Cyclist
Zipp ups integration with new SL 80 Race bars and Goodyear-made Vector R tyres
Zipp has announced new Zipp SL 80 Race carbon handlebars, designed specifically to fit with the latest SRAM Red AXS levers, offering more comfortable hand positioning on the tops and easier lever use in the drops.
The brand has also partnered with Goodyear to launch three new tubeless tyres with 30mm and 35mm widths and aero optimisation for its wheels.
The Zipp SL 80 Race bar is priced at £340 / $340 / €380; all three new Goodyear Vector tyres are priced at £80 / $80 / €90.
- Read more: SRAM Red AXS reclaims lightest groupset mantle and updates ergonomics
- Read more: SRAM Red AXS groupset review
- Read more: Hammerhead Karoo 3 has new internals and longer battery life
Designed for lever compatibility
Zipp’s latest SL 80 Race aero carbon handlebars are designed to integrate with the latest version of the SRAM Red AXS groupset, with features including a projection that’s aligned with the hose exit position on the updated Red AXS levers.
Zipp says that the bars will work just as well with SRAM Force, Rival and Apex AXS levers if you’re feeling less flush. It’s designed for road riding, rather than use on gravel and is also not compatible with extensions.
The SL 80 Race’s design is claimed to provide a more comfortable placement for your hands when riding on the hoods and the shape of the drops allows easy access to the brake levers. If you plan to install wireless Blips satellite shifters, there are markings to help you position these both on the tops and the drops.
The Zipp SL 80 Race bars’ aero shape includes a small downsweep from the centre, much like that of the Double Drop bars on the new Canyon Grail, to allow a more comfortable hand position. While aero bars typically have bare carbon tops, Zipp provides a heat-shrink non-slip grip that gives an improved hold on the tops as well as hiding the brake hoses and, if you’re using them, the Blips.
The new Zipp SL 80 Race bar is available in centre to centre widths at the hoods from 36cm to 44cm in 2cm increments, providing the narrower widths that are increasingly popular and which potentially confer an aero advantage.
The 5° flare to the drops and their 8° outsweep mean that the width at the ends of the drops is between 40cm and 48cm. The bars’ reach is 80mm and the drop is 125mm, and Zipp claims a 250g weight for the 42cm width.
There’s a lifetime warranty and the Zipp SL 80 Race bar is priced at £340 / $340 / €380.
New Goodyear Vector tyres designed to work with Zipp’s wheels
Modern aero wheels and tyres are increasingly designed to work together as a wheel-tyre system, to maximise the aerodynamic benefits available.
It’s an approach taken by Giant and its Cadex components brand, for example, in its higher spec aero wheels such as the Cadex 50 Ultra Disc and by Scott’s brand Syncros with its Capital SL 40 wheels, designed to work with 28mm Schwalbe Pro One Aero tyres.
Zipp has now partnered with Goodyear to launch the Vector Z30 NSW tyres, specifically designed for aero optimisation and the best tread placement with Zipp’s premium 353 NSW wheels. The tyres use a 150tpi casing that incorporates Goodyear’s short ply construction and dual angle bead, as seen on its array of 47 road bike tyres launched in 2023.
The tyres also include Goodyear’s Dynamic UPH rubber compound and R:Shield puncture protection breaker. They’re designed to be run tubeless and are available in 30mm width only, as they’re meant to measure precisely 30mm on the 25mm internal width hookless rims of the 353 NSW wheels. Claimed weight per tyre is 280g.
Meanwhile, the new Goodyear Vector Z30 SW and Z35 SW tyres share the same tech, but are designed to work as a wheel-tyre system with Zipp 303 wheels. They’re tubeless ready, with a 120 tpi casing. Again, they’re optimised for use with Zipp’s 25mm internal width hookless rims and, like the Vector Z30 NSW tyre, can also be used on the full range of Zipp wheel rims. Although designed to be run tubeless, the tyres can also be used with inner tubes.
The 30mm wide Goodyear Vector Z30 SW has a claimed 325g weight, while the 35mm wide Z35 SW tyre has a 365g claimed weight. All three new Goodyear Vector tyres are priced at £80 / $80 / €90.
Read our buyer’s guide to the best road bike tyres for our picks for your summer riding.
- Read more: SRAM Red AXS reclaims lightest groupset mantle and updates ergonomics
- Read more: SRAM Red AXS groupset review
- Read more: Hammerhead Karoo 3 has new internals and longer battery life
The post Zipp ups integration with new SL 80 Race bars and Goodyear-made Vector R tyres appeared first on Cyclist.