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 | 30% lighter than steel bearings |
| 40% stronger than steel bearings |
| Near friction free - the lowest ball bearing friction coefficient ever achieved in any cycling application |
| Variance in size and sphericity of less than 1 millionth of an inch among each bearing set |
| Greater than 1,000 times more round than the best steel ball of any type |
| Calculated reduction in friction at 25mph of 0.8 to 1.0 watts ! |
ZIPP worked with technology partners from the aerospace industry to develop silicon nitride (Si3n4) ceramic bearings that are so finely balanced, they have an extraordinary maximum spin rate of 300,000 rpm under load. Manufactured exclusively for ZIPP and clean-room assembled in matched sets of 12 to 15 balls, they exhibit variance in size and sphericity of LESS than 1 millionth of an inch among each bearing set. Each ball is more than 1,000 times more round than the best steel ball of any type, grade, or benchmark.
On the road this results in a calculated reduction in friction at 25mph of 0.8 to 1.0 watts, or the equivalent of a reduction of 340 grams of static weight on an 8% grade.
ZIPP’s latest steel bearing technology has been used in all wheel sets since 2002. ZIPP Ceramic bearings are available as a premium upgrade or service replacement for all 1080, 808, 606, 404, 303, and 202 wheel sets.
| Set of two for front hub, $319.99 |
| Set of four for rear hub, $639.99 |
A front Zipp hub requires 2 bearings and a rear requires 4. Save by buying in sets!
Ceramic bearing research at ZIPP is delivering tremendous improvements in steel bearing technology as well. All steel bearings used in ZIPP 404 and 303 wheel sets have a total size and spherical variance of less than 10 millionths of an inch in each matched set of 12 to 15 balls. Compared to the previous standard of 50 millionths of an inch, the result is a significant reduction in friction. At 25mph a calculated reduction in friction equivalent to 0.4 watts is achieved. On an 8% grade this is equivalent of a static weight reduction of 148 grams. The matched bearing sets have a spin rate of 30,000 rpm under load. A custom formulated, specific to this use, barium-hydrocarbon, function-specific grease is employed at a 65 percent fill level rather than the standard 20%. To ensure maximum longevity, a Teflon self-lubricating retainer individually separates each ball to its optimum location. Twin double light-contact seals provide further protection, and precision polishing reduces friction to less than that of virtually any non-contact seal. Precise machining results in a 50 percent increase in bearing contact area while achieving a 20 percent weight reduction.
ZIPP’s latest steel bearing technology has been used in all wheel sets since 2002. ZIPP ceramic bearings are standard equipment in all the "Z" wheels. And, they are available as a premium upgrade or service replacement for all 808, 606, 404, 303, and 202 wheel sets.
