So apparently I need to win the lottery … The SW version is similar to the Firecrest range with dimples and a lighter / higher-end hub (MSRP $2100USD). The S model has smooth walls and a 150g heavier hub (MSRP $1400USD).
Initial BikeRumor reviewer had a lot of flats, but may have been a result of having tire pressure too low and/or tire selection.
Plus the new 13-speed SRAM Red …
Believe it or not, $2100 for top shelf gravel wheels is actually a bargain.
If you are a tire manufacturer what internal width are you going to develop your tire for? It seems like the profile is gonna be different if it is run on a 21mm, 25mm, or 32mm rim.
If I were made of money, or won the lottery, I think I’d settle up on Zipp wheels across the board - 404FC and 303S for road, and 303 XPLR SW for gravel. I wish their 101 XPLR wheels were lighter, though, for a good set of climbing wheels. So I guess G25 or WeAreOne Revives work there.
Would also get the new 13-speed Red XPLR, plus a second cassette.
I like my Lauf Smoothie gravel bars, so would keep those, but might try the Zipp SL80 Race bars for the road bike.
Gotta win the lottery, though. 
Back to regularly scheduled programming … thoughts on 32mm internal width? I’m not an MTBer but have seen many posts about this being wider than most MTB wheels.
I think for tires less than 2.2 it will be less than ideal. I think I’d put a lower limit at around 50mm tire for off road.
Compare flat experience here:
Zipp Rolls Out Crazy Wide 303 XPLR Gravel Wheels and Zipp XPLR bars - Bikerumor
With flat experience here:
SRAM RED XPLR Gravel Groupset & Power Meter In-Depth Review (2024) (dcrainmaker.com)
Coincidence? Doubtful.
lol same! I always though dream kit would be Enve parts but having owned Firecrests and Zipp bars and other components I think Zipp has surpassed Enve for me. Especially since most of their stuff is cheaper but equal quality imo. Also feels good to support a Midwest brand being born a Midwesterner lol
Out of curiosity… In this game were money is not an issue why would you pick the 303s over the 303FC?
I have the 303s and I’m very happy with them but I would’ve thought the 303fc was worth the upgrade over the 303s.
Dylan Johnson and Silca have done some testing on wide tires. https://youtu.be/w3yspNTvVPo?si=RlMWolZwJjYKaFf8
I’d like to see more tests but it seems there are a lot of benefits and very few downsides (in the right terrain and frame of course). Compatible tires start at 40mm, so it seems they cover a good range for gravel.
However, you lose the versatility of 23-25 mm IW that can be used both on road and gravel.
Now, I’d like to see wheelset with similar widths and hooks so that it could be tested with 35mm road tires. I just want to see how wide we can go on road.
I already own a set of 303S and am super pleased with how they perform. If money were truly no issue I would get the 303FC.
Do you think it is the tires, extra wide internal width, or the combination of both? I’m a fan of “wider is better” but 32mm might be pushing it.
I thought we predicted this would happen last year in the tire stretching thread.
Ah, got it. Yeah, I’m very happy with them I wouldn’t pay the MSRP to upgrade them but I’d do the same if I was able to choose.
And to be honest, the main reason for me is that the 303fc have better hubs. However, that’s based on what I’ve read around but I don’t have any solid reason to think this.
At least according to the pictures in the Bikerumor article the punctures were on the sidewall. This is quite often a sign that the tyres are too narrow for the rims: the sidewall should not touch the road.
The 3T Discus 45|40 is pretty much exactly what you’re looking for
The new 303 XPLR wheels seem to be already available in many EU shops. I don’t plan to buy right now, but I still find it great.
" * *303 XPLR SW IS ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH APPROVED TIRES. The Goodyear XPLR Slick and Goodyear XPLR Inter are specifically designed and optimized for the 303 XPLR SW."
total killer there.
This!
These wheels are too heavy and Idk who would choose them over the Reserve 40/44 gravel.