Zipp releases New Aero Road Wheelset, the 404 S
Zipp’s new 404 S is the brand’s latest road-focused wheelset, aimed at riders looking for a performance upgrade without moving into top-tier pricing.
It builds on the foundation of the popular 303 S gravel set, but shifts the focus firmly onto paved riding. The headline feature is a 50mm deep rim, using a profile derived from Zipp’s Firecrest design. That puts it in the mid-depth category – balancing aerodynamic gains with ‘manageable’ handling in crosswinds.
Compared to the 303 S, Zipp says the 404 S brings improvements across the board, including aerodynamics and hub performance. The claimed aero gain is around 2 watts, along with ‘competitive efficiency’ against more expensive wheelsets.
A 23mm internal rim width means it’s designed to work best with modern road tyre sizes, supporting anything from 28mm up to around 39mm. The idea here is lower pressures, better rolling resistance and more control across varied road surfaces.
Build-wise, it uses a 20-hole, 2-cross spoke pattern with Sapim CX-Sprint spokes, laced to Zipp’s 76/176 hubset. Response will be quick – there’s 36 points of engagement and the total wheelset weight is claimed at 1565g.
There’s also a choice on the finish – either the more visible white decals seen on pro bikes, or a darker grey option for a more understated look. As with the rest of Zipp’s range, the 404 S is backed by a lifetime warranty and crash replacement policy. //