Zipp 454 NSW
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Zipp 454 NSW
Hot off the press
Zipp 454 NSW wheels take design cues from whales | VeloNews.com
Do we need them? OF COURSE NOT.
The question is, how fugly do we think they're are... and do we want them regardless?
Zipp 454 NSW wheels take design cues from whales | VeloNews.com
Do we need them? OF COURSE NOT.
The question is, how fugly do we think they're are... and do we want them regardless?
Last edited by nycphotography; 11-03-16 at 03:22 PM.
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#3
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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.
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.
Love it.
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I found I was spending $4k on a set of wheels, I would want them to atleast look good.
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Not available in disc?
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Sounds neato. Still prefer Enve SES 4.5 AR.
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Myself, at this point, having ridden a few different wheelsets, I would want to test ride a couple different wheelsets for comparison before dropping 3 large.
I yanked my dv46's for the Hincapie Fondo, putting my old old old Rolf Prima Elans back on... and was suprised by how agile the Rolf's feel.
They're fun to ride.
So I'm rethinking wheels for next year. Maybe a set of Boyd 28's. But I want to ride a set to see how they feel.
I yanked my dv46's for the Hincapie Fondo, putting my old old old Rolf Prima Elans back on... and was suprised by how agile the Rolf's feel.
They're fun to ride.
So I'm rethinking wheels for next year. Maybe a set of Boyd 28's. But I want to ride a set to see how they feel.
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They sure look different, maybe give them a go in the 2017 Hincapie Fondo! They'll be on sale by then, when the next "new thing" comes out.
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No crabon clinchers allowed at Hicapie's Gran Fondo. I think there was a whole thread about it a few weeks ago.
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To run these, I'd have to be seriously be much faster than I am.
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reality is that they werent pulling riders with zipps so i could have ridden them. reality is also that they are fairly old wheels and nobody was even thinking about high temp resins back then, so better safe than sorry.
that said, if i have newer high temp carbon clinchers next year i wont hesitate to use them. but the skyuka descent was pretty tough on braking so i probably wouldnt use older fab or open mold wheels.
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Another advantage is on Pinarello's, they make the fork look okay.
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At this price, they should have been tubeless-ready as well.
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I'm going to stare at the pic and hope it works for me. We just did testing for our indoor offseason training last night and I could use any watts I can find for free.