Zipp surprised friend and foe with the introduction of their latest wheelset, the Zipp 454, at the beginning of this November. They’ve taken inspiration from -believe it or not- the fins of a whale in their ever-lasting quest for better aerodynamics and shaved seconds.
Looks are in the eye of the beholder, but the main question is: are the Zipp 454 wheels going to revolutionize the market?
To answer that right off the bat: we’re not sure. The first impression wasn’t overly warm for many of us, if only because of the 4000 pound price tag… This means that price-wise, these wheels are at the absolute high-end of the market. Are they worth it?
Add to that the unusually distinctive design, and we’re left wondering if these wheels will meet the demands of the most discerning riders.
Zipp tested the 454 wheelset for 252 hours in their in-house wind tunnel, and have gone through many different iterations before selecting the current design.
Zipp 454 – Inspired by Nature
By applying biomimicry -copying nature’s design- to their design, Zipp has set out on a course which they claim enables them to further enhance their products. In the case of the 454 wheelset, they’ve looked at the fins of a whale.
Whales have a coarse sawtooth pattern on the leading edge of their fins, which allows them to move through the water more efficiently. Since this design has had millions of years to evolve, Zipp figures it might just be the most efficient way of moving yourself around.
The Gains
The unusual looks aren’t just for show then. Zipp claims the wheels can better cope with winds from the side, and that they save up to 5 watts. In other words, they just might make the difference between looking at the podium, and standing on it yourself!
The sawtooth pattern causes numerous minute disturbances in the aerodynamics rather than several major ones like regular wheels do. This wouldn’t just help you become faster then, but more stable as well.
Zipp 454 – The details
Naturally, Zipp hasn’t left anything to chance. All of their top-notch technology has been incorporated in the wheel in order to provide you with the highest possible aerodynamic advantage. You’ll find bumps and dimples on the rim for instance, so-called Hyperfoils and Hexfins. The wheels weigh in at 1525 grams for a set and have a depth which varies between 53 and 58 mm.
All things considered, the looks and price are something to think about… What do you think? Are we going to see the new Zipp 454 everywhere in next year’s pro-peloton, or is it just a gimmick we’ll all be laughing at in a few years time?
Het bericht Zipp 454 – Will Copying Nature become the Future? verscheen eerst op Mantel | Bikes. Parts. Ride..
