Zipp is updating its rear hubs across its wheel line, opting for a design called V9 that allows a new spoking pattern, a thicker drive-side flange and larger bearings — all moves to stiffen the wheels. The company said the move was partially inspired by Zipp-sponsored athlete Mark Cavendish.
"No one puts more watts into their wheels than Mark," said SRAM's David Ripley. Cav' has used Zipp rims previously but usually laced to non-Zipp hubs.?
Cavendish raced on three versions of the V9 prototype this year. He was aboard the design for his stage wins at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. SRAM said the design was raced in all three grand tours by the Saxo-Tinkoff team this year before being publicly announced Tuesday at a press event at the Interbike Outdoor Demo.
The changes resulted in about a 20 percent increase in radial stiffness, 140 percent in crease in torsionally stiffness and no change in vertical stiffness, SRAM said. The changes added about 20 grams to the wheel weight.
The V9 hub allows a "virtual" three-cross spoke pattern on both sides of the wheel, instead of Zipp's traditional radial/two-cross pattern. Zipp also upped the spoke count to 18 spokes front and 24 rear on the 202 Tubular and all Firecrest road wheels.
Rims in Zipp's line are unchanged, except for the new thinner, die-cut borderless Zipp decals. The new wheels are in production now and will be available in most markets within the month. The wheels will be available with Classic White or Beyond Black decals.
