Zipp Speed Podcast: Recent Episodes
Zipp
ZippCast talks about the athletes you like, the bikes you want, the wheels you need. ZippCast is brought to you by Zipp Speed Weaponry, engineers of performance cycling products that are lighter, faster, stronger, and more aerodynamic than anything else available.
Jeff Winterkorn built his career on building bike parts. As SRAM’s vice president of global manufacturing, he oversees facilities worldwide. He’s been acting director of the Zipp factory and is a regular presence at our Indianapolis factory. Jeff provides keen insight into what makes for an efficient factory—it comes down to people. Jeff is famous for getting to know every employee and every department. We think you’ll love Jeff’s enthusiasm and find his insight into the Zipp factory fascinating.
Ride Ready eliminates the time and potential frustration of installing tubeless tires with sealant, rotors, and cassettes. The goal is to maximize rider convenience and the performance of your new Zipp wheels with new Goodyear tires and SRAM components to make you faster. First, select your wheels; Ride Ready offers two of Zipp’s most popular and versatile options.
Zipp’s new high-end carbon bar, the SL 80 Race, is designed for the new SRAM RED AXS, from placement of Wireless Blips to ergonomic touches that will keep you fast and efficient in every hand position. Get all the details of this new jointly developed bar with Zipp Product Manager Nathan Schickel.
In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we gathered top experts from Zipp to discuss our hookless wheels and the technology behind hookless and clarify two recent incidents in the pro peloton. We hope this podcast provides good information about Zipp hookless wheels and tires.
In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, Zipp product Manager Nathan Schickel and Senior Design Engineer John Leachman explain what’s new with the new Zipp Super-9 tubeless disc-brake road and clincher track disc wheels.
Learn the step-by-step details of how we make Zipp wheels. SRAM Indy Factory Engineering Manager Ruan Trouw describes the process from when carbon fiber arrives at the Indianapolis factory to when wheels are boxed up and shipped out. This episode is Part III of our three-part Zipp Speed Podcast series, which is all about how Zipp uses carbon fiber to design and manufacture its wheels.
This is the second episode of a three-part series all about carbon fiber. Part I looked at the basic properties of carbon fiber. Part II focuses on designing carbon wheels, and Part III will examine manufacturing with carbon.It’s time for Part II of our All About Carbon Zipp Speed Podcast Series. In this episode, Zipp design engineers Aaron Packard and Ben Waite discuss the potential and challenges of designing carbon fiber bicycle wheels. Aaron focuses on mountain bike wheels and Ben on road wheels. Also, please listen to Part I on the Basics of Carbon.
This is the start of a three-part series all about carbon fiber. Part I looks at the basic properties on carbon fiber, Part II focuses on designing carbon wheels, and Part III on manufacturing with carbon.Zipp is famous for designing and making deep section carbon-fiber bicycle wheels. But what exactly is carbon fiber? What are properties of carbon fiber? What is resin? Beyond bikes, what other industries use carbon fiber?For starters, this is how Merriam-Webster defines carbon fiber:Noun: a very strong lightweight synthetic fiber made especially by carbonizing acrylic fiber at high temperaturesalso : a material made from such fibers embedded in a resinous matrixCarbon fiber is the main material we work with at the Zipp factory in Indianapolis, so we wanted to spend some time talking about it. This episode is the first of a three-part series all about carbon fiber. In this opening episode, Zipp Design Engineer Manager Tess Denning discusses the basics of carbon fiber and what makes it both challenging to work with but ideal for high-performance components. Tess also talks about how Zipp’s engineering team literally went back to school, taking a graduate level course in advanced composites to provide a fresh perspective on their work at Zipp.
Go inside the wind tunnel where Zipp hones the aero efficiency of its wheel design. The Auto Research Center Wind Tunnel, just two miles from the Zipp factory, is a world class facility that focuses on race cars, scale-model semis and now (thanks to its partnership with Zipp) bikes. Such research is key to Zipp wheels. In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, ARC Chief Operating Officer Henri Kowalczyk tells us all about wind tunnel research.
From small town upstate New York, Curtis White has always thought big. He pushed himself in CX and in the classroom with an intense focus on honing his weaknesses. That approach provides balance on and off the bike. Curtis races on the Zipp 303 Firecrest Tubular and trains on the 303 S tubeless wheelsets.
Pro cyclocross racer Raylyn Nuss of the Steve Tilford Foundation Racing team is our first guest on the Zipp Speed Podcast in 2024. The former college basketball player loves the chaos of cyclocross. She recently finished third at the USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals. Raylyn is a fun and passionate advocate for CX and STF Racing.
In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, Zipp’s Dan Lee and Nico Deportago-Cabrera break down their five favorite Zipp accessories. So if you’re looking for quick ways to freshen your ride or your look, or you need holiday gift ideas, this show is for you. So sit back and get ready, it’s time for the Zipp Speed podcast!
Magnus (Maggy) Backstedt swung by Zipp's hometown of Indianapolis, so we grabbed our recorder to catch up with the big Swede. As we talked with him in his camper, his daughter, Zoe, rode training laps on the cyclocross course outside. The two are part of the powerhouse CANYON//SRAM Racing team, dad as director sporfit and daughter rider.Maggy—at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds—was a huge presence in the pro peloton in the early 2000s. In this fun interview, he recalls his momentous victory at the 2004 Paris-Roubaix and his early experimentation with wider tires and carbon wheels at Roubaix. Like Zipp, he was ahead of his time. Maggy, in 2008, was part of Zipp's determined drive to develop a carbon wheel tough enough to win on the cobblestones of Roubaix. He gives all the details. At the end of the podcast, Maggy reveals his jaw-dropping power numbers.
Skye Moench (rhythms with launch) finished a solid seventh at the 2023 Ironman World Championships in Kona. In this episode of the podcast, Zipp catches up with the Utah-based triathlete about her training and background in the sport. They also discuss the rise of tubeless setups in triathlon and the importance of wheel choice. So sit back and relax; it’s time for the Zipp Speed Podcast.
Zipp engineer Dave Morse first put TyreWiz on his bikes out of curiosity and a bit of novelty. Then as the miles accumulated, he realized its utility before and during rides. Dave pumped up his tires until TyreWiz’s LED turned green. He made minor tire-pressure adjustments to optimize speed, rolling resistance, and handling. He monitored potential punctures on gravel. For the launch of the new TyreWiz 2.0, we talked with Dave about this handly small device.
Learn all about the new 1ZERO HITOP SW and S wheelsets. The 1ZERO HITOP models are Zipp’s first XC wheelsets in almost three decades. The 1ZERO HITOP builds on Zipp’s success in MTB with the 3ZERO MOTO Enduro wheelset. Zipp offers two versions of the 1ZERO HITOP wheel: the premium SW and the dependable S.The philosophy behind the 1ZERO HITOP is simple: No longer is it good enough for an XC wheelset to be stiff above all else. Instead, a wheelset should feel alive. The 1ZERO HiTOP SW carbon rim’s design complies with the terrain thanks to Zipp’s proprietary HiTOP Technology for carbon layup. The result is a lightweight XC wheel that carries speed through all sections of the trail, rocks, roots, and ruts with dependable durability.In this episode, Zipp Design Engineer Aaron Packard and Zipp Test Engineer Brian Leathers explain the design, tech, and testing behind the 1ZERO.
If you’re a roadie transitioning to gravel, this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast is for you. Road riding and racing are excellent preparation for gravel events, but there are critical differences in bike setup, tactics, mindset, and nutrition. Zipp Content Manager Dan Lee talks with his colleague Jonathan Jacob. If you’re a regular listener to the Zipp Speed Podcast, you’ll recognize JJ as a guest on some of our more popular episodes. JJ works on SRAM’s Velocio brand and is a two-time national champion. He’s been on the podcast before, discussing criterium racing and his time spent in the wind tunnel. JJ is compelling and entertaining, providing valuable insights into cycling gear, strategy, and performance. He recently competed in Unbound in Kansas, so this is a perfect time to sit down and talk with JJ about transitioning from road to gravel. So, sit back and relax as we discuss the road to gravel.
Zipp caught up with Saint Motel Drummer Greg Erwin recently at the band’s (fabulous!) show in Columbus, Ohio. When we arrived, the band was in soundcheck getting ready for a sold-out show that evening. A Zipp ambassador, Greg had just finished a long bike ride shortly before we recorded this podcast. If you’re a fan of music or cycling, you’ll love Greg’s passionate approach to both. He’ll also introduce you a few of Saint Motel’s stylish and imaginative songs. The band’s sound could be described as energetic and stylish. As for bikes, Greg will explain why cycling keeps his life in balance, especially while on the road on his Zipp 303s.
Welcome to the finale of the Zipp Speed Podcast’s four-part series on our Total System Efficiency approach to wheel design. This episode focuses on the fourth and final barrier to speed identified by TSE, Vibration Loss. What’s vibration loss? In basic terms, the rougher the road, the more difficult it is to go fast. New hookless and tubeless Zipp wheels mitigate vibration loss and the other three TSE barriers to speed: wind resistance, rolling resistance, and gravity (or weight). Those who appreciate the science behind bike tech will love this episode as Zipp’s Dan Lee talks with Senior Advanced Development Engineer David Morse. If you love this, please also listen to the three previous episodes on Zipp TSE.
What’s the first thing you do when someone shows you a carbon racing bike? Likely, you pick it up to see how light it feels. Zipp’s Total System Efficiency (TSE) approach to wheel design and the transition to a disc brake allowed our engineers to increase focus on reducing the weight of rims as a component of speed. In this Zipp Speed Podcast, Senior Design Engineer Ben Waite explains in detail how Zipp reduced the weight of wheelsets by hundreds of grams and how that influences performance. He discusses how you can now use specifications beyond rim depth and weight to select the best wheel.
We’re back on the Zipp Speed Podcast for another in-depth interview on Zipp’s Total System Efficiency approach for wheel design. This episode is Part 2 of a 4 part podcast series on the four barriers of speed identified and attacked by Zipp’s TSE approach. In Part 1, we talked with Zipp senior design engineer John Leachman about wind resistance. In this episode, Part 2, we talk with Zipp advanced development engineer Ruan Trouw about the second barrier of speed: Rolling Resistance. TSE defines Rolling Resistance as Power loss created by the friction of the tires on the ground. It depends on tire performance but also tire patch and tire pressure. Ruan talks expertly about how Zipp engineers approach decreasing rolling resistance through innovations to rim design. He details what increases or decreases rolling resistance on the bike. He also talks about the balance required to optimize rolling resistance with other essential components to speed, including aero efficiency and vibration loss. At the end of our conversation, Ruan discusses how cyclists should consider rolling resistance when selecting the best wheel. If you have not already, please return to our last episode, Part 1 on TSE, with John Leachman on Wind Resistance.
Welcome to the first of a four-part blog and podcast series examining each of the four barriers to speed combated by Zipp's Total System Efficiency (TSE) wheel design: Wind Resistance, Rolling Resistance, Gravity (weight), and Vibration Loss. Each episode features a different Zipp engineer discussing one of these barriers to speed. First, Zipp Senior Design Engineer John Leachman discusses the importance of wind resistance. John oversees Zipp's wind-tunnel research and is an avid triathlete and runner.
Lessons of a Wind Tunnel Dummy When Zipp engineers head to the wind tunnel, they bring Jonathan Jacob along as their favorite test rider. Jonathan, or JJ as everyone calls him, is a SRAM employee and two-time national champion bike racer. You could also call JJ Zipp’s unofficial wind tunnel test dummy, as the model rider when Zipp goes to the wind tunnel. JJ embraces the role, spending more than 10 hours as in the wind tunnel in just the past four months alone. In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, Zipp content manager Dan Lee sits down with JJ and Zipp senior design engineer John Leachman to discuss lessons learned from all those hours in the tunnel. JJ breaks down what he can apply from the tunnel to time trialing, his specialty. John then explains how the wind tunnel is still a crucial tool in wheel innovation even as Zipp does more real-world testing and Rolling Road testing to realize speed gains through decreased rolling resistance and other factors.
NASCAR driver and Zipp rider Justin Allgaier stopped by the Zipp factory in Indy, so we sat down and talked about race cars and bikes. Justin competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet. He earned his 19th Xfinity Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2022. Justin’s pursuit of speed is a lifelong passion. He climbed behind the wheel of his first race car, a quarter-midget roadster when he was just 5 years old. In this conversation with Zipp Content Manager Dan Lee, he explains how cycling complements his preparation and training as a professional driver. Cycling also is a passion for Justin, down to analyzing the sport’s nuances and performance details. His favorite wheel is the Zipp 454 NSW.
This episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast is news you can use. Our topic is, “You have new Zipp wheels; what’s next?” As Zipp content manager Dan Lee talks with Senior Technical Support Specialist Alana Stewart, you’ll learn how to get rolling fast with your new Zipp wheels. As part of SRAM’s amazing Rider Support Team, Alana spends her days answering questions from Zipp riders worldwide. She’ll take us through the basics of getting rolling on your new Zipp wheels – tire selection, tire pressure, setup, and more as she tells us the most common questions she gets from riders. The resources Alana mentions today are on Zipp.com or Zipp’s Youtube channel. So be sure to check out those online resources.
We’re back on the Zipp Speed Podcast; we’re talking more gravel riding and gravel bike technology. In this episode, Zipp Product Manager Bastien Donze and RockShox Product Manager Jed Douglas. These two experts explain the key technologies behind the Zipp 101 XPLR and the RockShox Rudy XPLR suspension fork. Jed and Bastien then explain how the 101 wheelset and Rudy fork work to smooth the ride on gravel, saving the rider precious energy and preserving speed. This podcast is for you if you’re into bike tech or gravel riding. This episode accompanies a tech blog published on SRAM.com of testing on the 101 and Rudy in SRAM’s Indianapolis test lab. Please also check out Part 1 of this XPLR podcast series, where we talk with experience gravel riders Sarah Walter and Nico Deportago-Cabrera.
This episode of Zipp Speed Podcast is all about gravel. We talk with Sarah Walter of RockShox and Nico Deportago-Cabrera of Zipp about their experiences riding or racing gravel, especially when using the Zipp 101 XPLR wheelset and the Rudy XPLR fork for smoothing out the ride. This podcast is the first of two episodes taking a deep dive into two critical components of SRAM’s XPLR gravel collection, the 101 and Rudy. Each works to help tame the many washboards, stones, and bumps of gravel riding. The 101 and Rudy, primarily when used together, make you faster through effective vibration damping to smooth out the ride and reduce fatigue. This podcast accompanies a tech blog you can find in our show notes or on SRAM.com under the RockShox Technology section. Also, watch for Part II of our XPLR gravel podcast, where we’ll dive deeply into the 101 XPLR and Rudy with Zipp and RockShox product managers. But for now, we’re joined by Sarah of RockShox and Nico and Dan from Zipp. It’s time for the Zipp Speed Podcast!
SRAM Senior Race Tech Thorsten Wilhelms knows bikes and bike racing inside out. The native of Germany is a former pro sprint specialist whose wins include the Tour of Qatar and a tough rainy stage of the 1992 Tour DuPont. He's also a veteran of the six-day track racing circuit. These days, Thorsten is a technical expert keeping Zipp-sponsored athletes bikes humming. We caught up with Thorsten at the recent Ironman World Championship in Kona. This is a wide ranging and fun conversation about cycling of today and the bygone era of the 80s and 90s. Thorsten even gives a clever tip for traveling with your bike. Listen in to hear that and much more as Zipp content manager talks with Thorsten Wilhelms on the Zipp Speed Podcast.
The Zipp Speed Podcast was on location live from Hawaii’s Big Island for the Ironman World Championship. Our first of two podcasts from Kona is with country singer recording artist Ryan Kinder of Nashville. Ryan uses cycling and triathlon to unplug from the pressures of the music business and to dedicate his races to a close friend who passed away from cancer. He’s getting set for his first Kona .So sit back and relax, it’s time for the Zipp Speed podcast.
Shayna grew up in Roseville, California, as a runner and triathlete. She then focused on cross-country mountain biking, winning a national title in 2013. She also raced road and MTB while attending UCLA and is a certified USA Cycling Coach.
She is passionate about mentoring and inspiring others to lead healthier lifestyles and has hosted various community cycling clinics, including events on Native American reservations. Shayna is also a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, where she has family ties and where she hosted a group ride event back in 2018. In conjunction with these events, she and her fiancee, NFL player Eli Ankou, started a non-profit organization called the Dreamcatcher Foundation. This foundation empowers youth through sports, specifically football and cycling.
Welcome to the Zipp Speed Podcast and our third and final episode of our special Momentum for Cycling series where in Parts 1 and 2 we met two new African American cyclists, Mario Leavell and Olivia West. Now we meet Jennifer Cole Cvar, executive director of the Momentum Indy cycling races and festival in our hometown of Indianapolis.
Jennifer is on the leading edge of producing inclusive and invigorating cycling events that combine top level competition with community events that reach beyond the traditional cyclist audience.
To learn more about Momentum Indy, visit momentumindy.org.
So we now join Zipp’s Dan Lee talking with Jennifer.
This is Part 2 of our three part Momentum for Cycling podcast series. For these three podcasts, we take a look at grassroots cycling and how it’s changing to reach more people than ever. This series ties with Zipp’s support of the Momentum Indy bike races and festival and the Honor Major Taylor ride in Indianapolis. In this episode, we meet cyclist Olivia West. Oliva grew up in Northern Indiana playing basketball and working with horses. Now she’s passionate about bikes and how they expand and empower her life. Olivia also was inspired by visiting the Major Taylor exhibit at the Indiana State Museum. To learn more about Momentum Indy, visit momentumindy.org. So now on to the show with guest host Mariah Parsons talking with Olivia about all things cycling.
Thanks Olivia and Mariah for that great conversation. Guest interviewer Mariah Parsons currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is the host of two podcasts (Learn 2 Listen & Retention Chronicles). She is currently in the Orr Fellowship and works as a Marketing Specialist at Malomo.
We’re going something different for the next few episodes of the Zipp Speed Podcast. While we’re all about bike tech, we know cycling is all about people. Here at Zipp we’re excited to be part of SRAM’s commitment to expand cycling and make it more accessible to a more diverse array of people.
This episode of the Zipp Speed podcast kicks up a three-part series we’re calling Momentum for Cycling. It ties into a racing and cycling festival we support here in our hometown of Indianapolis called Momentum Indy. This festival includes the Honor Major Taylor ride presented by Zipp—a free ride dedicated to world champion and Indianapolis native Marshall “Major” Taylor.
To learn more about Momentum Indy, visit momentumindy.org.
In our three-part Momentum for Cycling series, we meet two new African American cyclists, Marion Leavell and Olivia West, and a visionary of American cyclist, race and event executive director Jennifer Cole Cvar.
In our first Momentum of Cycling episode, we meet Mario Leavell. Mario started riding bikes since 2000, and used cycling to transform his health. Along the way he became inspired by Major Taylor and became a big fan of LEGION of Los Angeles. Last fall he even traveled from his home in Evansville, Indiana, to California for LEGION’s Into the Lion’s Den race. Marion
So now on with the show with guest host Mariah Parsons talking with Marion about the power of cycling. Join us for episodes 2 and 3 of this special Momenum for Cycling series from the Zipp Speed Podcast.
Guest interviewer Mariah Parsons currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is the host of two podcasts (Learn 2 Listen & Retention Chronicles). She is currently in the Orr Fellowship and works as a Marketing Specialist at Malomo.
Zipp’s deep-section wheels, the 858 NSW and 808 Firecrest, epitomize our drive to make you faster. These two wheelsets are our go-to weapons for triathletes and time trial specialists.
Now, Zipp’s 858 NSW and 808 Firecrest pack even more speed thanks to the addition of our Total System Efficiency design with the hookless rim-tire interface. What’s more, each of these wheelsets is hundreds of grams lighter than its predecessor.
In episode, Zipp Design Engineers Ben Waite and John Leachman explain all that’s new with the 858 NSW and 808 Firecrest. They detail Zipp’s development and testing of the new wheel, talk about its carbon construction, and give practical tips for riders making the transition to Zipp tubeless and hookless wheels.
In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we talk with Zipp Product Manager Nathan Schickel about aerobars. We go through Zipp’s lineup of triathlon and time trial aero cockpits and clip-on extensions for road and gravel bikes. Nathan, also a bike fitter, explains Zipp’s “fit-first philosophy” in designing aerobars and lets you some of the specific bike models speced with Zipp aero cockpits. Dialing in your fit on a tri or TT bike is complicated, and this discussion can help simplify your decision-making as Nathan ends by running us through Zipp’s options at different price points.
Luke Lamperti of Trinity Racing, at only 19, just won back-to-back U.S. Pro Criterium championships. We caught up with Luke at the recent Tulsa Tough criterium races in Oklahoma. Luke focuses on racing in Europe, but he loves American crit racing, too. Luke has been riding Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubeless wheels while racing criteriums back in the U.S. Luke is wise beyond his teenage years, talking about cycling tech, tactics, and lifestyle. Luke grew up on two wheels. First, he rode motocross on his grandfather’s ranch and then bike rides in his native Sonoma County. Get to know this young cycling talent in this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast.
Triathlon technology is changing, and it holds the potential to make you faster. In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we examine innovations in tri bikes used by the pros and what they can mean for you. SRAM Racing’s Jason Phillips was recently at the Ironman World Championships in St. George, Utah. Jason works closely with SRAM and Zipp-sponsored triathletes to ensure their bikes are as efficient and fast as possible. He talks with Zipp Content Manager Dan Lee about tubeless tires, lower tire pressure, additional gearing options, rider position, etc.
There’s a reason Zipp is in Indianapolis – this midwestern city is a hotbed of motorsports and central to the age-old human quest for speed. In this special episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we take of look at the fascinating century old ties between bicycle racing and motorsports. That linage eventually would lead to the creation of Zipp Speed Weaponry more than 30 years ago, and still plays a role in Zipp’s speed innovations today. SRAM’s home of Chicago also played a central role in popularizing bicycles, as we will see. More than a century ago, bicycles were the fastest thing on wheels. Cars and motorcycles were trying to catch up. Consider this passage from the definitive book on the history of American bicycle racing, Hearts of Lions … US Census data indicates that America at the start of the twentieth century had 10 million bicycles, compared with 18 million horses and mules, and some 8,000 motorcars. One of the largest bicycle-making centers was a neighborhood in Chicago called Cycle Row. For nearly two miles along Jackson Boulevard, Cycle Row was lined with cycling-related stores and shops, most turning out bicycles with ready-made parts and fittings for shipments around the country. It may be hard to realize today, but bicycle racing is one of the country’s oldest sports. The first recorded competitions took place in Boston’s Beacon Park on May 24, 1878—two years after the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed, three years after the first running of the Kentucky Derby, and thirteen years before basketball was invented… We’re pleased to welcome noted cycling historian Peter Nye, author of Hearts of Lions: The History of American Bicycle Racing, to the Zipp Speed Podcast. Both Peter and Zipp content manager Dan Lee are board members of the US Bicycling Hall of Fame, with its museum in Davis, California. We think you’ll find their conversation about cycling’s historic links to motorsports fascinating. Please stick around for this episode, as Peter and Dan discuss more about the history of cycling, including the little known story of William F. Ivy, an African America who in 1909 finished 27th in Paris-Roubaix—he is the first American to ride the Queen of the Classis, and his result was the best for an American until Greg LeMond was fourth in the 1985 Paris-Roubaix. Peter also tells his fascinating journey into bike racing in the early 1960s and how cycling helped sustain him during the toughest times of his life.
Photo of Albert Champion on Orient tricycle holding a French engine, state of the art in 1900. Credit BuckPeacock. From The Fast Times of Albert Champion: From Record-Setting Racer to Dashing Tycoon, An Untold Story of Speed, Success, and Betrayal by Peter Nye (Prometheus Books, 2014.)
We love this conversation with Zack Foley, chief mechanic for L39ION of Los Angeles. Zack is a veteran team wrench with 17 years of experience, but you can hear the enthusiasm in his voice for being on the road with L39ION. Zack explains what it takes to be a team mechanic, from prepping the bikes to being part of the broader team culture. He also details the changing nature of road cycling tech, including disc brakes and tubeless tires. Zack also tells us why wrapping bar tape just the right way is so important—especially with white bar tape! He calls L39ION a team full of imagination and creativity, and Zack’s outlook on cycling reflects that.
Zipp Speed got a lot fast this road season with the addition of L39ION of LA to our roster of professional racing teams. We had the honor of visiting the L39ION team camp in California, where we sat down with team co-founder Cory Williams. Cory talks about the team’s expansion this season, including a much larger women’s squad, as well as the upbeat vibe the team works to cultivate among its riders, fans, and anyone else with a potential interest in cycling.
In this episode, we take a laser focus on Zipp hubs and how they are an integral part of how Zipp Wheels make you faster. Engineers Joachim Goebel and Martin Kehrer of SRAM’s development center in Schweinfurt, Germany, as well as Zipp Product manager Bastien Donze and Zipp content manager Dan Lee.
This conversation is designed to make it easier for you to understand Zipp’s wheel lineup and decide which Zipp wheel is best for you. We’ll go through the entire lineup and talk tech on each Zipp hubset and its German design:
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Have you checked out Zipp’s Making You Faster shows on YouTube? Be sure to do so, but only after listening to this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, where we talk with our YouTube host Chas Christiansen. Chas is a longtime bike messenger, racer, and all-around shredder. For our Making You Faster series on YouTube, he’s traveling the United States and eventually the world to introduce you to Zipp athletes, ambassadors, engineers, and more. We get to know them as cyclists and people – what drew them to cycling and how they get the most out of their gear. Chas rides their favorite roads and is up for almost anything on a bike.
Get ready to clip in and go from the gun! This edition of the Zipp Speed Podcast looks at the criterium racing. Crits are a mainstay on racing calendar in the United States and many other nations, including Germany. These adrenaline-fueled races require equal parts strategy, patience, speed, and skill. For this discussion, Zipp content manager Daniel Lee brings in two of his favorite “criterium monsters” who happen to be SRAM employees – Jonathan Jacob and Yannick Mayer. Jonathan, or JJ, is American and Yannick German. Each gives his perspective on everything criteriums. First, we talk all about bike tech for criterium racing. We go through every part of the bike, from frame geometry to wheel selection to handlebar size. JJ and Yannick also tell us how they approach tire size and width choices, running tubeless, and disc brakes.
The conversation then shifts to mindset and tactics for criteriums, and then finally, as the bell lap approaches in this podcast, Dan, JJ, and Yannick tell us their all-time favorite crit racers and races. We also contrast the differences between US and German crit racing. Crits don’t always get the respect they deserve – but one thing’s for sure, they’re a mainstay on the cycling circuit; they’re highly competitive and thrilling. So sit back and relax. It’s time for the Zipp Speed Podcast.
In this episode, we welcome Zipp senior design engineer Mike Vittorio for one of our most useful and informative tech discussions yet. Mike goes into detail on the feature and design of Zipp’s new generation of wheels featuring Hookless technology and our Total System Efficiency design approach. From there, he talks about how riders should go about selecting the best tubeless tire for their riding style, including information on tire widths and compatibility.
This episode includes specific examples of rider weights, tire widths, and tire pressures for front and rear wheels. Toward the end of the episode, Mike digs back into the science and reveals the counterintuitive science behind speed gains through wider tubeless pressures run at lower pressures. He then explains why, conversely, we still see high pressures run on the velodrome. We end with Mike telling about his how bike-tech “journey” and what he’s learned in his five years of riding and designing Zipp wheels.
In this edition of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we turn the microphones around and interview one of cycling’s most successful podcast hosts, gravel racer Payson McElveen. Payson is an intriguing model for a modern professional bike racer. He’s a Zipp athlete, ambassador, and test rider for new products.
In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, Zipp content manager Dan Lee sits down with Payson during his recent stop at the Zipp factory in Indianapolis. First, we discuss how Payson approaches his role as a test rider for the 101 XPLR and the 353 NSW Tubeless wheelsets. Payson reveals how he changes his mindset while riding prototype products to heighten his awareness of small changes on the bike from riding different setups. He also tells how his experience testing new products changed his preparation for gravel races and events. Payson also dives into many other cycling topics, including lessons from racing for collegiate cycling powerhouse Fort Lewis College. He ponders the blurring distinctions between Road, Gravel, and MTB… Where does one end and the other begin?
Also, Payson describes the cycling culture in his beloved adopted hometown, Durango, Colorado, and discusses his love of the NBA and why he thinks so many former professional athletes love riding bikes after their playing days.
If you love Paris-Roubaix, this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast is for you.
Zipp returns to Paris-Roubaix’s famed pavé of the Forest of Arenberg. Weeks before the 2021 Paris-Roubaix, we worked with MOVISTAR TEAM to compared the performance of the 303 Firecrest Tubeless with the 303 Tubular. Find out how tubeless is about making you faster.
First, Zipp Content Manager Daniel Lee talks with SRAM Racing Manager Jason Phillips to take you inside Zipp’s testing at Arenberg with MOVISTAR TEAM. Then Daniel sits down with Zipp Advanced Development Engineer Ruan Trouw to explain the design of Zipp 303 Firecrest Tubeless with Total System Efficiency and Hookless Technology.
This episode includes specific discussions of test results – wattage gains, tire widths, and tire pressures. We also discuss how cyclists everywhere can use this information to be faster on the bike, whether you’re on cobbles on not.
How do you select the best Zipp wheel for you? 303 or 404? Zipp Design Engineer and triathlete Ben Waite joins the show to walk you through the process of wheel and rim-depth selection. We discuss our wheel lineup from the 101 XPLR for gravel to the 858 NSW for time trials and triathlon. Ben explains the importance of evaluating a wheel’s rim depth and internal width, focusing on our two most popular models, the 303 and 404. If you’re considering a new set of wheels sometime soon, this show is for you.
In this special episode of ZippCast, we talk all about this inspiring accomplishment. Ashton and Zipp engineer Dave Morse discuss the technical aspects of the Super-9 track discs and tire pressure and the decision to ride tubular wheels. Then Ashton talks about the importance of weight training and, finally, Ashton’s partner, track racer Christina Birch, reveals the biggest worry she had when Ashton was going for the record.
Photo by Kit Karzen
The 101 XPLR is Zipp's first purpose-built wheelset for gravel. This wheelset smooths out your ride thanks to Zipp MOTO technology. Learn all about this new gravel wheelset from Zipp wheel product manager Bastien Donzé. He takes us through the features, technology, and design approach of the 101 XPLR. He also provides a detailed look at the Zipp ZR1 hubset. So if you're into gravel or cycling technology, you'll love this episode.
What is the method behind Hagens Berman Axeon's long used slogan and hashtag #proveit? ZippCast sits down with Axeon Sports Director Jeff Louder to discover what life is like inside Axeon (pronounced like "action"), pro cycling's most successful U23 development team. Jeff discusses working with young riders and the challenges of running a cycling team competing worldwide on a limited budget. Jeff also looks back a bit on his racing career, and we ask Jeff to name his favorite set of Zipp wheels.
ZippCast catches up with American Alexis Ryan of Canyon-SRAM Racing to talk about her life as a pro cyclist. Her dog Smoke even joins us, though she is more interested in napping than cycling. We talked with Alexis while in Tennessee for the recent US Pro Road Championships. She breaks down cycling strategy and how a year away from competition during the pandemic rekindled her passion for pro cycling. Alexis also contrasts racing in America vs. Europe and reveals what makes a cyclist strategically savvy. She also tells us her favorite Zipp wheel. There's something for every cycling fan in this podcast. Photo by Thomas Maheux
ZippCast is back on the road! This episode comes to you from the recent U.S. Pro Road Championships in Knoxville, Tenn. Today we meet one of the newer members of the SRAM and Zipp team. Anna Greetis is crazy about gravel riding and wrenching on bikes. She learned her craft in bike shops and now is working with pro athletes. Anna is a race technician for SRAM Road Racing—that means she’s the main contact point between Zipp and our sponsored pro athletes in North America. Anna talks about her roots in cycling and how she views working on bikes as an unending intriguing puzzle.
It’s May in Indianapolis, and that means the buzz of IndyCars are in the air. The Zipp factory, once in Speedway right next to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is now a few miles north. But you can still hear the race cars here some days. It’s something today’s guest notices when he walks into the Zipp office and factory. Simon Marshall is a Zipp manufacturing engineer who for years worked in motorsports. His experience illustrates the deep ties between Zipp and motorsports that go back to our founding in 1988 by a motorsports engineer, Leigh Sargent. Simon, a native of England, worked as a chief car designer of Gil de Ferran’s Indianapolis victory in 2003 and Buddy Rice’s in 2004. He was also part of the highly innovative DeltaWing concept considered for Indy car. When he interviewed for his engineering job at Zipp, he noted just how tightly Zipp guarded its manufacturing methods. Once Marshall was on the inside of Zipp, he saw how processes had been established over many years and adapted to new products. He was used to motorsports, where a small group would create a chassis. At Zipp, because it’s a factory producing thousands of wheels instead of a few specialized cars, the process had to be broken down into manageable chunks.
Learn about Zipp’s 353 NSW Tubeless Disc-brake wheelset from two engineers who helped design it. We peppered Zipp design engineers John Leachman and Ben Waite with questions about the 353 NSW in this fun ZippCast conversation.
Zipp advanced development engineer Dave Morse joins ZippCast to explain Zipp's use of "hookless" tubeless rim design for wheels including the 303 S and 303 Firecrest. The hookless, also called tubeless straight side, design is a vital component of Zipp's Total System Efficiency approach to optimize wheels for great speed. Dave takes us through the basics of hookless, from how the tire stays on the wheel to how hookless effects rolling resistance. The show starts off with Zipp design engineer Mike Vittorio providing an overview of the differences between hookless, traditional clinchers, and tubular wheels in a response to an Ask Zipp question.
Alana Stewart loves talking about Zipp. In fact, as a consumer specialist for SRAM, that’s her job. We asked Alana for some of the most common general questions she gets from riders, and we go through each. We also chat with Alana about her love of cycling—something we like to ask almost all of our guests. We hope this is a fun and useful episode.
Learn more about the home of Zipp wheels. In this edition of ZippCast, we get an inside look at the Zipp factory with Roberts Graudins. Roberts is the high-energy Director of Operations for SRAM Indy, which includes the Zipp factory. Today’s Zipp factory is an 80,000 square foot modern manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Roberts gives an update on how Zipp is confronting production challenges during the pandemic. He also discusses the complex process of making Zipp’s wheel designs a reality, ready to be boxed up and shipped out worldwide. Roberts also talked about his long history with SRAM and his love of mountain biking. We close with Roberts talking about his favorite part of the workday — taking an early morning walk around the factory floor saying hi to everyone he sees.
Road bikes and everything around them have gone high tech. Your bike now may be connected to your smartphone, and most likely you at least record and upload your rides. Tire pressure, once monitored by pinching your tire with your thumb and forefinger, now is tweaked and analyzed. In this podcast, we asked Zipp advanced development engineer Dave Morse what bike tinkering means to him today. We start off learning how Dave’s quest for the ideal pre – and post – ride Cappuccino ended with him building his own espresso machine. We then discuss how cyclists of all kinds can benefit by having a tinkerer’s mindset when it comes to everything from Strava and GoPro cameras to using 3D printers. Dave also suggests lessons that can be learned by riding the same route again and again—something many of us may be doing as we’ve spent so much time at home in the past year. So, grab a coffee, sit back and relax, it’s time for ZippCast…
We're back with Zipp product manager Nathan Schickel to learn all about our new look carbon handlebars, stems, and seatposts. We also discuss a new Quickview Integrated Mount and how it cleans up your handlebar and all you mount to it. Nathan also takes us through Zipp's approach to focusing on bike fit as a guiding force in designing handlebars, stems, and seatposts.
Eros Poli typifies the passion and emotion of Italian cycling. Perhaps you remember the big Italian in 1994 won the legendary Ventoux Tour de France stage. Eros is 6-4 (that’s 1.94 meters), the biggest man in the Tour that year. He also won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics for Italy in the team time trial. These days, Eros works for InGamba bicycle tours helping cyclists of all types experience their cycling dreams in Italy and elsewhere. InGamba provides its customers with dream bikes as well—Pinnarelos with Zipp wheels and SRAM components. Eros speaks passionately about modern and classic cycling equipment and Italian food and racing. He’s a fun personality and a great storyteller. So sit back and relax; it’s time for ZippCast.
We talk about the legendary cycling champion and Indianapolis native Marshall “Major” Taylor. SRAM (which operates Zipp) is supporting a new seven story mural of Major Taylor planned for downtown Indianapolis, Taylor's hometown. SRAM has a significant facility in Indianapolis, including Zipp manufacturing. In this ZippCast, we talk with Kisha Tandy who is the curator of social history at the Indiana State Museum. Kisha oversees the museum’s Major Taylor collection. She has studied Taylor’s life in detail. Today we honor the legacy of Major Taylor. Image Courtesy of Indiana State Museum
Road cyclists are making the transition from years of tubes and tires to running tubeless tires. All of Zipp’s new wheelsets are tubeless ready. For this episode of ZippCast, we provide you with the experience and insight of two bike industry pros who have discovered the benefits of tubeless. SRAM Retail Development Representative Mike Spilker is a former pro road team mechanic and cyclist. SRAM Dealer Service Representative Nico Deportago (day-por-tago) Cabrera is a Zipp athlete with vast experience on the road and gravel, including years as a bicycle messenger in Chicago. Nico and Mike provide plenty of practical tips, including what to do if you get a flat roadside running tubeless.
Zippcast catches up with Matteo Jorgenson of the Movistar Team. Matteo is a talented American pro living in Nice, France. He’s making the most of this shortened season, placing in the front group in Milan-SanRemo. He talks about his unconventional path to the World Tour, what it’s like for a young American racing in Europe, and—of course—he talks some cycling tech. Image by Getty Sport
In today’s Zippcast, we talk with Zipp Master Wheel Builder Nic James. This is a conversation not to miss—part bike tech, part cycling history…Nic takes us through Zipp’s history and its deep connection to bike racing. We even wander into a bit of wider sports history with Nic’s love of baseball and his visit to the nearby Louisville Slugger factory.
Mark Van Gemert, SRAM’ director of dealer service, joins ZippCast to explain Zipp’s new lifetime warranty. If you’re thinking about buying new Zipp wheels, bars, stems or seatposts, this is a discussion not to miss.
Zipp recently introduced the redesigned 303 Firecrest Tubeless Disc-brake wheelset as well as updates and a new look for its 2021 model year lineup. Zipp director of advanced development Michael Hall and advanced design engineer David Morse join the show today to discuss in detail the technical approach behind the new 303 Firecrest. This new technology approach is called Total System Efficiency™, or TSE. It is based on a simple premise – that efficiency equals speed. Also, Michael and Dave talk about Zipp’s new look and what it’s been like in the Indianapolis factory as wheels are made now alongside protective masks and gowns for local hospitals. So, sit back relax – it’s time for ZippCast.
English Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster joins us on this edition of ZippCast. We caught up with Ben, who is shot stopper for Watford, before he rejoins the team for training. He talks about his love of cycling and how he uses the bike to stay fit. Ben also gives us a taste of what it’s like to guard the net against the best soccer players in the world. Zipp brand manager Declan Doyle, a huge soccer fan, joins the discussion.
Zipp’s 303 S Tubeless Disc-brake wheelset is designed for all roads ahead. Today on ZippCast, we learn all about this versatile and fast new wheelset from Zipp Product Manager Bastien Donzé and Design Engineer Mike Vittorio. We talk rim width and design, rolling resistance, tire pressure, pricing, a lifetime warranty and more.
Zipp Product Manager Nathan Schickel joins ZippCast to discuss two recent product launches, Vuka Shift AXS 90 shift system/aero extension and Silver Service Course handlebars, stems, and seatposts.
In this Zippcast, we talk with basketball great Darnell “Dr. Dunk” Hillman of the Indiana Pacers. Darnell, 70, works as the Pacers’ Director of Camps and Clinics and Alumni Relations. In recent years, he’s become a Zipp ambassador as he’s rediscovered the benefits of cycling.
Zippcast is back for 2020 with an interview with our newest pro team, MOVISTAR. Patxi Vila, head of performance for MOVISTAR TEAM, has had an impressive career as a rider and coach. He takes an analytical and patient approach to developing riders and optimizing performance. We talked with Patxi at MOVISTAR’s recent team camp in Mallorca about his work and vision for the team.
Zipp engineer Dave Schweikert's recording setting day of riding round and round a roundtable for 24 hours, all to raise money for World Bicycle Relieve. And to do something crazy on a bike. He talks about his love of pushing limits on the bike.
Zipp engineer Mike Vittorio digs deep into how riders of all types can optimize their tire pressure.
Squid Bikes co-founder Emily Kachorek talks with ZippCast about bringing a bit of surf and skate culture to bike riding. She was a pro racer but emphasizes for fun and creative side of cycling, and that includes pick-up races. If you’ve seen Squid’s bikes before, you’ll immediately see this approach. We think you’ll enjoy listening to the vision behind the Squid brand. We chatted with Emily while she was in Yorkshire, England, helping to lead group rides for SRAM.
ZippCast caught up with retired star sprinter Robbie McEwen of Australia at the recent UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire. Robbie, now a SRAM and Zipp ambassador, was in England helping to lead group road and gravel rides for SRAM. We talked with the three-time Tour de France green jersey winner (and 12 time stage winner) about his career and current trends in cycling.
For today’s final ZIppCast live from Island Lava Java in Kona we talk to two guys who love speed, Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan and Zipp wheel design engineer Ben Waite. We put up the conversation with Tony talking about riding the entire 112 mile bike course on the Queen K before recording this podcast, and then just into a great conversation on the passion and speed at the intersection of motorsports and cycling. Also remember to listen to our previous Island Lava Jaca ZippCasts with Kona winners Mirinda Carfrae and Sebastian Kienle.
Zipp talks with three time Kona camp Mirinda Carfrae from upstairs at Kona’s famous Island Lava Java café. Mirinda starts off by talking about her preparations for this year’s Kona World Championship.
Zipp Product Manager Nathan Schickel discusses the design and benefits of the Service Course 70 XPLR and lighter Service Course SL 70 XPLR handlebars.
We’re headed to the mountains of British Columbia for this special edition of ZippCast. Zipp wheel product manager Bastien Donzé was at Crankworx Whistler, where he sat down with Enduro World Series star Adrien Dailly (Da-lee) and his mechanic, Craig Miller, to talk about the development and testing of 3ZERO MOTO.
Today is all about a roadie going gravel. Zipp wheel category manager Jason Fowler, a dedicated roadie who now loves gravel, gives tips on equipment choices and mental mindset for conquering your next (or your first) off-pavement road adventure.
Zipp advanced development engineer David Morse reveals our approach for aero testing. How we use the wind tunnel, computer simulations, and real-world riding to evaluate the aero efficiency and stability of our wheels. He also gives tips on wheel selection and how to reduce your aero drag on the bike. We also debut our new Ask ZippCast segment where we answer your questions.
We’re talking dream bikes. What’s your dream bike and why? SRAM super tech Danie Lategan recently built a dream bike for filmmaker Gee (pronounced “G”) Milner, a Scott Addict with Zipp NSW and SRAM RED eTap AXS. We talk through each decisions of how to build up this bike and what it can mean for you in building the bike of your dreams.
If you own Zipp wheels, this is a podcast for you. Zipp’s new Trade In/Speed Up program is a great way for current Zipp owners to upgrade to the latest models of Zipp Speed. Get the details from Zipp’s Brett Stewart in this new Zippcast.
ZippCast goes back to school! We recently had the pleasure of hosting middle school science teachers Andy Simon and Sean McVey from Clay Middle School in Carmel, Ind. These guys love cycling and, after years of persistent applications, were awarded a grant to look at the role of physics in bike racing. They have an Instagram account, @2touringteachers, followed by hundreds of kids and are planning cycling-related lessons for the next school year. They’re headed to this year’s Tour de France as a capstone of their project. We think you’ll love their enthusiasm for the Tour, science and teaching kids about cycling.
CANYON//SRAM Racing is on the leading edge of professional road teams adopting tubeless tires for competition. Team mechanic Arne Kenzler tells us about the transition and gives tips for roadies thinking about going tubeless.
Road bike technology is changing faster than a Tour de France field sprint. Jason Phillips, SRAM (and Zipp’s) tech liaison to the pros, gives the inside scoop of how pros are adopting new technology such at disc brakes and tubeless tires as well as their overall approach to making their machines as fast as possible.
Brooklyn bike shop owner Shawn Wolf collects vintage Zipp like it's fine art. The Coors Light cycling team? He loves them, too. In fact, Shawn is obsessed with the neon-colored crazy innovations of 1990s cycling. We tie the past in with the present in this episode of ZippCast.
Learn about the dangers of counterfeit wheels and all that goes on at our factory in Indy to create authentic Zipp Speed Weaponry.
Zipp wheel design engineer Ben Waite breaks down what you need to know to select the best wheel and rim depth for you.
Zippcast talks with Zipp Advanced Design Engineer Ruan Trouw and SRAM Technical Ambassador Micah Van Horn about the new Zipp 3ZERO MOTO enduo wheel.