IN BRIEF
Zipp is launching the 404 S, 50 mm hookless carbon wheels at €1,100 per set — an unprecedented price for that rim depth in the brand’s range. Rims measure 23 mm internal width (TSS), hubs are the 76/176 with 36 points of engagement, spokes are Sapim CX-Sprint J-bend, and tyre compatibility runs from 28 to 39 mm. The lifetime warranty applies to every version.
| Depth | 50 mm (front and rear) |
| Internal width | 23 mm (hookless, TSS format) |
| Weight | 1,585 g per set (manufacturer’s claim) |
| Spokes | Sapim CX-Sprint J-bend steel, 20 front / 24 rear |
| Hubs | Zipp 76/176 · 36 points of engagement · steel ball bearings |
| Freehub body | HG11 (Shimano/SRAM 10-11-speed) or XDR |
| Tyre compatibility | 28 to 39 mm (optimised for 28 mm) |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Price, full set | 1 100 € (£985 / $1 300) |
Zipp is rounding out its S family with the 404 S, 50 mm carbon wheels priced at €1,100 per set. The brand is positioning an aerodynamic-depth wheel below what the major names usually charge for carbon with a 50 mm rim height.
Zipp 404 S: 50 mm hookless rim, 23 mm internal width
The rim is hookless carbon, 50 mm deep and 23 mm wide internally, in the TSS (Tubeless Straight-Side) format. The hookless design allows a lower maximum pressure than a conventional hooked rim, but it has become the norm on modern high-end wheels. Compatibility runs from 28 to 39 mm tyres, which makes the 404 S usable on the road as well as on light gravel terrain.
Zipp claims 1,585 grams for the pair — a manufacturer’s figure that has yet to be independently verified. The spokes are Sapim CX-Sprint J-bend, aero-profile steel spokes that are more affordable and slightly heavier than the CX-Ray used on the brand’s high-end wheels. The front wheel is built with 20 spokes, the rear with 24.
76/176 hubs: the same as on the 303 S
The 404 S run on Zipp 76 (front) and 176 (rear) hubs, the same as those on the 303 S. These hubs use steel ball bearings and a ratchet system with 36 points of engagement. The freehub body comes in two versions: HG11 for Shimano and SRAM 10-11-speed groupsets, or XDR for SRAM 12-speed builds.
Aero performance and lifetime warranty
Zipp states that the 404 S post lower weighted aerodynamic drag than rivals such as the Roval Rapide CLX, Enve SES 4.5 Pro or Scope Artech 4.A, according to its own internal measurements. Those figures should be taken for what they are: the results of the manufacturer’s in-house testing. What is more objective: the lifetime warranty that comes with the 404 S, which also covers the crash replacement policy.
€1,100: where the wheels sit in Zipp’s S family
At €1,100 per set (£985, $1,300), the 404 S sit above the 303 S while remaining a long way from the NSW and the brand’s premium carbon wheels. The wheels are also available individually. Zipp’s official website gives the full detail of the configurations and per-wheel prices.
