# Zipp 303 Firecrest vs Zipp 353 NSW

**URL:** <https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/zipp-303-firecrest-vs-zipp-353-nsw/84102>\
**Category:** Equipment\
**Tags:** wheels\
**Created:** [May 28, 2023, 12:40pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/zipp-303-firecrest-vs-zipp-353-nsw/84102 "2023-05-28T12:40:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cavinmckelvey](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/cavinmckelvey/32/85083_2.png) [@cavinmckelvey](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/cavinmckelvey)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 12:40pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/zipp-303-firecrest-vs-zipp-353-nsw/84102/1 "2023-05-28T12:40:57Z")

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My LBS shop is discounting zipp wheels. the 303 firecrest is on for 33% off and the 353 nsw for 50% off. works out to be a $1000cdn difference between wheels. Any thoughts on if the nsws would be worth spending the extra cash on?

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**Author:** ![mhandwerk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/mhandwerk/32/156397_2.png) [@mhandwerk](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/mhandwerk)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2023, 12:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/zipp-303-firecrest-vs-zipp-353-nsw/84102/2 "2023-05-28T12:48:54Z")

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The Firecrest is a more aerodynamic wheel than the NSW per Zipp’s own testing. However Zipp claims that when part of a whole system the NSW is faster. A number of people question the latter. There was a lively discussion about it on slowtwitch a while back:  
[https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch\_Forums\_C1/Triathlon\_Forum\_F1/New\_Zipp\_404/454\_1/4\_Watts\_Slower!\_P7539790/?page=unread#unread](https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/New_Zipp_404/454_1/4_Watts_Slower!_P7539790/?page=unread#unread)

The NSW should be better handling wheels, though I have not personally rode them