{{ data.msg }}

Your browser does not support all of our website’s functionality. For an improved shopping experience, we recommend that you use the most recent versions of Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Zipp ride essentials

Speed starts here. Zipp’s sole mission is making you faster, and we’re ready to help you get the most from your new wheels. Learn the basics of your wheels before your first ride, whether you need tubeless setup tips or want to find the perfect tire pressure. Choose how you received your wheels below to begin.

Do your wheels have Zipp AXS Wheel Sensors? Start here.

Related Image

Step 1: Identify how your wheels are set up


Your new bike came with tubeless-ready Zipp rims and compatible tubeless tires, but bike manufacturers sometimes include pre-installed tubes. Your Zipp wheels will perform best when set up tubeless, so be sure to remove any tubes before proceeding.

Step 2: Complete tubeless setup

Install valves


If you removed any tubes, you’ll need to install tubeless valves. Take your tire off and insert the valve stem through the rim bed and tubeless tape from the inside of the rim. While holding the valve stem down, slide the o-ring onto the valve stem and thread on the nut with the recessed side facing the rim. You only have to hand tighten the nut, as overtightening with a tool could lead to leaking. 

Inspect rim tape


Check the tubeless tape on the inside the rim for any tears or holes. Even a small cut can cause air loss. Should you find anything, you’ll need to re-tape the rim. 

VIEW TUBELESS TAPE MANUAL

Re-mount tires


Tires can be tight when attempting to mount them, so begin by spraying soapy water on the tire bead and inside the tire channel to ease install. If your tire has directional arrows on the sidewall, be sure the arrows are pointing in the direction of wheel rotation. Press both beads together into the center of the rim to prepare the beads for proper seating.

Inflate tires


You’ll need to ensure your tire beads are seated before inflating to your desired pressure. Remove your valve core to allow maximum air flow for seating. Pump the tires to 30 PSI to start and know it’s normal to hear popping and cracking sounds while tire seats. When the tire is fully seated, there will be even spacing from the tire to the rim on both sides of the wheel around its full circumference. If you notice uneven spacing, adjust the tire by hand where needed before reinflating and checking again.

Add sealant


Tubeless sealant serves a couple crucial purposes: It helps maintain the airtight seal between the tire, rim, and valve while also sealing any small punctures your tire incurs while riding. You’ll want to use the sealant manufacturer’s recommend amount for your tire size. Once you have it measured, either pour the sealant directly into the open half of your tire before mounting, or use a syringe to inject the sealant through your valve stem after mounting. Re-install your valve core and you’re ready to start pumping up.

Tech tip: To evenly distribute sealant into the sidewalls and tire bead interface, vigorously shake your wheel up and down. Repeat this process around the entirety of the rim by rotate the wheel 90 degrees as you go.

Related Image

Step 3: Dial in your tire pressure


Use the Zipp Tire Pressure Guide to determine your optimal tire pressure. You’ll input several key pieces of information like tire width, bike weight, and riding conditions to receive personal pressure recommendations.

CALCULATE YOUR PRESSURE

Related Image

Step 4: Bed in your disc brakes


Now that your tires are aired up and ready to ride, you’ll want to find a quiet parking lot or open stretch of road to perform the brake bed-in procedure before your first ride. Bed-in consists of controlled slowing to gradually heat the braking surface while evenly embedding brake pad material into the disc rotor. Proper bed-in reduces brake noise, allows for consistent performance, and gives you 20 percent more braking power.

Related Image

Step 5: Register your wheels


Both of your wheels have unique serial numbers that can be registered to activate your lifetime warranty, store your proof of purchase, and receive exclusive content for Zipp owners. Simply enter your serial numbers and log in with your SRAM ID to register now.

REGISTER

Related Image

Step 6: Connect any Tyrewiz sensors in the SRAM AXS App


If your wheels came with TyreWiz sensors, you’ll be able to see real-time tire pressure data in the SRAM AXS app and on your bike computer. Download the app to connect your AXS-enabled sensors to get the most accurate tire pressure readings possible.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TYREWIZ

Related Image

Step 7: Become familiar with our tire compatibility guide


Both of your wheels have unique serial numbers that can be registered to activate your lifetime warranty, store your proof of purchase, and receive exclusive content for Zipp owners. Simply enter your serial numbers and log in with your SRAM ID to register now.

TIRE COMPATIBILITY GUIDE

Related Image

Step 1: Select compatible tires


Your hookless rims are designed to be paired with hookless-approved tubeless tires, and Zipp works directly with many tire manufacturers to ensure compatibility. View the ever-growing list of compatible tires to find the optimal pairing for you.

TIRE COMPATIBILITY GUIDE

Step 2: Complete tubeless setup

Check valves


Make sure the nut on your valve stems is hand tight. Do not use a tool, as overtightening can cause air to leak. Plus, an overtightened nut will prove problematic to remove should you need to insert a tube during a flat fix. 

Inspect rim tape


Check the tubeless tape on the inside the rim for any tears or holes. Even a small cut can cause air loss. Should you find anything, you’ll need to re-tape the rim. 

VIEW TUBELESS TAPE MANUAL

Mount tires


Tires can be tight when attempting to mount them, so begin by spraying soapy water on the tire bead and inside the tire channel to ease install. If your tire has directional arrows on the sidewall, be sure the arrows are pointing in the direction of wheel rotation. Press both beads together into the center of the rim to prepare the beads for proper seating.

Inflate tires


You’ll need to ensure your tire beads are seated before inflating to your desired pressure. Remove your valve core to allow maximum air flow for seating. Pump the tires to 30 PSI to start and know it’s normal to hear popping and cracking sounds while tire seats. When the tire is fully seated, there will be even spacing from the tire to the rim on both sides of the wheel around its full circumference. If you notice uneven spacing, adjust the tire by hand where needed before reinflating and checking again.

Add sealant


Tubeless sealant serves a couple crucial purposes: It helps maintain the airtight seal between the tire, rim, and valve while also sealing any small punctures your tire incurs while riding. You’ll want to use the sealant manufacturer’s recommend amount for your tire size. Once you have it measured, either pour the sealant directly into the open half of your tire before mounting, or use a syringe to inject the sealant through your valve stem after mounting. Re-install your valve core and you’re ready to start pumping up.

Tech tip: To evenly distribute sealant into the sidewalls and tire bead interface, vigorously shake your wheel up and down. Repeat this process around the entirety of the rim by rotate the wheel 90 degrees as you go.

Related Image

Step 3: Dial in your tire pressure


Use the Zipp Tire Pressure Guide to determine your optimal tire pressure. You’ll input several key pieces of information like tire width, bike weight, and riding conditions to receive personal pressure recommendations.

CALCULATE YOUR PRESSURE

Step 4: Install your cassette and rotors

Cassettes and driver bodies

Your Zipp rear wheel features either an XDR driver body for SRAM AXS 12 and 13-speed cassettes, or a splined driver body for SRAM/Shimano 11-speed compatible cassettes. Depending on your drivetrain, you may also need to add a spacer before installing your cassette. Microspline and N3W driver body options are sold separately. Consult our cassette user manual if you aren’t sure what you have or need, plus how to install everything.

VIEW CASSETTE USER MANUAL

Rotors

Your Zipp road wheels are compatible with Center Lock disc rotors, making installation a breeze. Not sure which rotors are best for you? Start here.

Step 5: Bed in your disc brakes

Now that your tires are aired up and ready to ride, you’ll want to find a quiet parking lot or open stretch of road to perform the brake bed-in procedure before your first ride. Bed-in consists of controlled slowing to gradually heat the braking surface while evenly embedding brake pad material into the disc rotor. Proper bed-in reduces brake noise, allows for consistent performance, and gives you up to 20 percent more braking power.

Related Image

Step 6: Register your wheels


Both of your wheels have unique serial numbers that can be registered to activate your lifetime warranty, store your proof of purchase, and receive exclusive content for Zipp owners. Simply enter your serial numbers and log in with your SRAM ID to register now.

REGISTER

Related Image

Step 7: Connect any Tyrewiz sensors in the SRAM AXS App


If your wheels came with TyreWiz sensors, you’ll be able to see real-time tire pressure data in the SRAM AXS app and on your bike computer. Download the app to connect your AXS-enabled sensors to get the most accurate tire pressure readings possible.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TYREWIZ

Learn more

Tubeless and tire pressure tips

LEARN MORE

Wheel care and maintenance

LEARN MORE
FAQ

FAQ

LEARN MORE

Talk with an expert

TALK WITH AN EXPERT

LEARN MORE

Service

SERVICE HUB

LEARN MORE

01