Given how long ZIPP been making the world's most aero wheels, designing an aero tire is so obvious that they were a little embarrassed until they did it in 2006. Zipp quickly made up for lost time with the Zipp Tangente, the first tire developed in the wind tunnel.
To cut through the wind, Zipp used their patented ABLC dimples to mitigate the "un-aero-ness" of a round shape at the wheel's leading edge. Taking 14 months and 2 trips to the wind tunnel to get it right, but the dimples will save you 1-3 watts, or up to 9 seconds over 40km. That's a big deal.
But the Tangente is not just a delicate special event tire. Thanks to Zipps partnership with Vittoria, the Tangente sports a durable yet supple 290tpi casing. Because the dimpled pattern resists cracking so well, they were able to use an exclusive an extra-light rubber compound for low rolling resistance and high cornering grip in wet and dry conditions.
The Tangente's 21mm width optimizes aerodynamics, cornering ability, and durability. Average weight 282g, /- 15g. 38mm, overall length, approximately 34mm functional length. Includes tire pressure chart to optimize rolling resistance by rider weight and front/rear use.
