Zipp 454 NSW Disc Tubular Rear Wheel

Zipp 454 NSW Disc Tubular Rear Wheel Info

The Zipp 454 shape is one that appeals to pro racers as a set that will take care of most of their racing needs, with the exception of time trials and mountain races. So the pro’s asked Zipp to build it in a tubular. And Zipp, as a proud sponsor of race teams, was only too happy to comply. Because they supply wheels for both rim and disc brake frames to their pro teams, this Wheelset is available in both Rim and Disc Brake options

The 454 is the shape they want because it’s 58mm deep when “seen” by a headwind, and much shallower in a crosswind. This thanks to that wavy pattern in the rim shape you can’t help but notice. These are HyperFoil nodes in the SawTooth pattern on the spoke side of the rim, giving the rim a wavy appearance when seen from the side. It’s unlike anything else Zipp has done.

The depth varies between 53 and 58mm, with 26.4mm width just under the tire. The
HyperFoil nodes are clocked to the spokes: 18 on the rim brake front, 24 on all the others. That 5mm difference explains the “5” in 454. By timing the nodes with the spokes, the airflow is better, and the rim lighter and even stronger.

Also clocked with the nodes are the new Hexfin dimple pattern molded into the rim. You’re familiar with the golf-ball style round dimples of rims past. These are hexagonal to create a sharper air break and improve the boundary layer between the rim and the air, keeping the airflow staying closer to the rim for longer. The hexagonal dimples are formed into fin-shaped clusters to further increase the benefits of the HyperFoil nodes.

Putting all the pieces together, the new 454 NSW is lighter and laterally stiffer, and far more aero than its predecessor. Weights are: 640g front and 795g for the rim brake version, and 685g front and 830g rear for the disc brake version.

The finishing touch to the wheels are the ImPress graphics. They print the Zipp logos and the fine stripes directly onto the rim. Thinner, lighter, and don’t interfere with the rim’s aerodynamics.

As should be expected, you can choose between a Campagnolo-compatible 9/10/11-speed cassette body, and a Shimano/SRAM body. You can also pull these bodies and install a SRAM XDR cassette body for even more diversity of applications.

Rim brake version comes with Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads and features Zipp’s ShowStopper brake track for incredible braking in the wet and dry. The Disc version is Centerlock only. The Cognition hubs come as thru-axle and qr compatible: quick release, end caps for 100x15 and 100x12 in front and  142x12 in the back.

The wheels, sold individually, come in a Zipp wheel bag (which can be secured to a second such bag), a Zipp valve extender. The Zipp 454 NSW Tubular Wheelset is pro performance.