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    Iron Heart Update 2026

    Gravel Bikes

    General Chat
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    • 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
                      • scarfmaceS
                        scarfmace
                        Haraki san Expert
                        Joined:

                        Managed to 'accidentally' ride the Muur van Geraardsbergen last week. To those who follow pro cycling: I apologize for disrespecting such a hallowed climb with my lack of preparation. To everyone else: it’s famous, it’s cobblestones, and it’s brutal.

                        IMG_20260118_103309_948.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 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
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