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Written with ❤️ by
Hugo
After unveiling very light—but also very expensive—wheels, Zipp is back with a much more accessible option: the 404 S, a high-profile carbon road wheelset designed for speed, light all-road riding, and upgrading an entry- or mid-range bike.
The positioning is pretty clear: a solid spec sheet, 50 mm rim depth, a claimed weight of 1,585 g per pair, a lifetime warranty, and an RRP that puts this 404 S in a very aggressive zone for a big-name carbon wheelset.
🚀 At a glance:
50 mm profile, 23 mm internal width, and a claimed weight of 1,585 g per pair.
Compatible with 28–39 mm tyres; hookless/TSS-approved tyres only.
Aggressive RRP and Zipp lifetime warranty.
The Zipp 404 S are not intended for gravel use. Zipp positions them for road and all‑road riding with 28–39 mm tyres, but not for rough tracks or committed gravel.
This is therefore not a direct alternative to the Zipp 303 XPLR S, which are designed for big gravel tyres and a much more specific practice. Here we’re talking about a modern road wheelset, able to cope with imperfect tarmac, broken roads and fast rides on wider tyres, but not a wheelset to take onto trails without a second thought.
This framing matters, because the 23 mm internal width and tyre compatibility up to 39 mm could suggest broader versatility. In reality, the 404 S is still a road wheelset.
The 404 S uses a rim depth of 50 mm, with a profile inspired by Zipp’s Firecrest rims. On paper, it’s a coherent choice: deep enough to seek a real aerodynamic gain, but not so extreme that it becomes overly specialised.
Zipp claims around 2 watts saved versus the 303 S. As always with this kind of figure, take it for what it is: an indication of positioning, not a magic promise. What matters most is that the 404 S clearly targets riders who ride fast, mostly on the road, and want a higher-performing set than stock aluminium wheels.
Compared with a shallower wheelset, it should mainly appeal to riders who frequently cruise above a certain speed, on rolling terrain, with a clear focus on efficiency. For very hilly routes or in consistently windy conditions, the choice calls for a bit more nuance.
The pair is quoted at 1,585 g, including tubeless valves and rim tape. These aren’t the lightest carbon wheels on the market—and that’s not what Zipp is selling here.
The trade-off lies elsewhere: offering a recognisable, fast, tubeless carbon wheelset from an established brand without tipping into top‑end pricing. The stated RRP is €530 for the front and €570 for the rear, i.e. €1,100 for the pair at list price.
This is probably what makes the 404 S compelling. At this price point, it can quickly become a credible option to transform the feel of a road bike that came with fairly basic stock wheels. And if the pricing habits seen at some Zipp retailers hold true, the positioning could become even more aggressive.
The Zipp 404 S use a hookless rim—called TSS at Zipp—with straight sidewalls that meet ISO standards. This demands real care when choosing your tyres.
The brand recommends 28 to 39 mm tyres that are specifically approved for this rim type. You can run inner tubes, but that doesn’t change the basic rule: the tyre must still be hookless‑compatible.
The stated maximum pressures must also be followed: 5 bar for 28–29 mm, 4.5 bar for 30–34 mm, and 4 bar for 35–39 mm. For riders used to inflating their road tyres hard, that’s worth bearing in mind. The idea with these modern rims is precisely to run more volume at lower pressures.
That aligns with current trends on the road, but it means you shouldn’t mount just any tyre, any old way.
The 404 S are built around Zipp 76/176 hubs with steel bearings and 36 points of engagement. There’s a Centerlock brake interface, with 12×100 mm front and 12×142 mm rear axles per the published specs.
The build uses 20 spokes up front and 24 in the rear, with Sapim CX‑Sprint. It’s not an exotic construction, but that’s actually reassuring for a wheelset at this positioning.
On the drivetrain side, Zipp offers SRAM XDR or SRAM/Shimano Road freehub bodies. Again, nothing revolutionary, but the expected standards are there.
At this price point for a carbon wheelset, Zipp’s lifetime warranty is a real plus. It covers manufacturing defects, but also structural damage to the rim occurring during a ride under normal use, including in the event of an impact or crash.
Do read the small print, though: wear parts such as spokes, bearings or freehub wear aren’t covered. Regular maintenance still matters, and Zipp notably advises against directing a pressure washer or degreaser straight at the bearings.
The Zipp 404 S looks very well placed for its market: a 50 mm carbon road wheelset with a sensible weight, a genuine warranty and an aggressive RRP.
It doesn’t aim to be the lightest or the most exclusive. Its appeal is more pragmatic: a credible gateway into a fast, modern and confidence‑inspiring carbon wheelset that can give a road bike a real boost without stepping into the very high end.
For upgrading your bike and riding fast on modern tyres, the Zipp 404 S could quickly become a benchmark in mid‑range carbon.
| Riding style | Road bike |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Weight (g) | 1590 |
| Hookless | No |
| Rim height (mm) | 50 |
| Internal width (mm) | 23 |
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