Zipp 303 Firecrest for Grizl? (NWD)

Hey everyone,I want to share my full experience of choosing and upgrading wheels for my Canyon Grizl 2024. Maybe it will help someone who’s going through the same decision.
TL;DR
– Spent a long time choosing wheels
– Ordered from a German shop, they arrived with a few issues
– Added extra grease to the bearings — riding since then, all good
– Zipp 303 Firecrest ok norm

Story go!

1. Why I Decided to Upgrade
   I’ve been riding for many years, and at some point it felt strange that even with regular training, climbing wasn’t getting much easier. I know wheels — especially weight — make a big difference, so I decided to replace my stock aluminum DT Swiss wheels (around 2 kg).
   I spent a month reading reviews, comparing price vs quality, and figuring out what I actually needed. First I considered more budget-friendly mid-tier options. I checked brands like Scribe, Hunt, Yoeleo, Elite — reliable stuff, but I couldn’t make myself place the order.
   Deep inside I knew I wanted Zipp.Eventually I said: why am I denying myself this?So I chose the Zipp 303 Firecrest + white decals ^{_^}
   Why not the newer XPLR SW?Because I don’t want to pay airplane-wing money for a wheelset. Also, gravel riding is basically dead where I live right now, and I mostly ride in the city with 38 mm tires that work perfectly for me. So wider rims didn’t make sense. Especially in combination with edge sized tires.
   I got the Firecrest for €1100 and so far I’m happy.
   Why not 303 S?
   Because too weight and narrow.

2. Ordering & Delivery
   I found the best price on Bike24. Ordering was smooth as always — but delivery was a small nightmare.
   The courier arrived with a huge box: dented, torn, and with a greasy stain on it. Three bottles of sealant/lube were shipped together with the wheels.
   I asked to open the box before signing — he refused. Either accept and pay taxes, or reject. My ass caught fire, but I accepted it.
   At home I filmed the unboxing. The box was hot from the 40°C weather outside. One bottle had its cap broken and spilled half the box, touching the wheels a little. The wheels were wrapped in one thin layer of bubble wrap and lots of paper. For a €1000+ wheelset — terrible packaging. A bit more pressure and they could’ve cracked.
   The only damage was to the decals — probably heat or the spilled liquid. Annoying but not critical. Would not affecting my speed.

3. First Checks
   From internets I knew Zipp hubs sometimes have issues with bearings. They’re not the best sealed and sometimes fail early.
   So I disassembled the hubs to inspect everything. They looked okay, but I still added extra grease.The new wheelset was ~650 grams lighter than stock — a serious weight drop.

4. First Ride Impressions
   The first ride was mind-blowing. I immediately understood how my friends fly up hills. This was honestly the best upgrade I’ve ever made to a bike. Smooth rolling, noticeably easier climbing, and they look amazing — especially with the white Slik Graphics decals (+8 to speed, obviously).

5. After 1,000 km
   After around 1,000 km, I still think they’re great wheels and perfect for my use case. But here are a few notes:

   • A tiny bit of play in the hubs — barely noticeable
   • Wheels are comfortable but a bit soft; great for long rides
   • Harder to ride no-hands now — less centrifugal stability vs heavier aluminum rims
   • Lateral stiffness is lower than in stock wheels; in out-of-saddle efforts or rough cornering, the front wheel feels like it flexes a bit and then springs back
     Nothing critical, but worth mentioning.
     Photos of bearings before and after 1000km are attached. No dust or water inside. Even after few mud/dust/rain rides.

   Final
   My Canyon Grizl CF SL 6 AXS now weighs 8.6 kg (with pedals, bottle cages, non-stock carbon saddle, and non-stock thru-axles). Overall, until mine average speed not more than 35kmh, I’m satisfied with the upgrade.