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    Iron Heart Update 2026

    Gravel Bikes

    General Chat
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    • D
      dugafola
      The Unwoven
      @scarfmace
      Joined:

      @scarfmace are those ASPLRs? how you liking them?

      last edited by scarfmaceS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • scarfmaceS
        scarfmace
        Haraki san Expert
        @dugafola
        Joined:

        @dugafola They are the Zipp 303 XPLR SW's

        I really like the way they look on my bike and the are a big upgrade coming from ALU DT-Swiss in terms of acceleration speed responsiveness.

        Here are my remarks:

        1 I ride a Shimano GRX 1-12 groupset so my XT cassette uses Microspleen, I had to buy a separate freehub body and cap (an additional 80€). Most other brands have Microspleen as a standard option. It's clear to me that Zipp wants you to use SRAM instead. Also the PN's for this kit where not easy to find and not in stock at the EU importer.

        2 the rims are 32mm wide and stretch my 45mm tire out to a 50mm, this is great for stability going straight but the tire profile suffers a but in the corners, I'm running Pannaracer Gravelking X1's right now but will switch to the 50mm gravel specific tires goodyear has developed for these rims when the current set wears out. I'm betting this will improve my grip in the corners.

        3 de fact they are 54mm deep also makes them more unstable in crosswinds, but on the upside they help a lot in headwinds or tailwinds

        4 the ZR1 DB Hub has 66 points of engagement and you can hear that, it's almost like a buzz instead of the typical klick sound, I quite like it, also it's not very loud so I don't feel like a dick when I coast behind somebody.

        5 the correct tire pressure is very important with these, not only because of the hookless design but also to prevent sidewall punctures.

        They are not the cheapest or lightest rims on the market today but overall I'm happy with the upgrade. Also the lifetime warranty Zipp offers gives me the confidence to do whatever I want with these.

        IMG_20251207_120253_016.jpg

        "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

        last edited by scarfmace D indigo_nicoI 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
        • D
          dugafola
          The Unwoven
          @scarfmace
          Joined:

          @scarfmace nice! i picked up the 303s a year before the new rims were released. they are only 23mm internal but let me run 50mm+ tires with a nice profile.

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • indigo_nicoI
            indigo_nico
            @scarfmace
            Joined:

            @scarfmace as the Zipp Brand Manager, seeing this post makes me really stoked! glad you are enjoying the wheels. I had the pleasure of racing on Zipp when I was a pro and now working there, I've had the pleasure of riding pretty much every Zipp wheel made since 2015. I can wholeheartedly say that of everything we've ever made since I started riding Zipp the XPLR are my favorite wheels.

            ih-555-xhs
            ih-634s-uhr
            ih-666s-sbg
            ihj-114-blk
            ihg-081-ora

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • indigo_nicoI
              indigo_nico
              Joined:

              here's mine set up with 40mm road slicks!
              IMG_1549.jpeg

              ih-555-xhs
              ih-634s-uhr
              ih-666s-sbg
              ihj-114-blk
              ihg-081-ora

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
              • scarfmaceS
                scarfmace
                Haraki san Expert
                Joined:

                @indigo_nico cool bike! I like the more pronouced stickers on your rims how did you manage that? Also do you know Josh Porter or work with him? Silca is my favorite cycling brand

                "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

                last edited by indigo_nicoI 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • indigo_nicoI
                  indigo_nico
                  @scarfmace
                  Joined:

                  @scarfmace josh left Zipp right around the time I was signed as an athlete so we've never actually connected, but silca is great.

                  regarding my wheels, we typically do white decals for our pro riders and these came from a batch we made with out valve logos for our pros who were racing the wheels before they launched.

                  there is a company called Slik Graphics who have all our templates and can make custom decals for your Zipps!

                  ih-555-xhs
                  ih-634s-uhr
                  ih-666s-sbg
                  ihj-114-blk
                  ihg-081-ora

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • NikN
                    Nik
                    Raw and Unwashed
                    Joined:

                    IMG_6300.jpeg
                    joined the club

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
                    • BrockB
                      Brock
                      Raw and Unwashed
                      Joined:

                      Sick!
                      I love that you’re wearing the IH fleece on the bike

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • SubprimeS
                        Subprime
                        Haraki san Prodigy
                        Joined:

                        My Crux Comp. First gravel bike, love this thing.
                        Pittock Mansion. Portland, OR
                        IMG_3487.jpeg

                        We can all aim higher and start somewhere.

                        last edited by Subprime 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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