First Look: Zipp 404 NSW Wheels

Zipp gives the skunkworks treatment to its most popular wheel

The 404 NSW may be a high performance, high end wheel, but it's still safe to use every day and get dirty
Matt Phillips

Back in October, Zipp unveiled its Nest Speed Weaponry (NSW) program with the launch of the 808 NSW wheels. ‘Nest’ is the nickname of the research and development area inside Zipp’s factory in Indianapolis. It’s where all the new products get imagined and developed, which is why I’m not allowed within 10 feet of the door when I visit. The NSW label is applied to products with Zipp’s latest features and technologies, which may, or may not, trickle down to the company’s standard products.

The 404 NSW was born from the 404 Firestrike
Matt Phillips

The latest wheelset to get the NSW treatment is Zipp’s most popular wheelset: the 404 clincher. In a way, it was a 404 wheelset that kicked off this whole NSW program. In June of 2014, the company released the 404 Firestrike. It sat beside the standard 404 Firecrest, but introduced new features and technologies to the Zipp line. In May 2015, the 404 Firestrike was updated, and turned into a limited product run (404 sets were made). NSW formalizes and clarifies the tinkering Zipp was doing with the 404 Firestrike: Essentially, these are Zipp’s skunkworks products, available to the public.

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The 404 NSW replaces 404 Firestrike. The rim depth is 58mm, but was tweaked to reduce the NSW’s side force—how much it's affected by crosswinds—by 34 percent compared to the Firecrest. Reducing the side force means the wheel feels less twitchy and more predictable.

Printed graphics lets the new dimple pattern do its job
Matt Phillips

Some of the reduction in side force comes, surprisingly, from the graphics. The NSW’s graphics are not stickers, but printed on the rim. Zipp has always touted the benefits of its dimpled rim surface, which is why it was curious that the stickers the company was using covered and filled in many of those dimples. The printed graphics don’t mess with the indentations, which, “help allow the dimples to do what they were designed to do,” and save a bit of weight also.

The arrangement of the dimples is called ABLC Sawtooth, and it’s where Zipp really unleashes the jargony-jargon. To sum it up, short and simple: Improved dimple design and placement reduce drag and improve stability.

The Showstopper brake track gives the 404 NSW impressive wet-weather braking performance
Matt Phillips

Zipp’s Showstopper brake track debuted with the 404 Firestrike, so it’s no surprise they're found on the 404 NSW. In an effort to improve wet-weather braking, Zipp molds in a scalloped pattern, then tops it with silicon carbide.

The 404's rear hub uses magnets to disengage the drive mechanism and reduce drag for faster freewheeling

Carried over from the 808 NSW is the Cognition hub set. The showpiece here is what Zipp calls the Axial Clutch: When coasting, the magnetic drive mechanism disengages to reduce drag, which potentially results in some free speed. It’s also very quiet (more on this below). Pedal, and 36 points engage—“there isn’t a more secure freehub mechanism on the market,” Zipp’s propaganda claims. Zipp will offer three driver bodies: Shimano/SRAM 11-speed (10-speed compatible), SRAM XD for 10-42 cassettes, and Campagnolo.

The scalloped flange is supposed to improve bearing fit and performance
Matt Phillips

Both the front and rear hubs use 17mm axles, and flange shapes are claimed to improve bearing fit so that, “bearings quietly stay in place, roll faster, last longer, and provide a laterally stiffer hub.” The bearings are stainless steel, and preload is factory set and not adjustable. Claimed hub weights are 110 grams up front, and 225 grams rear.

Bearing preload is preset at the factory and not adjustable
Matt Phillips

The 404s are never going to be climbing-wheel light, but Zipp was able to carve out a bit of weight compared to the 404 Firestrike. On my scale, the NSWs came in at 1558 grams (claimed weight is 1555 grams), 86 grams less than the 404 Firestrike (also on my scale).

The 404 NSW is available this month, and sells for $3100. It's an expensive wheel set, but $500 less expensive than the 404 Firestrike, though the Firestrike comes with CeramicSpeed bearings. The 404 Firecrest ($2100) remains in Zipp’s line alongside the 404 NSW. The 404 Firestrike is still shown on Zipp's website, but is no longer available.

The 404 NSW measures 27.8mm at its widest point, 26.44 at the brake track, and 17.25mm internally
Matt Phillips

The 404 NSW is not a limited edition; Zipp will make as many as they can sell. Only a clincher version is available for now.

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Zipp sent me a set of the 404 NSW a few days before the announcement, and I was able to get some limited miles on the new wheels.

The clutch is immediately noticeable because it’s nearly silent when coasting, though the deep carbon rims still whoosh loud enough to be heard over the wind. There may be a drag reduction, but I found the effect was hardly evident. I did ride flatter terrain, however; maybe when the snow clears and I can get on the high passes near me it will be more obvious.

The front wheel has a directional arrow to help you properly orient the brake track
Matt Phillips

The brake track is fantastic: I was riding through a good amount of snow runoff, and the braking power was excellent, though a bit of modulation seems to have been sacrificed. The brake track is also loud: There's no squeal, but there is a lot of friction noise. The rear hub may be quieter, but it is more than made up by brake noise.

Hourglass-shaped front hub
Matt Phillips

I found the wheels were very stable and predictable; so much that I never thought about them, or noticed them in the wind. However, I ride with deep wheels a lot, and often with deeper wheels than these, so I’m used to the feel. However, my sense is that the NSW is one of the least-dramatic deep wheels you can ride in the wind.

Tubes and a set of customized Silca valve extenders are included with the wheels. The gray rubber sleeve prevents the valves from rattling against the rim
Matt Phillips

As stated, this wheel will never be a weight champion, so you don't experience the ethereality of a climbing wheel. The NSWs feel reasonably quick; enough that they don’t deaden a nice lively bike. It’s dangerous to comment on aerodynamics based on seat-of-the-pants observations, but riding these wheels on sections of road I’ve traversed on many wheel sets, they do have that ‘a little bit faster, a little bit more easily’ feel. At the very least, you feel like you’re getting some aerodynamic gain from these wheels.

The 404 NSW is available soon, and sells for $3100

Lateral stiffness is very good, though I’m no brute. As I’ve experienced from the current crop of Zipp wheels, the NSW rides great: compliant and smooth enough that it makes bikes ride more nicely.

Like the 404 Firestrike, the 404 NSW is high end wheelset that claims exceptional performance, but its most exceptional trait may be how good it is as an everyday wheel set.

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