Head to head
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51vsZipp 303 Firecrest
Both sections drawn to one scale, from each maker's published geometry. The differences you can see in the drawing are the differences that exist.
vs
Fig. — rim sections, one scale
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51Zipp 303 Firecrest
- Depth
- 11 mm apart
- 51 vs 40 mm
- External
- 1 mm apart
- 31 vs 30 mm
- Internal
- 2 mm apart
- 23 vs 25 mm
- Claimed weight
- 100 g apart
- 1,450 vs 1,350 g
- UK RRP
- £400 apart
- £2,200 vs £1,800
Rim depth
51 mm
40 mm
11 mm apart. Deeper is faster on the flat; shallower is calmer in crosswind and lighter uphill. Neither is simply better.
Internal width
23 mm
25 mm
The wider rim is built around a wider tyre. Match this to the tyre you actually run, not to the bigger number.
External width
31 mm
30 mm
Governs how the rim and tyre meet the air, and frame clearance.
Bontrager
Aeolus RSL 51
RRP £2,200
UCI mass-start road
Eligible — Eligible on the rules we assess
Zipp
303 Firecrest
RRP £1,800
UCI mass-start road
Eligible — Eligible on rim height; tyre choice is restricted