With the specs on offer, the Zipp 303 SW wheelset looks to be an impressive all-rounder, covering everything from road to gravel and anything in between. Things like its rim shape, depth and low weight ensure an aero performance without affecting climbing or sprinting, and the price isn’t astronomical either. Is the tyre pressure monitoring system a step too far though for the amateur roadie?
Right, let’s kick off with this tyre pressure monitoring system as I reckon that’s going to be the make or break on whether this wheelset is for you.
Just like you’ll find on many cars these days, the Zipp 303 SWs have a small digital sensor where the valve sits which monitors the current tyre pressure. Zipp is owned by SRAM, so it’s linked to their AXS system (think electronic groupsets) and the sensor talks to the app.
You set your own preferred tyre pressure within said app and when you move the bike the sensor wakes up and gives you a reading and lets you know whether it is within the required range – a few PSI either way.
You can also link the sensor to compatible head units, which I did to my Hammerhead Karoo, but it also works with others like Garmin and Wahoo – in fact, any unit that uses Bluetooth.
If you can’t be bothered looking at a screen, the LED on the sensor gives you a visual cue with a green flashing light meaning everything is A-okay, while a fast flashing red light means pressure is too high and a slow flashing red light means low pressure.
2025 Zipp 303 SW – valve 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
As a system, it works well. In the last seven months I’ve had no false readouts, and the battery life is lasting well even with the wheels sitting in a freezing cold shed for the last couple of months. The batteries are the CR2032 coin type which are readily available and easy to fit.
Each monitor weighs around 15g and does nothing to affect the overall balance of the wheel. If you want to run an inner tube inside your tubeless tyre instead of sealant, you’ll need to use one of Zipp’s AXS Smart Tubes which costs around £40 online.
For me, it’s all a bit gimmicky, but I can understand its wider appeal, especially if you are racing. An early warning of a puncture could be critical if you have the luxury of a team car or you know you need to dart into the pits at a cyclo-cross race before it is too late.
2025 Zipp 303 SW – valve 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
If you ride a lot in the mountains, then it could also be an effective warning system. A slow loss of tyre pressure could cause you to lose control in a hairpin bend, or if it’s really hot weather the sensor could warn you of increased tyre pressure caused by the heat, which could help you avoid the tyre popping off the rim mid-descent – something to think about on the Zipp’s hookless rims.
None of those really affect me though, as I check my pressures before I leave either by way of a finger/thumb squeeze test or with a track pump. I also carry an electric pump when riding, the Muc-Off AirMach Electric Mini Inflator Pro, which has a built-in gauge.
If I get a puncture, I can usually tell pretty quickly as the bike feels squidgy.
Would I buy these wheels specifically for the sensor? No, but I would buy them for the wheels themselves…
2025 Zipp 303 SW – rim detail 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
The 303 SWs have a 40mm deep rim, so deep enough to boost the aero advantage, but not deep enough to add weight or create difficult handling in blustery winds. They certainly feel efficient when travelling at speeds above 19-20mph, in the same way that many competitors’ deeper wheels do.
They incorporate Zipp’s ‘golf ball effect’ dimples on the rim too.
These latest 303 SWs use a new carbon layup, according to Zipp, which is said to improve impact resistance by almost 10%.
Zipp says that the 303 SWs are optimised for tyres ranging from 30mm to 35mm in width and are compatible with rubber measuring between 30mm and 44mm thanks to an inner rim width of 25mm. They aren’t pure road wheels either with use for cyclocross and gravel also mentioned in their blurb.
2025 Zipp 303 SW – rim bed 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
One thing that will divide opinion though is the use of hookless rims. If you haven’t come across these before then it basically means that the lip that was always used on wheels to secure the tyre bead has been removed.
Instead, the pressure of the tyre is intended to provide enough grip to keep the tyre and wheel connected. The downsides are that you have to use tubeless specific tyres (i.e. no clincher/inner tube combinations) and you are limited to tyre pressures of 73PSI maximum.
Personally, I have no issue with the hookless concept as I have had no problems with it over the years, and I’ve probably used more combinations of hookless rims and tyres than most.
Zipp has a list of recommended tyres which are compatible with the hookless rims, and most of the ones I had lying around to try were on it.
2025 Zipp 303 SW – spoke niple (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
I found that fitting any of the tyres to the Zipps was a relatively straightforward experience. Two were 30mm in width and I had a set of Goodyears which were 35mm. All of them required plenty of thumb pressure to pop them on and the fit was secure without being difficult. The wheels come with tubeless tape pre-installed, and the tyres sealed instantly with just the use of a track pump.
The rest of the build is based around Sapim CX-Ray spokes with 20 front and rear, and Zipp’s own ZR1 hubs with stainless steel bearings. The rear hub uses 6-pawls in the freehub, offering 66 points of engagement, so pick-up is basically instantaneous.
2025 Zipp 303 SW – rear hub 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Freehub options include SRAM XDR and Shimano, with a Campagnolo option also available, but as a separate purchase.
Brake rotor compatibility is centrelock as opposed to a 6-bolt option.
Overall, I was impressed with the build quality and the components used. Everything was straight and true out of the box, and the hubs ran very smoothly. Neither has changed, even with around 1,500 miles covered in all weather conditions.
Lateral stiffness is impressive and with a weight of 1,442g on our office scales, including the valves, pressure monitors and tubeless tapes, I’d say the 303 SWs can be considered in the lightweight category. Zipp gives a claimed weight of 1,440g, so we’re well within tolerance.
On the whole, from a riding experience point of view, I was very impressed. Compared to other, similar wheels, I found the ride quality to be excellent with no harshness coming from such a wide and deep wheel.
2025 Zipp 303 SW – front hub (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Add the stiffness to the aero capabilities and this is one quick, efficient wheelset.
In the past I’ve been critical of the price of Zipp’s wheels, but that is mostly their higher end stuff where the marginal benefits start to decrease in terms of value. These are priced at £1,700 for the set though which I don’t think is too bad, although they are still up against some tough opposition.
> The road.cc Recommends Wheels of the Year 2025/26
The Fulcrum Wind 42 Carbon Wheels we recently reviewed are similar in depth and capable of a bit light gravel use, although they are a little narrower at 23mm internally. They are heavier too, albeit marginally at 1,534g.
If you want a wide wheelset that you can use for road and gravel, then I highly recommend the Gravel Carbon 40 Berd from Scribe. I reviewed these recently and was massively impressed with the ride quality thanks to the Dyneema spokes and they weigh just 1,334g. Scribe recommends tyre widths of 32mm to 50mm.
Hunt’s 44/46 Aerodynamicist UD Wheels have variable depth rims front and rear and are slightly narrower at 22mm internally. They are optimised for 28mm to 30mm tyres but will happily accept up to 50mm rubber, and they have carbon spokes too which give a great ride feel. They are hooked too, so you can run clincher tyres if tubeless isn’t your thing. The price is £1,579 and they have an exceptionally low weight of 1,297g.
At the other end of the spectrum, pricing-wise, are the Vision Metron 45 SL Disc Carbon Wheels which are for road but capable of a bit of gravel too. The rims are 45mm deep and 21mm wide internally with an overall weight of 1,400g, but they are pricier than all of the others at a penny shy of two grand.
I appreciate none of these also has tyre pressure sensors included, but you could add something like SKS’s Airspy TK valve for around £80 each or go with the Zipp AXS tubes at £80 a pair.
Conclusion
A great set of wheels all round, with no real drawbacks, for all kinds of riding from my point of view. The pressure sensors aren’t really a deal clincher for me, but with them included the Zipp 303 SWs are decent value against some of the competition, so they would still be on my shopping list.
Verdict
Well-built aero wheels for all kinds of terrain with a bonus pressure sensor
All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.
Make and model: Zipp 303 SW
Tell us what the wheel is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Zipp says: “Zipp 303 SW offers performance on all roads with SRAM AXS-connected in-wheel tyre pressure monitoring. Zipp’s 303 SW Tubeless Disc-brake wheelset offers superior speed on all roads, no matter the surface. Steeped in Zipp’s legacy of innovation, the 303 SW is a modern classic wheelset, fully capable of road, gravel, cobbles, and cyclocross riding. The 303 SW rim internally integrates the Zipp AXS Wheel Sensor for accurate on-bike tyre-pressure monitoring.”
It’s a well built, durable set of wheels that is capable on different terrains.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the wheel?
Size (wheels) 700c
Rim construction Carbon – Hookless
Tyre compatibility ISO/TSS Compatible tubeless tyres (30-44c) tube or sealant
Rim depth 40mm
Brake compatibility Disc (Centre Lock)
Rim – inside width 25mm
Rim profile Symmetrical
Rim finish UD fiber, adhesive decals
Hub ZR1 Disc Brake
Driver body type n/a, SRAM XDR, SRAM/Shimano Road
Bearings Custom Stainless Steel – 61903
Max tyre pressure 73psi/5.0bar
Max recommended system weight 265lbs/120kg
Spoke Length DS 272mm, 274mm
Spoke Length NDS 276mm
Rate the wheel for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the wheel for performance:
9/10
Rate the wheel for durability:
8/10
Rate the wheel for weight
8/10
Rate the wheel for value:
5/10
Did the wheels stay true? Any issues with spoke tension?
The wheels stayed true throughout the review period.
How easy did you find it to fit tyres?
A range of tyres fitted relatively easily.
How did the wheel extras (eg skewers and rim tape) perform?
All of the extras worked well. Good battery life on the pressure sensors too.
Tell us how the wheel performed overall when used for its designed purpose
A good aero boost, which makes them efficent for all kinds of riding.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the wheel
Loads of lateral stiffness.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the wheel
Hookless rims aren’t for everyone.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
They’re a bit pricier than some wheels that I’ve compared them to, but those don’t have the pressure sensors included.
Did you enjoy using the wheel? Yes.
Would you consider buying the wheel? Yes.
Would you recommend the wheel to a friend? Yes.
Use this box to explain your overall score
The pressure sensors are a bit of a gimmick for me personally, but they work and they just happen to be attached to a great set of performing wheels.
Age: 46 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month’s test bike My best bike is: B’Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,