Zipp
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| Zipp Speed Weaponry | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Key people | Unknown |
| Industry | cycling components |
| Products | Bicycle and Related Components |
| Revenue | undisclosed |
| Website | www.zipp.com |
Zipp is company that designs, makes and markets carbon-composite bicycle wheels, although recently the company has expanded its product range to include handlebars, cranks and stems. Zipp was acquired by bicycle component manufacturer SRAM in November 2007.[1]
Zipp sells wheels, discs and other products (including cranks, hubs, stems and handlebar) through an international list of authorized dealers. They are also known for their high-performance silica-nitride bearings, which have a notable roundness for the entire set of less than one millionth of an inch of imperfection. At one time, Zipp was also the industry leader in the radical "beam" bike, which has subsequently been discontinued. Zipp also produced mountain bike wheels at its inception, but dropped the program later in favor of a more specialized road line. However, Zipp wheels are still tested as 29" mountain bike wheels to prove the durability of a new layup.
The company was first to market with dimpled discs and rims (they also own the patent), to promote laminar airflow and reduce turbulence. Zipp has done pioneering research in aerodynamics, using various high tech wind tunnels, and has published advanced papers in this area.
The most popular wheel made by Zipp is the iconic 404 wheelset (570g / 682g), known for its lightweight dimpled 58 mm rim, which is often seen on all but the hilliest courses possible. The appeal of the 404 stems from its superb aerodynamics and a rim weight (resulting in a low moment of inertia) lower than all common aluminum rims save for the Mavic Reflex -- making it the most affordable all-purpose wheel in the world. Recent developments in aluminum rim technology has allowed for lighter alloys, down to 350 grams per rim, but without the decisive aerodynamic advantage of the 404 wheelset.
In 2005, Zipp debuted the first all aluminum clincher from the company: the Team CSC Clincher. The wheel was intended for use as a training wheelset and a lightweight wheelset for the rigors of Paris-Roubaix. Zipp introduced an extra deep aero wheel the 808 (81mm), lauched the 606 (404F + 808R) and their 999 wheelset (808F + 900 disc).
As of 2005, dealers and consumers alike have noted an increase in the cost of Zipp products, stemming from aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus placing a strain on the carbon fiber market with their most recent designs.
Recently Zipp has launched their new "Vuka" highly adjustable aero bar and a Vuka clip-on bar with 3 extension styles. These products have internal cable routing and most versatile configuration currently on the market.
Zipp has announced a new "customized" ZedTech wheel line for 2007, where users can choose (4) decal and (5) nipple colors, select from 3 laminates layups, upgrade to ceramic bearings and get higher rear spoke counts. An new 808 track wheel was introduced with 20/24 spoke pattern and the 343 wheel set (303F + 404R). In June 2007 Zipp launched their 195gm Vuka Bull bar.
New products announced for 2008 include: the redesigned 202 - a light-weight (1070g) climbing racing wheel featuring a revamped, deeper section rim, the world's deepest conventional, non-disc TT and tri wheel (1080mm) named simply the '1080', the VumaQuad - a 4 bolt, BB30mm, very light and stiff compact carbon crank (570g), a modified version of which is to appear on the Cannondale SuperSix Ultimate, and the Sub9 bulge disc --a flat disc with a lenticular bulge for the last few inches of rim depth-- that recorded the first ever true negative drag in the wind tunnel. as proven by both 0-to-30 testing and 30-to-0 protocol. At a 15 degree yaw angle, when normalized to 25mph, the Sub9 showed a reduction in drag equivalent to 11W of forward thrust; roughly equivalent to a mile an hour advantage. Within their Flash-Point brand, Zipp introduced a new deep section 82mm rim, the FP80, and added 650c wheels to the popular FP60 line, changed the decals, spokes and hubs.
