Zipp today introduces two new pairs of deep-section wheels for triathletes, time trial specialists, or simply those who like to ride fast. The new 808 Firecrest and 858 NSW tubeless disc brake wheels feature wider, hookless rims for weight savings, comfort, and stability. We’ve already had the exclusive opportunity to test this latest version of the Zipp 808 Firecrest. Very fast wheels, but still demanding.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

The new generation of Zipp 808 Firecrest and 858 NSW wheels fully benefits from Total System Efficiency technology with hookless rims that offer a seamless interface with the tire for a significant aerodynamic gain, while also providing a substantial weight reduction. These two pairs of wheels, with an internal width of 23 mm, are designed to work optimally with 28 mm tubeless tires, used at lower pressure. The very concept of hookless rims prohibits pressures above 5 bar and limits compatibility to tubeless tires only. Several tubeless brands are currently validated by Zipp to work safely with their new range of wheels: American Classic, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli, Rene Herse, Specialized, Schwalbe, Teravail, Veloflex, and WTB. The new 858 and 808 are not the first Zipp wheels to adopt this hookless rim concept, but it is the first time the American brand has launched the project on such deep-section wheels.

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An improvement in several areas

According to Zipp, mounting wider tubeless tires at lower pressures in triathlon improves efficiency and grip while limiting vibrations, optimizing comfort and handling control, and reducing fatigue when transitioning to the run. The American brand thus assumes that several factors influence the efficiency of a pair of wheels, even if, in the case of models designed to fight against the clock, low aero drag is paramount. The 858 NSW are wheels with the famous patented Sawtooth profile, with a variable depth of 82 to 85 mm for the best performance in terms of aerodynamics and stability in crosswinds. Fitted with Cognition V2 hubs with a very low friction coefficient, they are offered at a price of €4000 per pair.

The 808 Firecrest, on the other hand, have a slightly more conventional shape, even if the dimpled rims and their partially ovoid profile already have a long history and a rich track record since the first version in 2005, whether in triathlon with victories at the Ironman Hawaii or in cycling with victories in the Tour de France, in time trials or on road stages. Fitted with ZR1 DB hubs designed in Germany, they are offered at a less excessive price than the 858 NSW, at €2500 per pair.

Advantages and disadvantages of hookless rims

According to the American brand, the manufacturing process of hookless rims is better controlled, thanks to all-steel tooling. The transition between the rim and tire sidewalls is cleaner, which offers a significant aerodynamic gain in the wind tunnel. The rim is also stronger, thanks to better compaction that increases impact resistance. This optimized manufacturing control results in lower costs and less waste production.

Finally, with better resin distribution during manufacturing, the rim is lighter. On the new 858 NSW, Zipp announces a gain of 243 g compared to the previous model, bringing the weight of the wheelset to 1530 g, for an 82/85 mm rim shape! For the new 808 Firecrest, the announced gain is 282 g, for an announced weight of now 1635 g with 80 mm rims.

This is very high performance, even if it must be weighed against the higher weight of a 28 mm tubeless tire compared to a light setup with a tubed tire. On our test wheels, the Goodyear Eagle F1 28s each weigh 320 g, to which must be added about forty grams for the sealant. On another pair of aerodynamic wheels (Roval Rapide), the Vittoria Corsa N.EXT 28 tire and TPU tube combination is limited to 246 g. For the wheelset, an overweight of 230 g is thus to be attributed to the Zipp 808 Firecrest just for the tires. If we add an additional 250 g for the wheelset, we arrive at an overweight of 480 g on the usual bike. This is far from negligible in terms of feel, even if, obviously, the 808 Firecrest are primarily wheels for riding fast at a steady pace.

Reassuring stability

On a road bike, the extra weight of nearly half a kilo, especially on the periphery of the wheels, is noticeable on the first accelerations. With the stiffness of the wheels and their lift, the bike’s behavior is transformed. The bike behaves as if it were on rails, and reacts less promptly to small steering inputs. Varying the pace is more difficult than with wheels with shallower rims, and the bike proves more difficult to handle, with less lively steering than usual. In climbs, the whole setup also feels significantly less airy, and to climb at the same speed as on previous rides, you have to put out a little more watts. At low speeds, the 808 Firecrest are demanding wheels that require physical commitment.

This sensation is however counteracted by a truly astonishing comfort, and an excellent impression of traction. The rear tire is well anchored to the ground, and it does not lose grip during sharp accelerations. The sidewalls of the front tire do not seem to collapse during powerful efforts where you lean on the cockpit, and trajectory tracking is always ultra-precise, despite a pressure well below 5 bar, following the recommendations of the Sram AXS application relative to our weight. The impression of riding on a cushioned carpet is very real, despite very deep, laterally stiff wheels.

The impression of riding on a cushioned carpet is very real, despite very deep, laterally stiff wheels.

Once the cruising speed is well established, this demanding aspect is still present on slightly uphill sections, with unfavorable wind. The Zipp 808 are efficient, but they are not, strictly speaking, wheels for riding economically. Except, of course, when gaining speed, where they begin to perform at their best above 40 km/h. From 45 km/h, you fully feel the benefit of their profile, with a very pronounced sail effect when the wind blows from the side. With such wheels, you can gain about fifteen watts at this speed, but the benefit is only 4 or 5 watts at 30 km/h. A training pace where the aero gain does not outweigh lighter, livelier, and more maneuverable wheels.

The fact remains that for wheels with this 80 mm rim depth, the Zipp 808 Firecrest are particularly stable. Despite a weight of 57 kg, one can still master the wheels and control their trajectory. At high speed, while a minimum of vigilance is required, it is not necessary to fight excessively with the bike to keep it rolling straight. There is no doubt that with a time trial bike, the sensations of stability would be even more pronounced, thanks to a more compact position on the machine.

Regarding the hubs, their excellent fluidity is noteworthy, and a freehub body with numerous engagement points, very reactive when resuming pedaling after moments of coasting. The wheels are delivered with two types of freehub body, for Sram XDR (with a 10-tooth start) or for Sram/Shimano 10/11/12 speeds. When installing the wheels, changing the body is excessively easy to do.

Our opinion on the Zipp 808 Firecrest

With the new Zipp 808 Firecrest wheels, inevitably, we’re talking about something substantial, in every sense of the word. This new version has shed weight, making them a bit more versatile than the previous model. These are very efficient wheels as soon as you can reach high speeds. With their width and hookless rim construction, which allows riding with wider tires at lower pressure, comfort and grip are at a very high level. The rim profile also ensures excellent stability, even in gusty winds. However, the weight of the setup (with wide tubeless tires) makes them feel heavier during accelerations and when the gradient increases. These wheels are best reserved for sustained, linear efforts, and provided you have sufficient physical condition to get the most out of them.

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