ZIPP WHEELS


2012 Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Wheelset

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There was a time when no self-respecting triathlete would ride anything other than deep-dished tubulars. However, with the advent of the Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Wheelset, the stark line between the deep-dish tubular and clincher just became practically invisible.

Not so long ago, the lightness and ride quality a pair of tubulars would offer made them the obvious choice for serious triathletes and even roadies who want to get the most out of their aero set up. But Zipp has changed all that with their Firecrest design. The Firecrest shape has made it possible for them to create a deep dish carbon clincher that is every bit as robust and aero as its tubular counterpart. Though Zipp first developed the Firecrest profile using their 404s, they quickly realized that the advantages offered by the design translated at least as well, if not better, to the triathlon-workhorse 808s. They found, too, that the Firecrest profile increased the quality of the ride and the durability of the wheel to the point that it encroaches on the strongest suit of the tubular domain.

What are the benefits of a carbon clincher wheel like the 808 Firecrest? Perhaps the biggest impetus to use a clincher wheel setup is the ease of changing your tire flat mid-race. Being able to change a tire could be the difference between finishing the race and having to find a lift home. Another huge advantage is something that Zipp took a lot of care in creating: they made mounting tires on the Firecrest rims immensely easy. Earlier iterations of Zipp wheels could have a maddeningly tight fit to the tire. Zipp recognized that all the aerodynamic advantage in the world means absolutely nothing if you’re unable to change the tire on the side of the road. Being able to make tire changes easily means that you can be much more flexible in your choice of tires from day to day, which plays and enormous role in your race performance if the day is rainy or the road conditions are; you can chose the proper tire to suit your needs on the day and effortlessly make the change.

Now that the Firecrest name is being thrown around as the savior to the top drawer wheetset, you may be wondering just what it means. It comes from the naming conventions Zipp engineers use when they’re testing different rim shapes – they give each new design, whether it is eventually used or not, the name of a bird. It just so happens that this rim, which was christened Firecrest, came back with such astounding numbers that Zipp quickly realized that they had a rim revolution on their hands.

The new design comes from Zipp’s belief that focusing on how the shape of the back half of the rim can become a second leading edge improves aerodynamics. Zipp being Zipp, this meant that they went through many iterations before finalizing the Firecrest. Though its profile may appear a little bland, it is anything but. The Firecrest 808s end up performing better than any deep dished wheel on the market. And they performed well across the board, regardless of tire width or wind direction.

Not only were the aero properties off the charts, it became clear that at critical yaw angles the handling became more stable than any Zipp wheel or any Zipp competitor’s wheel. The Firecrest 808s were easier to handle in cross winds than the old 404s, for instance By optimizing the back half of the rim, the center of pressure caused by the wind is pulled back behind the hub so that the crosswind becomes much more predictable. The wind essentially hits the wheel on the steering axis, taking away the lever effect that typically happens when the wind catches the front half of the rim. This makes the wheel feel like it self-corrects with little need for input from the rider. Saxo Bank’s Baden Cooke said that riding the Firecrest design felt like the wheel rode within the wind and not against it.

Aside from these advancements, the Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Wheelset also offers the VCLC vibration-dampening properties unique toZipp products to help give you as soft a ride as possible. Combined with the aero dimpling, you will be saving so much energy that by the end of a five hour ride over rough roads, you’ll still have enough snap in your legs to take the final sprint.

The Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Wheelset comes in Falcon Grey and Beyond Black in either Shimano or Campagnolo compatible freewheels. The front wheel weighs in at 820 grams and the rear tips the scales at just 120 grams more. 16 radially-laced spokes in front, and 20 laced 2-cross in the rear provide a nice balance of light weight, and toughness.

Please Note: Zipp's Tangente Platinum Pro and cork brake pads are designed specifically for use with their carbon clinchers. Use of brake pads other than these is highly recommended against and will void the wheel warranty.