Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Rear Wheel 2019

Zipp’s 808 Firecrest® Carbon Clincher is pure engineering science. It has to be. To achieve speed with an 82mm rim depth is one thing, but to be fast but also high crosswind stability, well, that requires serious attention to detail.

Yet that’s just what the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher accomplishes – speed with stability, what we call AeroBalance™ – which has made it a longtime favorite of triathletes, time trial specialists, as well as any cyclist in search of free speed. At Zipp, that search for aero efficiency is unrelenting. To that end, the latest iteration of the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher provides more speed, better control, and greater stopping power than its predecessor:

More Speed: Revised rim profile for reduced aerodynamic drag developed by our advanced development team in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Greater AeroBalance™: ABLC™ Sawtooth™ Technology, a complex dimpling pattern first developed for our top-level NSW wheel lineup. This technology helps reduce high yaw drag while improving crosswind stability. This helps to achieve the optimization of low aerodynamic drag and crosswind stability, which we call AeroBalance.

Better braking: Zipp’s ShowStopper™ textured braking surface delivers unrivalled rim braking performance in wet or dry conditions.

Lighter Weight: The 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher is 55 grams lighter than its previous iteration.

Every Firecrest rim is laid up by hand at our factory in Indianapolis, Indiana. Having engineering, manufacturing and testing under one roof helps us innovate more quickly while ensuring top quality. Optimizing the revolutionary Firecrest aero-rim concept for an 82mm depth and the distinct airflow pattern of clincher tires required us to evaluate a slew of minutely varied prototypes through CFD, or computational fluid dynamics, software and in the wind tunnel. At 26.4 mm wide, the final version is the fastest deep-section carbon clincher in the world. Yet, with a weight of only 1,830 grams, it more than holds its own on the climbs.

With Firecrest’s unparalleled approach to the wheel’s center of pressure, the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher also handles crosswinds with the stability you’d normally associate with a much shallower rim – making the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher ideal for non-disc-legal courses like Kona. Plus, the wide rim shape provides efficient power transfer along with comfort and durability, making it an excellent choice for just about any terrain and riding style.

At the center of the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher is Zipp’s 77/177 hubset with best-in-class durability and improved bearing protection with no pre-load adjustment needed. For those looking for a wider gear range, or tackling especially extreme terrain, we now offer our Firecrest Carbon Clincher wheels with a XDR driver body allowing for more cassette options including a 10-42. Optimized flange geometry and spoke hole attachment pattern with Sapim® CX Sprint spokes to optimize torsional and lateral stiffness and robustness. Includes quick-release skewers with a wider more ergonomic handle to provide more leverage for opening and closing. When closed, lever contours neatly with the frame.

Heavy continuous braking on carbon surfaces can cause spikes in rim temperature and tire pressure that impact performance and handling – especially with clincher tires. To solve this challenge, our composites supplier created a heat-resistant resin exclusively for Zipp. This technology improves heat dissipation so substantially that our Carbon Clinchers have never had a heat-related failure.

For triathletes and road racers seeking superior aero performance, stable handling, and the convenience of clinchers, there’s no faster all-around wheelset than the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher.

The Zipp Tangente R25 Road tire is a perfect match for this wheelset to deliver exceptionally low rolling resistance and high cornering grip.  

Each 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher wheel comes with Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads, Zipp Integrated Valve Extender with valve-core wrench, rim tape and quick release.

Specification:

• Max recommended rider weight (lbs):  250lbs
• Max recommended rider weight (kg):  115kg

Rear Wheel:

• Weight: 1000g
• Hub Used: 177
• Rim Depth: 82mm
• Brake Track Width (center): 26mm
• Internal Width: 17mm
• Spokes: Sapim® CX-Ray
• Spoke Count: 24
• Spoke Length Non-Drive: 236mm
• Spoke Pattern Non-Drive: 2 Cross
• Spoke Length Drive: 234mm
• Spoke Pattern Drive: 2 Cross
• 10/11-speed Compatible Hub: Yes
• XDR Compatible:  Yes
• Track Adaptable:  No
• Dimpled Surface: ABLC™ SawTooth™
• Nipples: Sapim® secure-lock
• Tubeless:  No
• Rotor Interface: N/A