One of the hardest things to explain to ourselves is how a heavier rim can be faster, even uphill. There are online calculators that can give a numeric value to the differences and prove the heavier can be faster -- if it's more aero. It's as if the weight doesn't count any more. Then again, we remember our first set of deep-dish wheels. They were heavier than our training wheels, but were definitely faster.

We bring this small matter up because the FP60 seems not-featherlight to us, but we read about how fast it is and know how fast the Zipp 404s are. 404s can be delightful climbing wheels, and we see the FP60s being the same. As with the Zipp 404 clinchers, the carbon fiber is not merely a fairing, but an essential structural element. And the structure is strong; it won't come apart at all—as with all Zipp clinchers, the carbon and aluminum are bonded via the M2CM process, which helps turn what seems to be a carbon fairing into an essential structural element on a light rim.

The FlashPoint saves money by going with more conventional hubs, skipping the dimples found on the 404's, and using less expensive spokes. The aluminum rims are bonded to a carbon fiber v-shaped structure that gives strength to the rim and an aero edge. Another difference between the 404 and the FP60 is the carbon layup; a Zipp rim takes 60 pieces of carbon fabric while a FP takes four.

The Zipp FlashPoint 60 has 18 front spokes and 20 rear. The front spokes are radially laced. The rear spokes are radial on the drive side cross-two on the non-drive side. The spokes are straight-pull, 4.2mm bladed custom-made by Sapim. The spoke nipples are internal and sit inside the carbon section of the rim. The rim is 58mm deep, identical to the depth of the Zipp 404. The widest point of the carbon rim is 22mm. Available as Campagnolo or Shimano/SRAM-specific. The wheels are hand built by Zipp in Speedway, Indiana. The rim weighs about 588g. The front wheel weighs 828g, the rear 922g for 1750g a set. Quick release levers are included with the wheels. A spoke nipple wrench is included with the wheels.