The Ideal Balance of Weight, Aerodynamics, and Crosswind Stability at the Front

The Zipp 404 S Front Wheel is a 700c carbon road wheel designed for road racers, criterium specialists, and high-performance pavement riders who want meaningful aerodynamic performance at the front of the bike without the crosswind sensitivity that deeper front sections impose. At 50mm rim depth, the 404 S front wheel sits in the mid-depth aero category - providing the aerodynamic drag reduction of a deep-section rim while remaining stable enough in crosswind conditions to maintain rider confidence and control.

At the front wheel position, rim depth is a more consequential choice than at the rear. The front wheel governs steering feel and how the bike responds to crosswind forces - a front rim that is too deep for the conditions creates handling demands that accumulate as fatigue and distraction over a race distance. The 404 S at 50mm strikes a balance that road racers and criterium specialists can use in varied race conditions without being limited to only calm weather events.

This listing is for the front wheel only with 12mm thru-axle at 100mm front spacing and centerlock disc interface. The matching 404 S rear wheel with XDR freehub body is available separately. No skewers are included. A disc rotor is not included - the hub uses a centerlock interface, not 6-bolt. The wheel carries a Lifetime Warranty from Zipp.

50mm Depth, 23mm Internal Width, and Total System Speed

The 404 S front rim uses a double-wall carbon construction at 50mm depth with a 23mm internal width - rated for the 22 to 27.9mm internal width range and supporting road tyre widths from 28mm to 40mm at lower tubeless pressures. The 23mm internal width and TSS (Total System Speed) approach allows wider road tyres to be run at lower pressures for improved rolling resistance on real road surfaces - a meaningful performance factor on the varied pavement of road racing and criterium courses where surface irregularities cause energy losses that narrow high-pressure tyres transmit more fully to the rider.

At the front wheel the tyre width and pressure selection also affects steering compliance and feel - a wider tyre at lower pressure provides more lateral compliance and grip in cornering, which is particularly relevant for criterium racing where corner exit speed is a primary performance factor.

ZR700 Hub, CX-Sprint Spokes, and Front Wheel Aerodynamics

The front wheel uses Zipp's ZR700 hub with a centerlock disc interface and 12mm thru-axle at 100mm front spacing. The front hub has no freehub body - all drivetrain compatibility considerations apply only to the rear wheel. The 20-hole lacing in a 2-cross configuration uses Sapim CX-Sprint bladed spokes with the low spoke count providing aerodynamic benefit at the front wheel position where fewer spokes reduce the total frontal area disrupting airflow around the wheel.

FAQs

Is this a front or rear wheel?

This listing is for the front wheel only with 12mm thru-axle at 100mm front spacing and centerlock disc interface. The matching 404 S rear wheel with XDR freehub body is available separately.

Does the front wheel have freehub compatibility considerations?

No. Front wheels do not have a freehub body - all drivetrain compatibility considerations apply only to the rear wheel. The front hub uses a centerlock disc interface with 12mm thru-axle at 100mm spacing.

Why is rim depth more critical at the front than the rear?

The front wheel governs steering feel and crosswind response - a front rim that is too deep can create handling demands in gusty conditions that undermine rider confidence and control. The 50mm depth on the 404 S provides meaningful aerodynamic benefit while remaining manageable in the crosswind conditions of road racing and criterium events.

What tyre widths is the 404 S front wheel compatible with?

The 23mm internal width supports tyre widths from 28mm to 40mm within the rated 22 to 27.9mm internal range - covering the full range of road racing and performance road tyres typically used at this rim depth.

What warranty does the Zipp 404 S front wheel carry?

The wheel carries a Lifetime Warranty from Zipp.