It's not a stretch to say that more design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise goes into Zipp’s 88 and 188 hubs than goes into many high-end frames. The result is a set of features and a level of performance found nowhere else in the cycling industry at a weight of just 276g per pair.

Due to the force generated by modern quick-release skewers, we designed the 88 and 188 with the option to adjust bearing preload after clamping the skewer. The KammNut used to set the preload can then be rotated for an aero benefit that allows us to use an oversized 17mm axle that’s 490% stiffer than a 10mm axle with no additional drag.

Swiss ceramic bearings

We’ve also reduced friction by spec’ing grade 10 steel balls and ABEC 7 races in our sealed, cartridge stye bearings made in Switzerland. They roll more smoothly than many after-market ceramic bearings. If you choose to upgrade, the grade 2 silicon nitride balls specified in our Zipp Swiss ceramic bearings vary by less than 2 millionths of an inch. On an 8% grade, the reduced friction equates to removing 340 grams from your bike compared to typical bearings. To build a lighter, stronger, more durable hub body, Zipp has partnered with the world’s leading aluminum supplier to develop a proprietary alloy called Z310.9.

This material offers nearly twice the strength of 6061 aluminum and enables our unique Spoke Hole Impact Forming Technology that minimizes the chance of cracking around the spoke hole, which is the most common mode of hub failure.

To maintain the high precision of Zipp hubs, we use electrical discharge machining, a specialized process that cuts with an extremely thin high-voltage wire submerged in water. EDM allows us to machine 50% harder materials at tolerances 20 times greater than those allowed by traditional machining and heat-treating. The use of EDM means that Zipp freehubs engage more securely than any others in the industry.

The 88 and 188 feature contact seals that are effectively watertight when in place but can be removed to save roughly one watt. The hubs are produced in partnership with a local supplier of high-precision medical devices. The improved 188 hub, available in October 2011, was redesigned to move out the bearings to improve durability and create a 6 percent stiffer wheel built with the same spoke tension. The 88/188 hubs are offered in two colors, “falcon gray” and “beyond black,” across the wheel line.

The silver and ZedTech hub 88/188 hub versions are discontinued. Also of note, the rear 188 hub shell and axle are not compatible with the earlier silver version. The bearings (61803) end caps and seals remain unchanged.

Note: Free hubs are not inter-changeable in this model and require a purchased conversion kit with free hub, seal, spacer and hub specific end cap.