Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Tubeless Disc Brake Wheelset

First launched in 2011, Zipp’s 404 Firecrest wheelsets are not only firmly established as one of the fastest wheels on the market, but also they have arguably helped shape the entire category of modern aerodynamic wheels. This iteration, to use the company’s term, is no less than a ‘Speed Weapon’; a ‘weapon’ that boasts a 58mm-deep rim and weighs less than ever at 1470g. It is now cheaper than before, making this a product that’s virtually a no brainer.Whether you’re looking for a wheelset fit for a Spring Classic, time trial, triathlon, or simply to compete against your mates on the weekend club run, this is an option which is hard to look past.Single Purpose:SpeedWhereas the 303 Firecrest is Zipp’s premium all-rounder, which’ll happily serve its rider on or off road, the 404 is all about going fast. Somewhat unusually, the company aren’t claiming to have made a more aerodynamic rim, quite the opposite. As the rim is wider, the shape is actually less aerodynamic than the previous version. However, a multitude of other enhancements – what has been termed Total System Efficiency (TSE) – has enabled the developers to produce a faster-overall wheelset. In addition to examining how wind resistance affects the wheels, the effect of gravity, rolling resistance, and vibration losses have also been tested.Notably, the internal width of the rim is now wider at 23mm, and has been optimized for a tire of 25–28mm – depending on rider size. This allows the tire to be ran at a lower pressure and in turn means it can roll more smoothly over imperfect road surfaces, increasing efficiency and making for a faster wheel overall. The weight of the wheelset has also been reduced, increasing its speed and lessening the impact of gravity when going up-hill. All this adds up to a wheel that is faster on varied terrain and ever-changing riding conditions.Going HooklessHookless rims are slowly becoming the de-facto choice for wheel makers, at least in the high-end wheel space. What this means is, instead of the traditional ‘hook’ on the inside of the rim, the wall is straight. This comes with a number of manufacturer-claimed benefits. For one, with a hookless rim, the transition between the tire and rim is less abrupt, which helps to cut a cleaner shape through the air. As well as the performance benefits, hookless rims are also cheaper, easier, and more environmentally friendly to produce, all of which amounts to cost savings for the buyer.The HubSpinning the wheelset is an all-new, German-engineered, versatile and durable hubset. Using a six-pawl freehub, with 66-point engagement, the hub has a pick-up angle of 5.45 degrees so that when you put the power down, it’s translated to forward motion almost instantly.Overall, if you are looking for just one wheelset for road riding, be that for racing or simply for fun, then the 404 Firecrest is a difficult option to look past.Product FeaturesVersatile aero wheelset for the modern road bike with tubeless and hookless rim profileOptimized tire bed for easy tire installationWide 23mm-rim profile creates a better tire interface to be fast on or off the roadNew ZR1 DB hub, with 66 points of engagement, is engineered in Germany with better seal design for improved durability and quicker responseShips with 12mm front and rear-end capsDisc brake wheelsetCenterlock rotor interface. Lockring is included with the wheelsXDR™ or SRAM/Shimano driver bodiesCampagnolo driver body sold separatelyLifetime warranty