to come. This is 454 NSW®.
Technologies of ZIPP 454 NSW:
Showstopper™
Showstopper™ is a complimenting pairing of a directional, molded-in, texture with silicon carbide particles suspended in the surface resin.
ImPress™
Zipp has employed the ImPress™ graphics technology, which prints graphics directly on the wheel, to help allow the dimples to do what they were design to do – help control vortex shedding, the rate at which air sheds off the wheel. Managing this is crucial to stability. ImPress graphics also give NSW a distinctive stealthy look.
SawTooth™
SawTooth™ is the name given to Zipp NSW’s patented variable depth 53/58mm rims. Developed utilizing the principles of the emerging science of biomimicry, Zipp engineers began the rigorous aero development process of SawTooth™ utilizing the wind tunnel, CFD, and real-world testing. The result is a rim shape that takes nature’s most elegant design solutions and combines engineering precision to deliver a wheel that performs unlike any made before.
This patented new rim shape achieves something conventional aero wheels cannot; it simultaneously reduces both aerodynamic drag and side force for the ultimate in AeroBalance™. Sawtooth™ accomplishes this with a series of patented fin-shaped Hyperfoil™ nodes along the inner diameter of the rim that work together with our new HexFin™ ABLC dimples for improved airflow. The result is Zipp’s highest performing wheelset ever realized with both aero-drag reduction and reduced side force at all wind yaw angles. This is important because higher wind yaw angles are where bike handling is most affected by the wind.
Hyperfoil™
Hyperfoil™ is the name given to the individual nodes on Zipp NSW variable depth Sawtooth™ rims. Each of these patented structures features the HexFin™ ABLC dimples that help to stabilize handling in gusting wind by increasing wind vortex shedding frequency. The higher frequency vortex shedding produced by Sawtooth™ creates a greater number of smaller, less powerful, yet more predictable vortices leading to greater wheel stability. This added stability translates into greater rider control, thereby saving energy that is typically expended trying to hold a line in gusting wind. The result is a faster, more confident riding experience whether you are laying down power or descending sinuous mountain roads.
HexFin™ ABLC dimples
HexFin™ ABLC dimples are the hexagonally shaped depressions found at each Hyperfoil™ of our Sawtooth™ shaped NSW rims. The angular shape of each dimple increases boundary layer mixing to help keep airflow attached to the rim for reduced aerodynamic drag and improved stability in crosswinds. To further improve the effectiveness of the hexagonal dimples, they are arranged in fin-shaped clusters made up of variable sized dimples that work in concert with each Hyperfoil™ of a Sawtooth™ rim.
Each Wheel Includes:
Zipp Tangente titanium black skewer
Zipp valve extender by Silca®
Zipp individual wheel bag
Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads
Zipp Tangente tube 700c x 20-28mm
Zipp rim tape 700c x 20mm
Technical note: Requires special brake pads for carbon rims.
Recommended and approved brake pads for zipp Carbon wheels:
Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro Evo Brake Pad
Zipp Tangente High Performance Cork Brake Pad
Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro (first version Tangente pad)
SwissStop® Black Prince pad
Bontrager cork pads
Zipp carbon/carbon pads
SwissStop® yellow pads
Material: rim: carbon
spokes: stainless steel
Weight: approx. 1525 gram (manufacturer's specs, per pair)
(front: approx. 690 gram | rear: approx. 835 gram)
Rim: X454NSW
Rim height: 53/58 mm
external/internal rim width: inner: 17 mm
external: 26.4 mm (brake track) | 27.8 mm (max.)
E.T.R.T.O.: 17-622
Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray
Nipples: Sapim Secure Lock
Spokes number: FW: 18 (radial)
RW: 24 (2x crossed)
Hub axle system: FW: 100 mm QR
RW: 130 mm QR
Fitting type of tire: clincher / wire bead / folding tire
Maximum tire pressure: 125 psi (8.6 bar)
Purpose: triathlon, time trial, competition
hub: Zipp Cognition
Fitting for shifting: Shimano/SRAM 10/11-speed
Campagnolo
Max. permissible total weight
(rider + bike): 113 kg
Included in delivery: wheelset, Platinum Pro Evo brake pads, titanium quick releases, valve extenders, wheelbags, tubes 700c, rimtape
