Zipp ZR1 vs ZR1 SL Hub Bearing Difference
- Anthony
- Sep 7
- 4 min read
Zipp’s ZR1 hub family comes in three versions: ZR1, ZR1 SL, and ZR1 SL SP. At first glance, they look similar, but there are a few key details to know, especially if you’re replacing bearings. Zipp ZR1, ZR1 SL, and ZR1 SL SP bearings are mainly 6803 and 6903.
ZR1
The ZR1 hub is built for durability and responsiveness.
Uses 6903 / 61903 bearings.
Strong sealing, adapted from Zipp’s premium Cognition hubs.
ZR1 SL (“Super Light”)
The SL takes the same architecture and trims about 30 grams with a lighter shell and optimised bearing system.
Uses smaller and lighter 6803/61803 bearings (front, rear non-drive, driver body) and 6903/61903 (rear drive side).
Aimed at weight-conscious riders chasing race-level performance.
ZR1 SL SP
The SL SP is essentially the same as the SL.
The “SP” label likely indicates a special production variant, not a functional difference.
Quick Comparison
Hub Usage Across Zipp Wheel Models
Wheel Models | Hub Type |
303 Firecrest, 404 Firecrest | ZR1 |
353 NSW, 454 NSW, 858 NSW | ZR1 SL or ZR1 SL SP |
Zipp ZR1, ZR1 SL and ZR1 SL SP Bearing List
ZR1
ZR1 SL
ZR1 SL SP
Apart from ZR1 hub bearings, if you’d like to know the bearing details for other Zipp hubs, please see the following.
Zipp Hub Bearing Guide
Zipp 282 (Rear) and 102 (Front) hubs (1999–2001)
Front hub: 2 × 6900
Rear hub: 1 × 6901 + 1 × 6001
Freehub: 2 × 6901
Zipp 202 (Rear) and 84 (Front) hubs (2002–2005)
Front hub: 2 × 6802
Freehub: 2 × 6802
Zipp 182 (Rear) and 82 (Front) hubs (2006–2008)
Front hub: 2 × 6802
Rear hub: 2 × 6802
Freehub: 2 × 6802
Zipp Traditional 208 (Rear) and 108 (Front) hubs (2006–2009)
Front hub: 2 × 6802
Rear hub: 2 × 6802
Freehub: 2 × 6802
Zipp 188 (Rear) and 88 (Front) hubs (2009–2013)
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6803
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 188 V9 (Rear) and 88 (Front) hubs (2014)
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 188 V10 (Rear) and 88 (Front) hubs (2015)
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 30 and 60 wheel hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 176 (Rear) and 76 (Front) hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 176D (Rear) and 76D (Front) hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6903
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 177 (Rear) and 77 (Front) hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 177D (Rear) and 77D (Front) hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6903
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp Cognition V1 Gen 1 (2015–2019, Rim Brake Magnetic Clutch)
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp Cognition V1 Gen 2 (2019–2021, Rim Brake Magnetic Clutch)
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp Cognition V1 (2017–2021, Disc Brake Magnetic Clutch)
Front hub: 2 × 6903
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp Cognition V2 (2021, Disc/Rim Brake Sylomer Clutch)
Front hub: 2 × 6903
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp ZR1 and Cognition V2 hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6903
Rear hub: 2 × 6903
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp ZR1 SL (Super Light) and ZR1 SL SP hubs
Front hub: 2 × 6803
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp Classic Track hubs (1996–1999)
Rear hub: 2 × 6001
Zipp 282E Track hub (2000)
Freehub: 2 × 6901
Zipp Rear Track Freewheel 8SP & 282 Cassette Disc hub (2000)
Freehub: 2 × 6901
Zipp T2 Track hubs (2003–2015)
Front hub: 2 × 6802
Rear hub: 2 × 6802
Zipp 182 Disc hub (2004–2005)
Freehub: 2 × 6802
Zipp 182 Disc hub (2006–2012, Sub-9/840/900 disc wheel)
Rear hub: 2 × 6802
Freehub: 2 × 6802
Zipp 188 Super-9 Disc hub (2010–2012)
Rear hub: 2 × 6803
Freehub: 2 × 6803
Zipp 333 Track hub
Front hub: 2 × 6902
Zipp Current Black Disc hub 11-speed (2013–Present, Super-9 & 900 disc)
Freehub: 2 × 6803