Optimizing wheels to perform with precision and control at the deep depth of the 808 Firecrest® Tubular is pure engineering science. While the 808 Firecrest’s aerodynamics and stability are proven every weekend in road races, triathlons and time trials around the world, understanding how profoundly good these wheels are only comes from riding the wheel that, as a set, has proven faster than any other.
Optimizing the revolutionary Firecrest aero-rim concept for an 82mm depth required us to evaluate a slew of minutely varied prototypes through CFD, or computational fluid dynamics, software and in the wind tunnel. At 27.5mm wide, the final version is the fastest deep-section carbon rim in the world. Yet, with a weight of only 552 grams per rim, it more than holds its own on the climbs.
With Firecrest’s unparalleled approach to the wheel’s center of pressure, the 808 Firecrest also handles crosswinds with the stability you’d normally associate with a much shallower rim – making the 808 Tubular 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.
Technologies:
Firecrest
With the new proprietary Firecrest rim shape in our 202, 303, 404 and 808 Firecrest wheels, Zipp wheels make a bigger difference in more ways than ever. Not only is Firecrest more aerodynamic than any other rim design, it improves handling in crosswinds and overall ride quality.
ABLC™ (Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control)
Advanced Boundary Layer Control (ABLC) refers to the patented and instantly recognizable dimpled pattern found on all of our carbon rims. ABLC smoothes airflow across the rim's surface and is tailored to every model from the 202 to the Super-9 Disc. The third-generation of ABLC has up to four times more dimples than before.
VCLC™ (Visco-Elastic Constrained Layer Control)
Visco-Elastic Constrained Layer Control (VCLC) uses a vibration-absorbing material sandwiched between layers of rigid carbon laminate in the rim. When the wheel receives an impact from the road, much of the shock is absorbed by the VCLC system, delivering a 10% reduction in vibration.
Carbon Bridge™
Carbon Bridge uses a Kevlar® thread in a co-axial helix stitch to bind sheets of carbon to each other in our tubular rims. Because Kevlar is 350% more impact resistant than carbon, it can disperse shock more evenly throughout the carbon laminate, making for a rim that is practically bulletproof. In particular, Carbon Bridge reduces the vulnerability of the rim's tire bed, the area most susceptible to damage from impact.
Features:
- Firecrest™ rim profile
- Carbon Bridge™
- VCLC™ (Visco-Elastic Constrained Layer Control)
- ABLC™ (Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control)
- weight: 552g (+-3%)
- 82 mm rim height
- 27,5 mm width (26,05 mm at brakingsurface)
- for tubulars
- only use with specific carbon brake pads
- in 16, 18, 20 and 24 hole available
Important: Only for tubular tires that are glued onto the rim.
Great that you're interested in our carbon wheels for tubular tires! Here's what you need to know about them: Lightweight and Fast: Our carbon wheels are designed for tubular tires, which means they are lighter than traditional wire bead tires. This makes your bike more agile and accelerates faster. But how do tubular tires differ from other versions like tubeless, clincher, and tubular tires/tubular? Tubular Tires/Tubular: This version uses a seamless rubber tire that is glued directly onto the rim. They offer the best performance but are slightly more difficult to mount and require special rims. So if you're looking for the highest performance and a premium riding experience, our carbon wheels for tubular tires are the perfect choice for you! If you have any further questions, feel free to let us know...
Professional Performance: Many professionals prefer tubular tires because they offer an impressive combination of performance and reliability. With our carbon wheels, you'll get the most out of your bike.
Smooth Riding Experience: The seamless construction of tubular tires provides a smooth riding experience and offers better grip in corners. That means more control and fun while riding.
Tubeless: Unlike tubular tires, tubeless tires do not use inner tubes. Instead, sealant is poured into the tire to seal small punctures. Tubeless tires offer similar benefits to tubular tires but are slightly easier to mount and maintain.
Clincher: Clincher tires are the most common type of tires. They have a separate tire and tube construction that is clinched onto the rim. Clincher tires are easy to mount and offer good all-around performance but are usually heavier than tubular and tubeless tires.
We are an official Zipp Pro Shop.
Zipp’s sole mission is to help you go faster. That's why our wheels are race-ready before they're camera-ready. For years, Zipp has used a combination of testing methods – wind tunnel, CFD computer simulations, pro athlete evaluations, and on-road testing – to refine aero performance to new levels of excellence. Our goal is to reduce aero drag while also minimizing the effects of crosswinds on handling. This optimizing of aero efficiency and crosswind stability became known internally at Zipp as AeroBalance™. The approach began with Firecrest technology and has been advanced with the introduction of the NSW lineup, especially with the Sawtooth™ technology. Sawtooth™ accomplishes this with a series of patented fin-shaped Hyperfoil™ nodes along the inner diameter of the rim that work together with our new HexFin™ ABLC dimples for improved airflow.
