Although our pro cyclists and triathletes have nearly unlimited access to the latest technology from Zipp and other sponsors, many of them are decidedly old-school when it comes to equipment for their daily training grind. They requested a traditional yet race-worthy wheelset, and we delivered the Team Issue.

These wheels are built around Zipp’s 108 and 208 hubs, the predecessors to the 88 and 188 that we’ve introduced for 2009. Although the new model is slightly lighter and stiffer, the 108 and 208 are built around the same industry-leading technologies. We produce the rear hub internals using a wire EDM process that lets us machine50% harder materials at tolerances 20 times greater than standard machining and heat treating. Both front and rear include Swiss-made bearings two-and-a-half times rounder than the industry standard for steel and equally precise as many ceramic bearings.

The Team Issue’s custom-designed rims, also Swiss-made, have precisely parallel machined braking surfaces with Zipp’s exclusive brake wear indicators and single-wall eyelets that save weight and add strength relative to double-walls. CX-Ray spokes round out the package.

With all these high-tech features and a total weight under 1500g, the Team Issue is arguably as well suited to racing as it is to year-round, all-weather 5 hour training rides.