The Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher is all about speed and efficiency on the bike for road racers, time trialists, and most significantly endurance triathletes. Every aspect of cycling- from overall fitness, on-the-bike conditioning, frame design, clothing, helmet, bike fit, equipment, and so on are factors in speed and success. There are many variables, but wheel development and wind tunnel testing over the years shows a clear advantage from aerodynamic wheels. Yes, wheels are just part of the package, but a crucial player in both defeating and utilizing air flow to create speed. The best wheels also have bearings that reduce friction within the hub, excellent lateral stiffness for power transfer, a level of vertical compliance or comfort that eases physical stress on the body, and comprehensive aerodynamics that examine every aspect of air flow and drag. These include the overall construction and lacing of the hub, spokes, and rim, as well as the rim shape and relationship to the tire. Despite the primary requirement of speed, handling, and durability; rider comfort cannot be discounted.

The 82mm deep 808 Firecrest rim shares design and engineering with the famed 404, but with the substantial increase in rim depth- and subsequent shorter spoke lengths, additional technology was required deliver a durable structure that also wasn't uncomfortably rigid. High mileage on a harsh rear wheel in an aero position increases fatigue and adds physical stress, especially in the legs and back. Zipp's engineers use a vibration absorbing material within the rim's layer construction. This Visco-Elastic Constrained Layer Control (VCLC), reduces road shock and reduces vibration (from textured road surfaces) by 10%. This offers a substantial difference, as by the time road vibration also travels through spokes, hubs, frame, seatpost and saddle, the effect can be amplified. No other aero wheel this deep rides as comfortably as the proven aerodynamic 808 Firecrest.

Adding the VCLC qualities to the engineered synergy of aerodynamics, handling, stability, and braking of the 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher rim distances Zipp from the pack. The 808 Firecest has a wide stance that improves overall feel, handling and ride quality, with a shape similar to the 404, but is wider, with fully implemented specifics to the needs of of the deeper section rim. It has a 27.50 mm max rim width, with a 16.75mm 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 808 Firecrest rim have been well proven in the wind tunnel, on the lava fields of Kona, and in countless time trials, 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.

The new core of the Firecrest 808 is the 177 rear hub, which was engineered to replace the 188. This complete re-design optimizes the strength and stiffness of the machined aluminum body and offset flanges, allowing for greater tension with the 24 straight-pull Sapim CX-Sprint steel spokes and standard Sapim external nipples. A completely new bearing system was developed with higher grade steel sealed cartridge bearings with pre-adjusted pre-load. No need to adjust your hubs, ever. 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 177 hub is also more user friendly when swapping out freehubs, or changing to a SRAM XD driver. There is no need to re-dish the wheel for such changes. Whatever the freehub, engagement is smooth, immediate and confident.

There is a huge emphasis on weight when it comes to wheels. Zipp's wheels have always pushed boundaries, and weight is important to the engineers. However, Zipp's close working partnerships with pro-level cyclists and triathletes has taught the Indiana based company that efficiency and rider fatigue are even more crucial than overall weight. There is a point at which the lightest aero wheel sacrifices durability, resilience, and vertical compliance. The vast majority of deep section wheel riders are triathletes and racing cyclists. If you are competing in a full Ironman, you are faced with running a marathon after T2. You need to preserve your legs, back, shoulder and overall energy to attack the run, if not just to survive. Most cyclists race time trials as part of stage races, with a hard day on the bike after an all-out time trial. Your equipment helps you to perform, and recover, at your best. That is why the 808 still dominates high level events. The 177 hub raises the overall quality and increases performance, while superior aerodynamics, rolling speed, comfort, efficiency, handling, and durability set this deep section carbon clincher apart. With the convenience of clincher tire use, you don't have to be grizzled veteran of tubular gluing to ride the best overall aero wheels in the world. If you like and need this convenience, and still want to lay down personal bests or race for the win, the 808 Firecrest Clincher 177 Rear Wheel has to be your choice.