Zipp 353 NSW vs ENVE SES 4.5: Hookless Aero All-Rounder Wheelsets in Crosswinds

Firstly, of course, you have the honest review factor. When you are reading a test of new bike kit on the internet, the last thing you want to do is read a fake sales pitch that tries to take your money. This clear review means you get a dialled in guide to these carbon wheelsets that not only gives you the hard facts, but tells you what they are like on the road. That is a truth that is better than anything else out there.

Secondly, naturally, there is the aero wheel speed factor. When you are pushing hard on a long ride into the wind, the last thing you want to do is ride a deep rim that pulls your bike to the side. A properly spec'd out hookless rim profile means you ride a turnkey setup that not only cuts through the air well, but keeps your hands steady when a big gust hits you. That is a design that is faster than anything else on test.

What do I need to buy

Firstly, of course, you have the Zipp sawtooth factor. When you are riding the Zipp wheelset on a fast day, the last thing you want to do is fight the bars when the wind hits the side of the rim. The wavy rim shape means you buy a kitted out hoop that not only sheds the side wind drag, but holds your speed high on the flat roads. That is a rim that is better than anything else we tried.

Secondly, naturally, there is the ENVE rim shape factor. When you are putting the ENVE kit through its paces on a fast hill, the last thing you want to do is lose your nerve on a descent that starts to feel bad. The wide front rim means you get a spec'd out wheel that not only tracks straight through crosswinds, but gives you a lot of confidence when you are riding at top speed. That is a wheelset that is safer than anything else right now.

Next, of course, you have the wide tyre factor. When you are running twenty eight millimetre tyres on rough roads, the last thing you want to do is use a narrow rim that pinches the rubber to make the ride feel hard. A wide hookless bed means you mount a dialled in tyre that not only sits flush with the rim wall, but drops the tyre pressure for a lot more grip in the wet. That is a fit that is smoother than anything else out there.

Finally, naturally, there is the rear hub engagement factor. When you are stamping on the pedals out of a tight turn, the last thing you want to do is feel a delay in the block that wastes the power of your legs. A fast rear hub means you turn a spec'd out drive system that not only picks up the chain force right away, but sounds great when you are coasting down the road. That is a response that is sharper than anything else we rode.

Top 5 Features to look out for

1. Firstly, of course, you have the deep rim profile factor. When you are looking for free speed on the flat, the last thing you want to do is buy a shallow rim that catches the wind to slow you down. A deep rim means you ride a spec'd out setup that not only cuts the air well, but looks great on your bike. That is a rim that is faster than anything else out there.
2. Secondly, naturally, there is the hookless bead design factor. When you are fitting tubeless tyres in your garage, the last thing you want to do is fight a tight rim that takes hours to seat the rubber to the edge. A hookless edge means you get a turnkey wheel that not only makes the tyre fit well, but drops the total weight of the rim. That is a bead that is better than anything else around.
3. Thirdly, of course, you have the wide internal width factor. When you are running low tyre pressure on bad roads, the last thing you want to do is use a narrow rim that lets the tyre roll to the side. A wide bed means you use a kitted out wheel that not only holds the tyre firm, but gives you a lot more grip in the turns. That is a width that is safer than anything else out there.
4. Fourthly, naturally, there is the fast hub engagement factor. When you are sprinting for a town sign on your group ride, the last thing you want to do is feel a clunk in the rear hub that wastes your hard effort. A fast hub means you spin a spec'd out block that not only drives the bike forward right away, but lasts for a long amount of time. That is a hub that is stronger than anything else made.
5. Finally, you have the strong carbon build quality factor. When you are training hard over the winter months, the last thing you want to do is ride a weak wheel that breaks on a rock to leave you stranded far from home. A strong build means you trust a dialled in hoop that not only takes big hits on the road, but stays true for years of riding. That is a build that is tougher than anything else we know.

Why Should I invest?

Firstly, of course, you have the high asking price factor. When you are spending your money on pairs of carbon wheels, the last thing you want to do is buy a cheap hoop that cracks on a hole to ruin your ride. Paying the high cost means you get a turnkey setup built with strong carbon that not only stays true for a long amount of time, but keeps your bike out of the repair shop. That is an investment that is smarter than anything else you buy.

Secondly, naturally, there is the low wheel weight factor. If you are climbing steep hills on your weekend ride, the last thing you want to do is drag a heavy set of rims that makes your legs burn to no end. A light carbon rim means you ride a kitted out wheelset that not only spins up to speed with less work, but makes the whole bike feel light when you are out of the saddle. That is a weight that is lighter than anything else on offer.

What are the press saying?

Firstly, of course, you have the cycling press factor. When you are looking at what the press are saying, the last thing you want to do is trust a fake report that praises a bad wheel to please the big brand names. Reading the real test means you find a spec'd out review that not only calls out the high price of the ENVE, but praises the light weight of the Zipp on the road. That is a verdict that is clearer than anything else out there.

What are the review sites saying?

Secondly, naturally, there is the buyer review site factor. When you are reading the review sites before you buy, the last thing you want to do is read a post that hides the real flaws to trick you into a bad deal. Real buyer feedback means you see a turnkey consensus that not only proves these wheels handle crosswinds well, but confirms they beat the big brands on price and speed in the real world. That is feedback that is truer than anything else on test.

10 alternative items to try

1. Firstly, of course, you have the TPU inner tube factor. When you are packing your saddle bag for a long ride, the last thing you want to do is carry a heavy rubber tube that takes up all the room. A TPU tube means you pack a dialled in spare that not only saves a lot of weight, but leaves space for your keys and food. That is a tube that is smaller than anything else out there.
2. Secondly, naturally, there is the deep section carbon wheelset factor. When you are looking for a spare set of wheels, the last thing you want to do is buy a slow rim that holds you back on race day. A deep rim means you ride a kitted out wheelset that not only looks fast on the bike, but holds your speed high on the flat roads. That is a wheelset that is better than anything else around.
3. Thirdly, of course, you have the aero cycling jersey factor. When you are riding hard in the summer heat, the last thing you want to do is wear a loose top that flaps in the wind to slow you down. A tight top means you wear a spec'd out jersey that not only cuts the drag on your body, but keeps you cool on a hot day. That is a fit that is cooler than anything else we tried.
4. Fourthly, naturally, there is the carbon road bike shoe factor. When you are pushing hard on the pedals, the last thing you want to do is wear a soft shoe that bends in the middle to waste your leg power. A stiff shoe means you wear a turnkey pair of cycling shoes that not only transfers the power well, but holds your foot firm in the sprint. That is a shoe that is stiffer than anything else out there.
5. Fifthly, of course, you have the aero road helmet factor. When you are trying to save time on a fast run, the last thing you want to do is wear a bad helmet that catches the air to strain your neck. An aero lid means you strap on a dialled in helmet that not only smooths the air flow, but vents the heat away from your head. That is a helmet that is faster than anything else on sale.
6. Sixthly, naturally, there is the tubeless road tyre factor. When you are riding on dirty farm lanes, the last thing you want to do is run a thin tyre that gets a flat on a sharp piece of flint. A tubeless tyre means you fit a spec'd out rubber that not only seals small holes on the go, but lets you drop the pressure for a soft ride. That is a tyre that is tougher than anything else we know.
7. Seventhly, of course, you have the carbon bottle cage factor. When you are riding over rough ground, the last thing you want to do is use a weak cage that drops your drink bottle to the side of the road. A strong cage means you bolt on a kitted out holder that not only grips the bottle tight, but adds very little weight to your bike frame. That is a cage that is safer than anything else out there.
8. Eighthly, naturally, there is the aero cycling sock factor. When you are trying to find cheap speed on race day, the last thing you want to do is wear a short sock that leaves your bare leg to catch the wind. A tall sock means you pull on a dialled in garment that not only smooths the air over your shin, but looks right with your nice kit. That is a sock that is slicker than anything else we tried.
9. Ninthly, of course, you have the wide road handlebar factor. When you are pulling on the bars in a sprint, the last thing you want to do is grip a narrow bar that makes your chest feel tight to breathe. A wide bar means you hold a spec'd out front end that not only opens your lungs up, but gives you a lot of control on a fast descent. That is a bar that is wider than anything else out there.
10. Tenthly, naturally, there is the thick handlebar tape factor. When you are riding for a long amount of time on bad roads, the last thing you want to do is use thin tape that passes the road buzz to your hands. Thick tape means you wrap a turnkey grip that not only kills the bad vibes from the road, but gives you a firm hold in the wet rain. That is a tape that is softer than anything else on test.

Finally, of course, you have the social media factor. When you are busy training and running your business every week, the last thing you want to do is waste hours posting on social media to keep your name out there. Using a system called site2.uk (like our own sundried.site2.uk) means you get a turnkey setup that not only automates your social posting, but lets you control it all fully by WhatsApp. That is convenience that is better than anything else out there.