Review of the Zipp 353 NSW Tubeless Disc Wheels

The Zipp 353 NSW Tubeless Disc wheelset is very lightweight, yet it also offers great handling and excellent comfort, thanks to the wavy profile of the rims and their hookless design. These wheelsets are nearly perfect in terms of performance and versatility, even though they aren’t cheap and the practicality of the hookless design remains to be seen. By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr/zipp.com

Just like the 454 and 858 models from Zipp, the 353 NSW stands out for its wavy rim profile, which ranges from 42.7 to 46.5 mm. Rather than maintaining a constant 45 mm height, the rim is noticeably taller at each of the 24 Sapim CX-Ray stainless steel spoke attachment points. Just past each spoke head (which is accessible for convenience during maintenance), the wide U-shaped profile dips downward before gradually rising again. According to the American brand, its engineers drew inspiration from the fins of humpback whales to design this profile, since these cetaceans are fast and agile in the water despite their size and weight. The idea is that the wheelset should feel like a 45 mm deep setup in head- or tailwinds yet act like a shallower option as the yaw angle increases, thereby increasing the bike’s maneuverability and allowing the rider to anticipate its reactions during gusts or when changing direction. This undulating profile also has the advantage of reducing the weight of the rims slightly without compromising aerodynamics. Finally, the Zipp wheels in the NSW line also feature the famous dimples—a hallmark of the Indianapolis-based brand—on the rim surface, designed to press the air against the wheel and, paradoxically, offer less wind resistance.

Hookless Design

But the main weight savings of the 353 NSW aren’t achieved solely through this profile. The 353 NSW is part of this new family of wheels with hookless rims, which eliminates a certain degree of complexity during manufacturing. This design trims weight at the rim’s periphery and optimises the interface between the rim’s sidewalls and those of the tyre, resulting in improved aerodynamics. On the scale, the Zipp 353 NSW wheelset weighs in at 1,310 g, including rim tapes and tubeless valves. Thanks to this design and the 25-mm internal width (versus 23 mm for the Zipp 404, which also uses this hookless construction), the wheelset’s compatibility is limited to a specific list of tyres, with a minimum width of 28 mm (and up to 50 mm). There is also a maximum pressure limit that must not be exceeded with this type of setup, which relies solely on the tubeless tire’s inflation to press it against the rim and keep it in place. The maximum pressure is 5 bar—not to protect the strength of the rim’s sidewalls (which could withstand much more), but to prevent the tire from coming off the rim under pressure. The recommended inflation pressures are lower the wider the tire, which enhances comfort.

When paired with (theoretically) compatible 700×28 Pirelli tires, the actual measured width is 31 mm, but it ensures a seamless transition between the rim and tire sidewalls, and little to no sensation of tire deformation when standing on the pedals or during direction changes—sensations that could disrupt the bike’s balance and control.

As for the hubs, the Zipp Cognition V2 hubs are lightweight and smooth-running, and the rear hub features 54 engagement points to ensure maximum responsiveness from the wheel. The use of a synthetic material inside the freehub body improves the smoothness of the mechanism and reduces the need for maintenance. In practice, they’re smooth and reassuringly reliable—a far cry from the Zipp hubs of about fifteen years ago, which required frequent attention to function properly.

Finally, the price of the Zipp 353 NSW is a bit (a lot) steep, with an official price of €3,798 for the pair.

Comfort and Smoothness The 353 NSWs are by far the most comfortable wheels I’ve ever tested, and they’re close to being the most efficient, at least for all-around use. Performance also depends on the tires, but it’s worth noting that the picture painted by the hookless tubeless system isn’t quite that idyllic as it seems—I’ll discuss this further below. In terms of weight, even though the wheelset is very light given its profile, you also have to factor in the weight of the tyres and the sealant, which is required to set up the system. In other words, the 370 g per wheel (320 g for the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR in 700×28 + the sealant) somewhat negates the weight advantage gained from the wheels. With more traditional wheels fitted with 25 tyres and lightweight inner tubes, you can easily get down to 250/270 g per wheel, a difference of 200 g for the pair. Basically, with the Zipp 353 NSW in tubeless configuration, you end up with the same weight as with Shimano Dura-Ace clincher wheels when fully assembled. Fortunately, the 353 NSW shouldn’t be reduced to just their low weight. The first thing that stands out is the comfort—and even better: the feeling of constantly riding on a soft, cushioned carpet. Once again, the quality of the tires—their flexibility, grip, performance, and inflation pressure limited to 4.6/4.8 bar for most of the test—have a major influence on these sensations, but it’s really thanks to the width of the rims that the combination feels so cohesive. It’s worth noting that at first you’ll need to get past a very slight sensation of “bouncing” during accelerations or when pulling away, as the tires seem less directly connected to the road. But the performance is definitely there, both over short distances—when you notice how easily certain steep hills are conquered—and over longer stretches, with less noticeable fatigue after 4 hours of cycling or more, thanks to the overall comfort provided by the wheels.

Once you get past the very slight wobble caused by the tires’ flexibility and low inflation pressure, the Zipp 353 NSW wheels are more than rigid enough to handle even the most aggressive accelerations or sprints with a tailwind in top gear.

With this tire pressure, the tire’s width, and how it sits on the rim, traction is formidable here as well, whether on dry or wet surfaces. Thanks to the entire system, the wheels feel reassuring to ride, which undoubtedly adds to the overall comfort. This is confirmed by their behavior in crosswinds, which, while certainly not as neutral as with low-profile rims, remains predictable without compromising the bike’s overall handling. And unlike many lightweight wheelsets, the Zipp 353 NSWs are efficient on flat terrain at speeds above 40 km/h. You don’t feel the need to constantly accelerate them once you’ve reached cruising speed, and they perform like 50 mm wheels. In short: comfort, lightness, aerodynamics, control and stability—the 353 NSWs have nearly all the qualities needed to make them exceptional wheels.

https://www.3bikes.fr/2022/08/08/test-exclusif-des-nouvelles-roues-zipp-808-firecrest/ A system that’s still exclusive

In practice, the Zipp 353 NSWs are among the best currently available, except for very specific needs, such as exclusively mountain riding (there are even lighter wheels) or exclusively high-speed flat-road riding (there are more aerodynamic wheels). However, the advantages and disadvantages of the hookless system must still be taken into account, given that it requires a specific list of compatible tires, large dimensions, limited inflation pressure, potential rim fragility during frontal impacts (on potholes, for example) due to the thinness of the walls and the absence of a hook that could reinforce the rim, and the overall complexity of the tubeless system for the average user. I tested the 353s with incompatible tires, and the consequences were immediate: the tire came off the rim right away (but fortunately, I didn’t fall). => SEE ALSO: Buy Zipp 353 NSW wheels on sale

Nine times out of ten, tubeless is great. And the performance of tubeless tires is generally very high, with rolling resistance well below that of clincher tires and tubulars. In the event of a minor puncture, the sealant seals the hole in a matter of seconds, with minimal loss of pressure, and you can keep riding. On the downside, you end up getting it everywhere, and you’re left with latex residue on your bike, your clothes, and sometimes even in the drivetrain. And since you can never be certain you won’t get a bigger puncture, you still need to carry an inner tube and repair kit. With an inner tube, a tubeless setup becomes heavy and loses a lot of efficiency. Finally, don’t expect to be able to install or repair the system yourself unless you have a compressor to seat the tire on the rim.

These are things to keep in mind when purchasing the Zipp 353 NSW—wheels that are nearly perfect, offering both enjoyment and performance, but which require you to rethink many of your habits and ultimately prove to be quite exclusive.

=> SEE ALSO: All our Equipment articles