Goodyear Vector R Z30 SW Tires Review

Made specifically for Zipp wheels (but compatible with other wheelsets), the Goodyear Vector R Z30 SW tires are tubeless-optimized to deliver the maximum performance from either 353 NSW or 303 Firecrest wheels. With minimal tread patterns and an actual 30mm width, these tires are made for riding fast, but do have some drawbacks.

Goodyear Vector R Z30 SW Tires Features:

• Short-Ply construction and 120 TPI casing
• R:Shield breaker belt
• A durable tread cap with textured pattern provides traction in all conditions
• Dynamic:UHP compound. Improved grip, reduced rolling resistance, increased wear resistance
• Tubeless Complete, and Dual Angle Bead
• Bead construction and geometry ensure safe retention on Zipp rims
• Designed to measure 30mm on a 25mm TSS rim
• Weight: 320g (actual)
• MSRP: $90

A complete Zipp system

Zipp is no stranger to tires, but their lineup has always been limited. I’ve tested several sets of Zipp tires over the years — from road to gravel and clincher to tubeless. The G40 XPLR tire remains one of my go-to tires for mixed-surfaces. Going forward, Zipp has partnered with Goodyear to deliver perfectly-matched tires for the Zipp 353 NSW or 303 Firecrest wheels either alone or as part of their Ride Ready program. I’ve had the Vector R Z30 SW now for several hundred miles of testing aboard the Cannondale SuperSix EVO, so let’s dive in.

Arguably, I should have had the Vector R Z30 NSW tires to better match the 353 NSW wheels, but the added durability is great to have with the mixed-bag of road conditions I’ve been riding on. Using a 120 TPI casing and added durability built-in, the Z30 SW is made for “long distance riding with increased puncture protection and tread life,” which sounds about right for my needs.

Hookless rims and tubeless tires have garnered a lot of attention over the years and Zipp has gone a long way to help ensure compatibility and safety. While most modern, tubeless-ready tires should be compatible, Zipp also has a tested list of officially-compatible tires that work with their hookless rims. As a general rule of thumb, 30mm tubeless tires are the minimum you should match to a rim with 25mm inner width. And, as tires have gotten wider and wider, I say go for the biggest tire you can fit on your frame. Larger inner widths have made for fuller, more rounded tire shapes that provide the proper contact patch for both speed and grip.

As expected, the Goodyear Vector R Z30 SW tires do measure out to 30mm (well, 29.85mm to be exact) on the 353’s. That width has remained pretty much constant since installation. Speaking of installation, I hope you have your swear jars wide open because getting these tires installed is a chore. Proper fitment and bead contact does require a unique shape that requires the careful use of tire levers. For the record, I go to extreme lengths to avoid tire levers with delicate (and expensive) carbon wheelsets, but I had no choice with the Z30 SW’s. And, even with levers, it wasn’t an easy task. Inflation and seating was easy enough with just a standard floor pump.

It’s one thing to get the tires on the rim, but yet another to get them off in the field in case of a flat or to top off the sealant, but that was a problem for “Future Jason” to tackle. If you’re searching for sealant that can be inserted through the valves, my go-to for road tires is Bontrager TLR Sealant. It does a great job sealing tires and small punctures and can be squeezed through the valves.

The combination of Goodyear’s optimized bead, Zipp’s hookless design and sealant has yielded the best air retention of any road tubeless setup to date. Throughout the winter, I’ve gone several weeks without riding and have always been surprised at the minimal air loss I’ve seen. Typically, I would lose roughly half the tire pressure with other tire combos, but the Z30 SW’s would only be 5-10 psi lower than riding pressures. Speaking of tire pressure, SRAM has a helpful calculator for that too.

Onto the road

Admittedly, the 30mm tires look dainty compared to the larger tires I’ve been riding lately. But, they do offer the most aero-optimized tire for the 353 NSW wheels. I’m honestly surprised at the suppleness of these tires at a 30mm width. Certainly, the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS 30c tires are noticeably more comfortable, but they also measure out to 33mm, so I would expect them to offer more comfort. Again, don’t expect crazy comfort, but they aren’t harsh-riding.

For dry roads, I have appreciated the speed and grip on offer. With an optimized contact patch, everything works together for added speed and precision. But, that all came crashing down for me (literally) when I was caught in a winter rain storm. The minimal tread patterns on these tires aren’t ideal for wet roads and I found out the hard way as I laid the bike down on a descent. Luckily, I was taking the corner with caution, but the loss of grip left me with torn bib tights and road rash and a bruise on my hip.

There is a whole combination of road conditions, tire pressures, body angle, etc. that caused me to fall, but the bottom line is I lost confidence in these tires for wet conditions. But, when the roads are dry, the grip and handling remains predictable and reliable.

Truthfully, I’ve only got 200 miles on these tires, but they are just barely broken in and don’t show much wear at all. The center spews from the tire molding process are still noticeable on the front tire and just barely gone from the rear tire. I had no punctures or cuts in these tires — despite less-than-ideal winter roads. I even ventured into gravel and dirt and they fared well enough, but I wouldn’t want to ride on dirt for long with the minimal tread pattern on them.

Tire Pressure: I’m 178 lbs and using the SRAM calculator, the suggested pressure is 57/60 psi front/back. I tried to maintain that throughout my testing. For wet roads, they recommend 51/55 psi, but I didn’t have the guts to test my luck under wet conditions again. 

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