zipp 303 vs zipp 404

[ivanooze]

so i did a little 303 vs 404 comparison and noticed that the 303s are 5 grams heavier than the 404s despite the 303s being a smaller rim depth.
-the other thing i noticed is that the rear hubs of both models are different.
-the 303 rear hub is a 177 while the 404 rear is a 188v10

-does the hub weight really make that much of a difference despite the different rim depths? or is there another factor i'm not seeing here?

[sitzmark]

Depends on which model year(s) you are comparing. Zipp is in transition with the 404 - model splits in both 2015 and 2016 facilitating the transition:

Firecrest 404 2015 (V9) --> morphing to Firecrest 404 2016 (77/177)
Firestrike 404 2015 (88/188 V10) --> morphing to 404 NSW 2016 (Cognition hubset)

Zipp basically bringing back the ZedTech concept of a "super performance version" (NSW) within each model category.

Don't know the exact hub weights, but yes - very easy for changes in hub to account for 5g. 177 hub is in the 250g range and the 188 was 188ish g in its first iteration. The 404 rim widths are also changing -> wider. 303 firecrest clincher wider than any 404 clincher regardless of model year, so weight not just a function of depth.

so i did a little 303 vs 404 comparison and noticed that the 303s are 5 grams heavier than the 404s despite the 303s being a smaller rim depth.
-the other thing i noticed is that the rear hubs of both models are different.
-the 303 rear hub is a 177 while the 404 rear is a 188v10

-does the hub weight really make that much of a difference despite the different rim depths? or is there another factor i'm not seeing here?

[Blown Reek]

The actual rim weight of the 303s about 30 grams lighter than the 404s.

[ivanooze]

-so due to the 303 being wider than the 404, that would contribute some extra weight as well as the hub being heavier than the 404

-oh and by the way, the wheels i was comparing were the ones advertised on zipp's website which are the firecrest (non-nsw hub)

303 wheelset:
http://zipp.com/wheels/303-firecrest---carbon-clincher/

404 wheelset:
http://www.zipp.com/wheels/404-firestrike----carbon-clincher-limited/

[bloody sunday]

I am running a 303 in the front (with the old 88 hub) and a new 404 in the rear (with the new 177 hub). I like the combo, but will probably switch back as the benefits are in my head.

As far as weight goes, the 303 is wider than the 404.

[gospastic]

-so due to the 303 being wider than the 404, that would contribute some extra weight as well as the hub being heavier than the 404

-oh and by the way, the wheels i was comparing were the ones advertised on zipp's website which are the firecrest (non-nsw hub)

303 wheelset:
http://zipp.com/wheels/303-firecrest---carbon-clincher/

404 wheelset:
http://www.zipp.com/wheels/404-firestrike----carbon-clincher-limited/

You're not comparing similar wheelsets; Firestrike is different than Firecrest. 404 Firecrest clinchers are 1690g, vs 1625g for 303 Firecrest clinchers.

[sitzmark]

Compare this one: http://zipp.com/wheels/404-firecrest---carbon-clincher/#

More apples to apples - 77/177 hubs to 77/177 hubs 1625g (303) vs 1690g (404) The 77/177 hubs are markedly heavier than the 88/188 series, which contributes to making the 2016 base 404 wheelset 60g heavier than 2015.

Your 404 link is to the 2015 404 Firestrike version with 188V10 hubs and Sapim CX-Ray spokes. Your 303 link is to 2016 303 Firecrest with 77/177 hubs and Sapim CX-Sprint spokes which are slightly heavier than CX-Rays. Only NSW versions now have CX-Ray spokes, where previously CX-Ray was standard on all 2015 and earlier Firecrest and toroidal 202/303/404/808/1080 models.

Current 303 Firecrest C rim weight is 500g and the 2010-2016 404 Firecrest C rim weight is 534g. I have not seen a published weight for the wider 404 Firestrike profile (with "showstopper" brake track) that debuted in 2015 and is now branded as 404 NSW.

[ivanooze]

You're not comparing similar wheelsets; Firestrike is different than Firecrest. 404 Firecrest clinchers are 1690g, vs 1625g for 303 Firecrest clinchers.

oh crap good call, i didn't even notice that