Zipp 808 Firecrest Tubular Front Wheel 18 Spokes - Black on Black Decal 2015

The 808 changed perceptions about deep-section wheels. At first, its 82 mm-deep profile appeared only in time trials and triathlons. And sure enough, its early incarnations netted numerous Grand Tour stage wins and Ironman® world championship at Kona. Still, it didn't take long before Zipp riders discovered that the 808s light weight, responsiveness, and solid handing are ideally suited to hilly bike legs, criteriums, field sprints and long days off the front of the peloton.


Now, with the new Firecrest rim shape, the 808 has improved in almost every metric. In fact, the 808 Firecrest is the fastest front wheel Zipp have ever tested. Its 27.5 mm-wide profile is 15 seconds faster than before over 40 km, and now equals or exceeds the performance of any 90 mm-deep rim on the market as well as many discs. At high wind angles, the 808s aero advantage is even greater, yet Firecrest also makes the 808 remarkably stable.

Essentially, the 808 Firecrest provides the speed of a much deeper rim with the handling of a much shallower one. On windy non-disc-legal course like Kona, that counts for a lot. And in Firecrest first crack at elite-level competition, Chris Macca; McCormack rode it to a win on the Big Island in  2010.With its wider profile, the latest 808 Firecrest Tubular also shows improved lateral stiffness for efficient power transfer and crisp acceleration, yet offers greater comfort and impact resistance than its predecessor.

New for 2014, the 808 Firecrest Tubular is built with a the latest iteration of the 188 rear hub, the V9, along with new spoke-lacing pattern for the rear wheel - refinements that result in improved stiffness and durability. The new hub was developed in cooperation of superstar sprinter Mark Cavendish of the Omega Pharma; Quick-Step Cycling Team and is in use by other top pro cyclists and triathletes including Pete Jacobs and Mirinda Carfrae.

Cavendish received early hub prototypes in January 2013 and logged 13,000 kilometers (8,078 miles) on continually refined variants, including his stage victories at the Giro Italia and the 2013 Tour de France. His feedback helped optimize the hubs flange geometry, stiffness and weight.

The new 188/V9 hub has larger precision Swiss steel bearings for increased durability. The new virtual 3 cross; lacing on both sides of rear wheel improves stiffness, achieving 3 cross stiffness in a 2 cross pattern with a new spoke geometry. The 188/V9 has 25 percent more torsional stiffness than a leading competitive hub. This measure of stiffness is crucial for the direct power transfer to the rear wheel for out-of-the saddle sprints and climbs. The new hub also is laterally (side-to-side) stiffer that its rival or predecessor.

New for 2014 wheels, the fully die cut matte White and matte Black rim decals are borderless, thinner and lighter.

11 speed compatible

SPEC:
Set Weight     1670g   
Max Recommended Rider     250lbs   

Front Wheel
Weight     750g  
Hub Used     88
Rim Depth     82mm   
Brake Track Width (center)     26.04mm   
Max Width  27.5mm
Spokes   Sapim CX-Ray   
Spoke Count   18
Spoke Pattern  Radical
Spoke Length  224mm
Track Adaptable  Yes
Dimpled Surface  Yes
Ceramic Bearing  Aftermarket
Nipples  Sapim
External Nipples  Yes

Rear Wheel
Weight     920g
Hub Used     188/V9   
Rim Depth     82mm
Brake Track Width (center)      26.04mm
Max Width  27.5mm
Nominal Tyre Bed Width  16.25mm
Spokes  Sapim CX-Ray   
Spoke Count  24
Spoke Length Non-Drive  230mm
Spoke Pattern Non-Drive  2 cross
Spoke Pattern Drive  2 cross
Spoke Length Drive  228mm
11-speed compatible hub  Yes
Track Adaptable   No
Dimpled Surface  Yes
Ceramic Beading   Aftermarket
Nipples  Sapim
External Nipples  Yes