Zipp 2001
Encyclopedia
Zipp 2001 and 3001 were a line of bicycle
frames, now discontinued, made by the Zipp
company. While they have been out of production for 7 years, they are still considered one of the fastest time trial
frames
ever made, and still have a cult following within triathlon
, where they remain race-legal.
During the late 1990s, a number of "non-traditional" designs launched onto the market. While the Zipp 2001 may be one of the better known products, other frames made in this era included Hotta, Softride, Trek's Y-foil, and the Cheetah Cat.
announced that all non-double diamond frames would be illegal for road racing starting in january of 2000. This led Zipp to discontinue production at the end of 1997.
The existing component inventory was sold to one of the men who had worked on frame production, and the frames have not been produced since that time.
Interestingly, despite 7 years of development after Zipps were shut down, it still seems that there are few or no frames as fast as a Zipp. The production frame currently thought to be the fastest, the new Cervelo
P4, is, by Cervelo's own admission, slower than a Lotus (also out of production), while it was known in the 90s that Zipps were as fast or faster than Lotuses.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
frames, now discontinued, made by the Zipp
Zipp
Zipp is an American company that designs, makes and markets high-performance carbon-composite bicycle wheels for road cycling and triathlons. The company has expanded its product range to include handlebars, cranks and stems.- History :...
company. While they have been out of production for 7 years, they are still considered one of the fastest time trial
Time trial bicycle
A time trial bicycle is a racing bicycle designed for use in an individual or team time trials raced on roads. Special time trial bikes also exist for use in a velodrome....
frames
Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
ever made, and still have a cult following within triathlon
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
, where they remain race-legal.
Theory
The mid 1990s were a fertile time for bicycle designers. New materials (aluminum, carbon fiber) created a lot of new possibilities beyond the "double triangle" design of bicycle frames that had dominated the market. While steel was strong, it needed to be reinforced geometrically in order for thin tubes to be used; large, unsupported beams were impossible unless designers were willing to add pounds and pounds of steel to hold them up. But with aluminum and carbon fiber, newer, more creative designs became possible.During the late 1990s, a number of "non-traditional" designs launched onto the market. While the Zipp 2001 may be one of the better known products, other frames made in this era included Hotta, Softride, Trek's Y-foil, and the Cheetah Cat.
Timeline
The frame that was to become the 2001 was first shown in prototype form in 1990, finalized in 1991, and entered production in 1992. The Zipp 3001 (which was a 2001 with additional boron strips stiffening the carbon fiber) was offered in 1997. 1998, the UCIUCI
UCI usually refers to the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for the sport of cycling.UCI may also refer to:* United Cinemas International* United Kennel Clubs International...
announced that all non-double diamond frames would be illegal for road racing starting in january of 2000. This led Zipp to discontinue production at the end of 1997.
The existing component inventory was sold to one of the men who had worked on frame production, and the frames have not been produced since that time.
Successes of the Frame
While it was in production, it was widely regarded one of, if not the fastest bicycle frame in production. "Project 96", an attempt to create a US-only superbike for the '96 Olympics, fell into disarray when the data suggested that rather than building a new prototype then in tests, they should instead simply use Zipps rebadged as "US bicycles".Interestingly, despite 7 years of development after Zipps were shut down, it still seems that there are few or no frames as fast as a Zipp. The production frame currently thought to be the fastest, the new Cervelo
Cervélo
Cervélo Cycles is a Canadian manufacturer of racing bicycle frames. Cervélo uses CAD, computational fluid dynamics, and wind tunnel testing at a variety of facilities including the San Diego Air and Space Technology Center, in California, USA, to aid its designs. Frame materials include carbon...
P4, is, by Cervelo's own admission, slower than a Lotus (also out of production), while it was known in the 90s that Zipps were as fast or faster than Lotuses.