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The meanings of lightweightand aerodynamic have taken on extreme meanings in cycling. The Zipp 404 Firecrest Clincher 77 Front Wheel is perhaps the best example. The last half decade of fast paced development and wind tunnel testing has delivered new standards, and one major feature is the combination of added rim width with new shaping. There has also been an increased understanding that aerodynamics, strength, and durability can't be limited strictly by weight. Yes, light is good, but not at the expense of speed, control and efficiency. The wider, slightly variant width rim profile improves handling, overall stiffness, and greatly improves wheel control in winds at any yaw angle. The development of the stouter, improved 77 front hub with the straight-pull radial lacing pattern, has increased the lateral stiffness of the 404 Firecrest front wheel under load, delivering exceptional overall handling, even when cornering, yet helps the wheel slip through the air with minimal resistance. The 404 couldn't achieve those results and vastly superior aerodynamics and be much lighter, though at 755 grams, this wheel is still considered pretty darn light. At the heart of this impressive front wheel is the advanced hub.

The 77 front hub has similarities with the previous generation 88 hub, but there are substantial differences. A completely new bearing system was developed with higher grade steel sealed cartridge bearings with pre-adjusted pre-load. If that was the only change, most riders would rejoice, as the 88 hub adjustment system was sensitive and finicky. The 17mm oversized alloy axle system is stout and carries the incredible lateral loads achieved while sprinting, climbing out of the saddle, and on high speed, twisting descents. The 18 Sapim CX-Sprint steel straight-pull spokes and Sapim external nipples carry over from the 88 hub, but with slightly increased tension and pull from a stronger stiffer flange system. Spoke head access is behind the bearing cover for a clean, aero effect. The overall improvements in the front hub are not as major as the rear 177 hub, but the stiffness and bearing quality will still be noticeable to the in-tune rider.

The 58mm profile 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher rim has a wide stance that improves overall feel, handling and ride quality, but is shaped more like the 202 than the 303, so it isn't quite as stout as the 303. It has a 26.53mm max rim width, with a 16.25mm internal clincher bead width. Firecrest rims have a near-constant width from brake track to spoke bed to improve aerodynamics and better control airflow. Zipp used Computational Fluid Dynamics software analysis to maximize the aerodynamics of the rim and dimpled ABLC surface while minimizing wind-produced torque, resulting in a rim design that is faster and better handling. The airflow is managed over the rim and passes more cleanly over the tire, which has less of a bulb-like shape than if the rim was narrower. The aerodynamics 404 Firecrest rim have been well proven in the wind tunnel and on the road, yet it is slippery in crosswinds at any yaw angle, and still very stable in heavy wind for excellent handling confidence, with substantially improved braking. The brake track tapers to 24.73mm at the center, to ensure compatibility with most road braking systems. The braking surface features the molded in-groove technology that ensures excellent stopping power in wet, dry, or hot conditions. Optimal performance is achieved with the supplied Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads. The Silicon Carbide particles employed in brake track resin add extreme hardness, making the track impervious to incidental damage. This combination of tech is called Showstopper, and the results are impressive and effective.

Most road racing cyclists who run the 404 prefer the tubular version, but the labor and cost effectiveness of the Firecrest Carbon Clincher make the 404 an option for the serious enthusiast, and ideal for triathletes, many of whom don't have a garage full of wheels or much experience gluing tubulars. It also makes fixing a flat in an event easier, as a quick tube change in the unsupported triathlon world can get you back in the race. With the acceleration and speed of the 404, you might even make up the time as you burn off adrenaline. The superior handling characteristics of the 404 cannot be dismissed either. Again, not every triathlete has been riding deep section wheels for years. A few short rides on the 404 Firecrest will build confidence that the wheels will help the rider perform well in the wind. No other wheel company has Zipp's pedigree in engineering, experience, and event usage. You can trust the 404 Firecrest Clincher 77 Front Wheel to provide the advantages every competitor desires. At 755 grams for the front wheel (and 1690g for the set), speed, handling and pedigree come in a lightweight design with proven aerodynamics. Time to get rolling!