What are hookless rims and do you need them?

With the big wheel brands launching new rims with straight sidewalls, we ask whether hookless technology can benefit your bike riding

Zipp 303 S hookless

Zipp 303 S hookless

Before the 1970s, the only choice for racing was a tubular rim, whereby a tubular tyre would be glued on. For all other types of cycling the only option was ‘wire-on’ tyres, which had a rigid wire bead and were heavy and slow.

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