Zipp, Bontrager, Fulcrum, DT Swiss, Easton, Stan's NoTubes and e*13
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Zipp has adapted its Firecrest rim shape concept to the versatile 303 for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp also offers this textured bar tape for 2012 that looks similar to Arundel's Gecko Grip model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's new Red Power XL mountain bike wheels feature milled rims for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's deepest offering for 2012 is the aluminum-and-carbon Red Wind XLR 105mm - and it's also offered in a tubeless-compatible version.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's Red Wind XLR CX wheelset is essentially the same as the standard Red Wind XLR but with heavier-duty hub seals.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Front hubs on Fulcrum's Red Wind series use straightforward aluminum shells and straight-pull spokes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum will offering the Red Wind wheels in both standard and tubeless-compatible versions - we'd recommend the latter.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Red Wind XLR is the lightest in Fulcrum's new aluminum-and-carbon road wheelset range.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Fulcrum Red Wind XLR 80mm weighs 1,770g per pair.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's Red Wind series still uses the company's Two-to-One rear lacing pattern.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Fulcrum Red Power XL is a new model for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's Red Power SL range essentially replaces last year's Red Metal 5.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton is keen to point out that its new EA90 RT wheelset isn't just Road Tubeless-compatible but Road Tubeless-certified.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's cranks will be offered in the new subdued graphics pattern for 2012, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum has also revamped its quick-release skewers for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's top-end Racing Speed XLR 80 wheels use carbon bodied hubs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's Racing Speed XLR 80 wheels are offered in two color schemes for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fulcrum's upper-end mountain bike wheels are unchanged for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Fulcrum Red Carbon XRP mountain bike wheels use heavily machined spoke flanges.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Red Metal 29 XL remains Fulcrum's top-end 29er wheelset for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Stan's NoTubes had revamped its popular Arch rim design for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new Stan's NoTubes ZTR Arch EX rim is 20g lighter than the previous version.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp's new Service Course C and CSL bars feature a slightly flattened top.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp has pushed the non-driveside bearing outward by 7.5mm on the latest 303 Firecrest wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
This rendering illustrates the progression of Zipp 303 rim shapes over the years, starting with the hybrid toroidal at far right, the full toroidal, and now the two new Firecrest shapes at left.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new Zipp SLSpeed seatpost head is designed such that most saddle rails can slip in from the side without completely undoing the bolts.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The snap-on cover on Zipp's new SLSpeed carbon fiber seatpost lends a finished look but also holds the barrel nuts in place if you need to completely unscrew one of the bolts.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp has added zero-offset options for its aluminum seatposts for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp's new SLSpeed seatpost (right) offers up a carbon fiber shaft and 185g weight for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Yep, Zipp offers bar tape, too, and this smooth option is deceptively grippy.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp's new Super Short Reach bend features a 70mm reach and 128mm drop.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp will offer its Service Course bars, stems and seatposts in a new Beyond Black color option for those that prefer a more subdued look.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Stan's NoTubes continues to offer its house-brand hubs as either standalone items or part of complete builds for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A thinner-walled extrusion has shaved 20g from Stan's NoTubes' new ZTR Arch EX rim.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Naturally, the new Zipp 303 Firecrest features the company's trademark dimpled surface.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new Zipp 303 Firecrest rear hub features wider bearing spacing and a canted non-driveside spoke flange for improved lateral stiffness.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
External nipples makes for easier servicing on Zipp's latest 303 Firecrest.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp's new 303 Firecrest is very wide, measuring 28.5mm across at its broadest point.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp is including black skewers with its complete wheelsets for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton uses its long-running R4 hubs for the new EA90 RT road wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton's new EA90 RT uses special dual-threaded nipples that mate with special rim inserts that leave the outer rim wall totally solid for easy tubeless compatibility.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton adds a Road Tubeless-certified option to its 2012 range with the addition of the EA90 RT.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss will have more Road Tubeless options for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A 'swirl lip' just behind the spoke holes on DT Swiss's new RRC Dicut rims supposedly make for better airflow.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new DT Swiss RRC Dicut hubs feature very wide spoke flange spacing for extra lateral stiffness.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss launched its new flagship RRC Dicut road wheels, featuring specially built hubs with extra-wide spoke flange spacing and dedicated carbon rims.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss has expanded its range of Tricon wheels for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
One major advantage of the DT Swiss Tricon rim design is the solid outer rim bed, which makes for easier tubeless compatibility.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
New for 2012 from DT Swiss are 100mm and 120mm-travel 29er forks.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Got US$4,500 burning a hole in your pocket and want to take some weight off of your 29er? DT Swiss has just the thing with the new XRC 950 T carbon tubulars.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss's Tricon rim design on the new FX 1950 wheelset leaves the outer rim wall totally solid for easy tubeless compatibility.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss showed off its new FX 1950 Tricon wheels at Eurobike, complete with wide-format tubeless-compatible rims and a fetching neon green color scheme.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Bontrager's new Aeolus 9 is the deepest of the bunch at 90mm and the company expects to appeal most to the triathlon crowd.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Bontrager's 70mm-deep Aeolus 7 (right) and 90mm-deep Aeolus 9 are the most aerodynamic of the new range for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tubular versions of the new Bontrager Aeolus D3 range use carbon center sleeves on the front and rear hubs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Bontrager will eventually have clincher versions of all of its Aeolus aero wheels, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Bontrager says its new Dual Direction Design rim shape takes into account air passing first over the tire but then also air that hits the rim nose on the other side of the wheel.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The so-called 'stacked' driveside flange on Bontrager's new Aeolus rear hub pushes the spokes out as close to the cassette as possible for better lateral stiffness.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss introduced a new 180 flagship hub range at this year's Eurobike show, featuring carbon fiber center sleeves and hybrid ceramic bearings.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DT Swiss has new carbon road clinchers for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The XRC 1150 is DT Swiss's lightest mountain bike clincher wheelset for 2012 with its carbon fiber rims and feathery alloy star ratchet hubs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen's beefiest LG1 crank features minimal arm machining and steel pedal inserts.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new e*thirteen TRS+ Dual chainguide features this stepped lower roller.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen offers the TRS+ chainguide for ultimate chain security.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen has added several wheel models to its range for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen's new XCX guides are designed for cross-country riders using new-school 1x9 or 1x10 drivetrains.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen's lightest XCX wheels feature tubeless-ready scandium rims weighing as little as 372g.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton's new EA70 XCT wheels essentially mates an EA90 rim with a less expensive hub to bring tubeless compatibility to a wider range of buyers.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton uses the same threaded nipple inserts on the new EA70 XCT wheels as on its upper-end models.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton uses its long-running R4 hubs for the new EA90 RT road wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen's TRS+ Dual chainguide is purpose-built for the new crop of two-ring drivetrains.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen's Shift Ring allows a dual-ring setup to be mounted on a singlespeed crank.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The e*thirteen LG1R crank is designed for single or dual-ring use.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen is certainly aiming to dominate the heavy-duty drivetrain market with its collection of cranks, guides, bashguards, and now even pedals.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
All e*thirteen wheels feature monstrously oversized hubs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen opted for a partial polycarbonate body on its new flat pedal for impact resistance.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen pedals can be fitted with either 4mm or 7mm traction pins.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
e*thirteen's new pedals feature a slightly concave profile that can be exaggerated depending on which pins you use.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Adjustable preload on e*thirteen's new pedals allow users to tune exactly how freely they spin.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Bontrager launched a full range of carbon aero road wheels at this year's Eurobike show, including the 35mm-deep Aeolus 3 (left) and 50mm-deep Aeolus 5.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Zipp brings Firecrest shape to 303 plus new cockpit options
As expected, Zipp has adapted the Firecrest shape first introduced on the 404 to the shallower 45mm depth of the 303 for 2012. With the new, broader shape – a whopping 28.5mm across at its widest point – Zipp claims the new 303 Firecrest registers eight percent less drag than its forebear plus it's designed around the 23mm-wide tires more commonly in use these days.
Even with 25mm tires in place, though, Zipp says the new 303 is still more aerodynamically efficient than comparable wheels from Easton, Lightweight, or Mavic with 23mm tires fitted.
Stiffness has supposedly improved seven percent, too, mostly owing to the 7.5mm wider rear hub bearing spacing and a canted non-driveside spoke flange that lends a straighter path from hub to rim.
Weight on the tubular set hasn't changed much with an claimed figure of 1,198g but new for 2012 is the long awaited all-carbon clincher version, which is much lighter than the older aluminum-carbon set at a claimed 1,498g.
Suggested retail price for the tubular set is US$2,300/€2,100 and the clinchers will cost US$2,700/€2,500. Both will be available starting October 3 in two new colors: the stealthy Beyond Black or the grey-and-silver Falcon Grey.
The new Zipp 303 Firecrest rear hub features wider bearing spacing and a canted non-driveside spoke flange for improved lateral stiffness
