Zipp 3ZERO MOTO wheels launched
Meet the latest entrant in the high end mountain bike wheel market, the Zipp 3ZERO MOTO.
Heretofore, the Zipp name was exclusive to high end road wheels. But this spring, Zipp parent company SRAM is expanding that footprint to now include the new Zipp 3ZERO MOTO wheels, which are aimed at the trail/enduro mountain bike crowd — and inspired by… you guessed it — moto. The new Zipp 3ZERO MOTO carbon 27.5 and 29 enduro/trail wheelset is designed to provide riders with the control and durability required for high-speed riding (without motors).
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx8QYRfCi3M
Based in the gasoline-fueled racing hotbed of Indianapolis, Zipp for more than three decades has used motorsports as an inspiration to develop carbon cycling innovations. Their single-wall approach, what they call Moto Technology, claims to allow the rims to “pivot” from either side of the spoke bed while traversing rough terrain. As the wheel encounters obstacles, each edge of the rim is designed for compliance, creating the feel of extra suspension.
Zipp says the new wheels also have higher impact resistance, reduced chance of pinch flatting, more traction in rough corners, provide a smoother ride in rocky terrain, deliver the ability to run lower tire pressure, and reduce rider fatigue. Claimed wheelset/rim weights are: 1825g for 27.5, 1910g for 29er, and 535g/565g for rim only 27.5 and 29 respectively. Internal rim width is (by modern standards) a middle of the road 30mm. And the price for all that amazingness is $1999 for the wheelset or $700 per rim.
For the last two years Zipp says it had prototypes and successive versions of the 3ZERO MOTO under the fastest riders in the world. Enduro MTB rider Adrien Dailly raced them to their first EWS podium in France, and enduro legend Jérôme Clementz recorded the first win in New Zealand. With their help, plus feedback from their test riders, Zipp says it, “Arrived at the transformation of the mountain bike wheel for the speed-obsessed. Our test riders are saying they have a lot less fatigue and arm pump and are not feeling vibrations of trail coming up through the handlebars.”
Stiffness: Perception vs. Reality
While Zipp contends that other wheel brands limit their focus to traditional box-section rim designs, their engineers wiped the white board clean.
“All the best ideas eventually pointed to motorsports inspiration and Moto Technology’s single-wall rim as the optimal approach for an enduro/trail wheelset.”
The 3ZERO MOTO’s stiffness, compliance and durability comes from Zipp’s proprietary process to design and assemble rim, hub, and spokes, they claim. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheel is built as a system, its ZM1 hubset and 32 spokes and carbon rim all integrate to play key roles in performance.
How It Works
Lateral stiffness — In a sharp turn, the rim remains stiff, providing confidence that the wheel is firmly planted. Zipp’s wide hub flanges are claimed to provide better spoke-bracing angles which help to increase the lateral stiffness.
Torsional windup — When torque is applied to the rear hub when pedaling, you don’t want the spokes to create a spring-like flex sapping your wattage. Having 32 spokes at the right tensions keep the wheel constrained during windup, meaning the energy in your legs is efficiently transferred to your rear wheel.
Radial compliance — When you hit a rock, the system is designed to act as a shock absorber. Zipp’s MOTO Technology allows the rim to flex, which absorbs the impact energy and spreads it away from the impact zone for increased durability, says Zipp. In essence, more of the rim carries the load from the impact.
Ankle compliance — Imagine a runner rounding a sharp turn, the ankle naturally flexing to maintain grip as the runner leans. The rim can locally flex to stay parallel to the ground during cornering, which increases traction much like a human ankle. This ability to twist locally allows it to deflect during single bead impacts without the rider getting bounced off line.
Ankle compliance illustrated.
Durability and ride quality — Zipp says that 3ZERO MOTO rim strength exceeded their expectations for impact resistance due to MOTO Technology compliance. As for ride quality, the wheel also deflected three times more than top rival box-section carbon wheels, they claim. That extra compliance behaves like extra suspension, but it also spreads the impact energy over a larger area. This also benefits the rider in the form of pinch flat prevention.
Tire Pressure Matters
In enduro, 2 to 4 psi one way or the other can greatly influence speed, comfort and traction. Now you can have real-time tire pressure data thanks to the integration of Quarq’s TyreWiz in every 3ZERO MOTO wheel. TyreWiz is the first AXS app-based tire-pressure monitoring device. It shows riders exactly what pressure their tires are at through their smartphone or head unit with ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy radio capabilities.
Each 3ZERO MOTO wheelset includes TyreWiz as a standard integrated feature, helping riders dial-in precise and optimal pressure for every trail condition. TyreWiz syncs the data, using the AXS app, it tracks with sensors that deliver + or – 2% pressure accuracy, all the way down to 0 psi. Note that for rim-only sales, TyreWiz is available separately for $200 per set.
Lifetime Warranty
Zipp is extremely confident in the durability that MOTO Technology provides. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheelset or rim includes a lifetime warranty for product issues that happen during your gnarliest Trail or Enduro use. Note that product registration required. Original owner only, non-transferable. Proof of purchase required. Covers defects in materials or workmanship. Rim damage is covered in indented use situations (Trail/Enduro). Neglect and misuse are not covered. ‘Life Happens’ Pricing Structure for situations where warranty does not cover the damage.
Tire Installation
The Zipp 3ZERO MOTO has been designed to make tire installation (with or without inserts) as easy as possible. They claim that no tools or help from friends are needed thanks to a rim profile and spoke-bed strip designed to make mounting and airing up tubeless tires simple.
Rim Only Options
Zipp is also offering the option to purchase 3ZERO MOTO rims alone, as they realize there are many hub choices on the market today, and that some riders have particular preferences or arrangements. Also new are Zipp’s Speed Line graphics in your choice of 8 colors.
Each Wheelset Includes
- Speed Line Graphics – choice of 8 colors (Silver, Stealth, RS Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Teal or Blue)
- TyreWiz – Integrated tire pressure monitoring system
- Tubeless valve
- Tubeless rim tape
- ZM1 hub with Double Time Technology provides 52 points of engagement
- End caps: 15/110 front and 12/148 rear (Front wheel includes 21mm Standard and 31mm RockShox Torque Caps)
Rim Only Includes
- Speed Line Graphics – choice of 8 colors (Silver, Stealth, RS Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Teal or Blue)
- Tubeless valve
- Rim strip and tubeless rim tape
- Washers
To learn more, spin over to www.zipp.com.
Zipp 3ZERO MOTO FAQ
What is the intended riding application for the 3ZERO MOTO?
Aggressive trail riding and enduro racing.
Can I use these wheels on an e-bike or DH bike?
No. Use outside of non-motorized enduro racing or aggressive trail riding applications are not covered under the Zipp 3ZERO MOTO lifetime warranty.
Where are 3ZERO MOTO rims made? Where are complete 3ZERO MOTO wheels built?
Every 3ZERO MOTO carbon rim is laid up by hand and molded at our factory in Indianapolis. We’ve made carbon wheels from scratch starting with single plies of carbon in Indianapolis for over 30 years. For the American market, after the rim is cured our expert wheel builders lace up and true the wheels by hand in the same factory. For the European market, we ship the Indy-made 3ZERO MOTO rims to our factory in Coimbra, Portugal, where they are laced up and trued by hand.
Does the 3ZERO MOTO use a hookless rim bead seat design?
Yes.
Is it safe to use tire levers when installing tires on 3ZERO MOTO wheels?
Yes. Plastic tire levers are safe to use on 3ZERO wheels. Just keep in mind that, like all taped tubeless wheels, you’ll need to take some care not to poke holes in the rim tape when using tire levers. However, the 3ZERO MOTO has been designed to make tire installation as easy as possible. No tools or help from friends are typically needed thanks to a rim profile and spoke-bed strip designed to make mounting and airing up tubeless tires the way it should be: Dead simple.
Can I order custom color graphics?
We have eight stock Speed Line stripe options and two Zipp logo graphic colors available. However, we do not have custom color options.
Are the graphics under a clear coat? Can they be removed?
There is no clear coat over the graphics. They can be peeled off by hand.
Is the warranty period the same for rims as it is for complete wheels?
Yes.
Is there an expected fatigue life for the rim?
No. The beauty of carbon wheels is that within their engineered compliance limits, there is no risk of cracks from repeated stresses (fatigue).
Can I run the wheels with tubes and tires instead of tubeless?
Yes.
Can I remove TyreWiz during a ride if I need to install a tube?
Yes.
Is there a rider weight restriction for these wheels?
Yes. 120kg/265lbs for the complete system weight (Bike+Rider+Gear).
Can I safely run lower tire pressures with 3ZERO MOTO rims?
If you are accumulating dents on the sidewalls of your current aluminum box section rims, we recommend maintaining the pressure you are currently running with the 3ZERO MOTO. If you aren’t denting your rims, we recommend trying a lower tire pressure than you would ride with aluminum box section wheels (typically 2-3psi less). This way you can get the greatest ride performance and traction benefits provided by the 3ZERO MOTO rim design. Using the integrated Quarq TyreWiz tire pressure monitoring sensor is a great way to accurately dial in the best tire pressure for you.
How many points of engagement does the rear hub driver have?
52.
What type of bearings are used in the Zipp ZM1 hubset?
Stainless steel cartridge bearings.
Why did Zipp choose J-bend spokes and external spoke nipples for the 3ZERO MOTO?
User serviceability is an essential design requirement at Zipp. J-bend spokes are widely available at just about any bike shop and are easy to work with. They also avoid the potential problem of straight pull spoke heads spinning in the hub. We also believe that riders and mechanics shouldn’t have to remove tires and rim tape to make spoke adjustments, so we use externally accessible spoke nipples.
Are there any hub flange spacing limitations when building wheels with 3ZERO MOTO rims?
Yes. 142mm rear and 100mm front hubs are too narrow to provide proper lateral stiffness due to the spoke bracing angle of wheels built with these hubs. Also, hubs wider than 157mm (Super Boost Plus) are not compatible with the spoke drilling angle used on 3ZERO MOTO rims.
What spoke lengths are used for the 3ZERO MOTO wheelsets?
For 27.5 Front: 282/284mm (disc brake side/drive side) Rear: 282/280mm (disc brake side/drive side). For 29 Front: 300/302mm (disc brake side/drive side) Rear: 302/300mm (disc brake side/drive side)
Do I need some sort of lubrication between the washer and the nipple head?
No.
Are 3ZERO MOTO rims asymmetrical? If so, what is the spoke drilling offset?
Yes. Spoke drilling offset is 2.5mm.
What spokes and nipples are used for the 3ZERO MOTO wheelset?
Spokes: Stainless steel Sapim D-Light, J-bend 2.0/1.65/2.0
Nipples: Alloy Sapim Secure Lock used in combination with HM cupped spoke nipple washers
Are spoke nipple washers required?
Yes. They are supplied with each rim.
Can rims be built using either alloy or brass spoke nipples?
Yes.
Are there specific spoke and spoke nipple types or brands that Zipp recommends for building 3ZERO MOTO rims?
There are no specific spoke types required, however, wheel builders should keep in mind that using lighter spokes will produce a wheel with greater lateral flex when compared to a typical 2.0/1.8 spoke. For spoke nipples, we recommend using a mechanically locking nipple such as Sapim Secure Lock nipples. DO NOT USE DT SWISS SQUORX, HEX, OR SIMILAR NIPPLES FROM ANY OTHER BRAND WITH AN EXTRA TALL BASE. These tall base nipples are incompatible with the 3ZERO MOTO’s single wall design where the rim tape comes in direct contact with the spoke nipples. Tall nipples run a higher risk of poking holes in the tubeless tape and creates irregularities in the tubeless tape width.
Do 3ZERO MOTO rims need to be built with a particular spoke lacing pattern?
Yes. 3-cross.
Is there a specific spoke tension required when building Zipp 3ZERO MOTO wheels?
Yes. Proper spoke tension is critically important to proper function of the 3ZERO MOTO’s design. Rear drive-side and front non-drive side spoke tension must be 115Kgf.
What spoke drilling options are available?
32-hole only. This spoke count is integral to the proper function of the 3ZERO MOTO’s design.
What type of rim tape is required?
There are two layers of required rim tape. One layer of narrow nylon rim tape that only covers the channel of the rim where the spoke nipples sit. This nylon tape material is the same type of non-adhesive tape commonly found on non-tubeless OE box section wheels. The second layer of tape should be an airtight tubeless-specific tape. Thinner tapes such as the Zipp tape used on complete 3ZERO MOTO wheels should wrap around the rim twice. Zipp branded tape is not required but can be purchased aftermarket. Tubeless tape needs to be 32mm wide.
What prevents the spoke nipples from poking through the tape?
The layer of woven nylon rim tape under the sealing tubeless tape.
If spokes are slightly too long and extend past the end of the spoke nipple, will it poke through the rim tape?
Yes. It is critical to use the right length spokes when building 3ZERO MOTO wheels.
What is the rim ERD (effective rim diameter)?
27.5 581mm including required spoke washers (579mm without)
29 619mm including required spoke washers (617mm without)
When making spoke length calculations, we recommend rounding up any fractions of a millimeter to the next highest millimeter to ensure that the base of the spoke nipple is properly supported by the spoke.
Can you explain how rim “ankle compliance” allows me to ride faster?
Imagine a runner rounding a sharp turn, the ankle naturally flexing to maintain grip as the runner leans. Ankle compliance allows the rim to locally flex and stay parallel to the ground during cornering, which increases traction much like a human ankle. This ability to twist locally also allows it to deflect during single bead impacts without the rider getting bounced off line.
How do the spokes and nipples respond to “ankle compliance?
The 3ZERO MOTO rim design shares more of the regular loads with the spokes than a box section rim. This is why 3ZERO MOTO wheels and rims are only available with 32 spokes to reduce the load placed on each individual spoke when compared to a 28 or 24 spoke wheel.
Does the rim’s ankle compliance increase the likelihood of tires burping air?
The ankle compliance designed into the 3ZERO MOTO rim actually helps to prevent tire burping by allowing the tire bead and rim to flex together.
What tire widths are recommended for the 3ZERO MOTO?
Run whatever tire width and type you prefer to get the tire profile shape that is best for your trails and the way you ride.
Can I use any type of tire sidewall casing?
The 3ZERO MOTO has no limitations with respect to tire casing types. However, keep in mind that the 3ZERO MOTO is not designed for downhill bike applications. This means it is safe to run downhill tires, as long as they are on a bike built for enduro or trail riding.
Are there any tire pressure recommendations or requirements?
Maximum tire pressure limit is 50psi.mAs for tire pressure recommendations, if you are accumulating dents on the sidewalls of your current aluminum box section rims, we recommend maintaining the pressure you are currently running with the 3ZERO MOTO. If you aren’t denting your rims, we recommend trying a lower tire pressure than you would ride with aluminum box section wheels (typically 2-3psi less). This way you can get the greatest ride performance and traction benefits provided by the 3ZERO MOTO rim design. Using the integrated Quarq TyreWiz tire pressure monitoring sensor is a great way to accurately dial in the best tire pressure for you.
Are complete 3ZERO MOTO wheelsets available with both Boost and non-Boost hub options?
Complete wheels are available only with Boost spacing. The separately available 3ZERO MOTO rim is only designed for Boost and Super Boost Plus spaced hubs.
Is there a Super Boost Plus complete 3ZERO MOTO wheelset option?
No. But we sell rims separately for this application. Spoke tension requirements are the same for this hub spacing and is 115Kgf for rear drive-side and front non-drive side spokes.
Can the 15mm thru axle ZM1 front hub use either 31mm RockShox Torque Caps or standard 15mm through axle end caps for use with another brand of fork?
Yes. Both end cap types are shipped with complete front 3ZERO MOTO wheels.
Are there 20x110mm thru axle hub end cap options for the ZM1 front hub?
No.
Are there 15×100 or QR axle end cap options for the ZM1 front hub?
No.
Is there a ZM1 hubset option that is compatible with center locking rotors?
No.
Is there a Hyperglide hub driver option for the ZM1 rear hub?
Yes.
Is there an XD hub driver option for the ZM1 rear hub?
Yes.
Is there a Shimano Microspline hub driver option for the ZM1 rear hub?
No.
Can I buy complete 3ZERO MOTO wheels with or without TyreWiz?
TyreWiz is included with every 3ZERO MOTO complete wheel.
Can I buy 3ZERO MOTO rims with or without TyreWiz?
TyreWiz does not come with 3ZERO MOTO rims, but the 3ZERO MOTO-specific version of TyreWiz is available for purchase separately.
Does the TyreWiz app have a push notification option if the tire pressure is out of set range?
No. However, the valve-mounted TyreWiz device has an LED flash sequence that signals where tire pressure is relative to the set range (green = good, slow red = too low, fast red = too high). The range must be set in the app.
What information does TyreWiz deliver?
It supplies tire pressure data in real-time via app or head unit (Garmin and Wahoo make head units that display TyreWiz data).
What settings can I adjust with the TyreWiz App?
The app allows for the target tire pressure range to be manually set or set based on Suggested Pressure recommendations. These settings will trigger the appropriate LED flash sequence visible on the valve-mounted TyreWiz hardware (green = good, slow red = too low, fast red = too high).
How long does the TyreWiz battery last?
300 hours. An internal accelerometer automatically turns TyreWiz on when it senses movement and turns off about a minute after inactivity is detected. TyreWiz automatically turns back on after the accelerometer detects a few seconds of sustained movement.
Does TyreWiz work with all tire sealants?
Yes. Please see the user manual for proper installation and care.
What do the lights on TyreWiz mean?
The LEDs flash in specific sequences based on tire pressure ranges set within the app: green = good, slow red = too low, fast red = too high
If my TyreWiz breaks, can I install a normal tubeless valve?
Yes. You will need to remove the complete TyreWiz device and valve to make this change. It can be done by hand without tools.
What is the warranty policy on TyreWiz?
Standard 2-year warranty.
Does TyreWiz require a special valve stem or is it a standard replaceable stem?
TyreWiz requires a custom valve stem that is included with 3ZERO MOTO wheels.
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