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A New Chapter In Speed.

404 Firecrest® Carbon Clincher

Naturally, we chose to launch our groundbreaking Firecrest® and Carbon Clincher designs with our most versatile wheelset, the 404. Its 58 mm rim depth is a classic all-around performer that has carried athletes to victory in every kind of event – triathlons, criteriums, breakaways, field sprints and even Grand Tour mountain stages.  

In fact, our first full-carbon clincher wheelset, the 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher, has been described as the most heavily anticipated wheelset of all time. And following two years of development for its revolutionary rim shape and carbon technology, we’re confident that the 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher lives up to the hype.

And new for 2012, the 404 is getting the brand new 88/188 hubset, with a 7.5mm-wider bearing stance in the rear hub, and a driveside hub canted by 2 degrees for improved stiffness and reliability. For 2012, the venerable wheelset is available in a classic Falcon Grey color scheme or our all-new Beyond Black with black-anodized hubs, spokes, and reflective black logos. Its Firecrest aero profile is the first deep-profile carbon clincher design to offer the superior aerodynamics, ride quality, strength and handling of a wider rim body. Yet the 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher weighs just 1,561 grams per set, putting it among the lightest deep-profile carbon clinchers available.

Designed specifically to account for the differences in airflow patterns between clincher tires and tubulars, the 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher far exceeds the aero performance of any other clincher wheelset in its class. As Zipp proved with the Paris-Roubaix-winning 303 Tubular, a wider rim offers greater vertical compliance for control and comfort on rough surfaces while increasing lateral stiffness for sprinting and cornering. The same holds true for Firecrest rims with clincher tires. And because the hook beads are farther apart, the tire itself takes on a more stable shape without adding rolling resistance.

Heavy continuous braking on carbon surfaces can cause spikes in rim temperature and tire pressure that impact performance and handling – especially with clincher tires. To solve this challenge, our U.S.-based composites supplier created a new heat-resistant resin exclusively for Zipp. This technology improves heat dissipation so substantially that ours are the only carbon clinchers to pass stringent European safety testing without limitations on rider weight or brake pad options.

Recommended and approved brake pads

404 Drag comparison graph


MSRP:

Front wheel $1,215 / €1,126
Rear wheel  $1,485 / €1,374

Total Weight 1557g
Tire Bead Inside to Inside 16.25
Brake Track Top 23.48mm
Brake Track Bottom 25.73mm
Recommended Tire Width 21mm
Max recommended rider weight 250lbs
Front Wheel
Weight 718g
Rim Used X58
Hub Used 88
Rim Depth 58.0mm
Aero Width 26.53mm
Spoke Count 16
Spoke Pattern Radial
Spoke Length 244mm
Max Tire Pressure 125psi
Track Adaptable Yes
Dimpled Surface Yes
External Nipples Yes
Rear Wheel
Weight 839g
Rim Used X58
Hub Used 188
Rim Depth 58.0mm
Aero Width 26.53mm
Nominal Tire Bed Width 16.25mm
Spoke Count 20
Spoke Length Non-Drive 246mm
Spoke Pattern Non-Drive Cross
Spoke Pattern Drive Radial
Spoke Length Drive 232mm
Max Tire Pressure 125psi
Track Adaptable No
Dimpled Surface Yes
External Nipples Yes
"Talkin' 'bout a revolution"  August 2011 [pdf]

Brad Culp of Lava Magazine reviews the Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher...

I’ve never used the word “best” in a product review. Never have I tested a bike, or a pair of bib shorts, or anything else that I’ve been convinced is the single “best” product in a certain market. That changed after my first ride on the Firecrest 404 Carbon Clinchers. I can say without a doubt that these are the best all-around wheels I have ever tested—and I’ve tested a lot of wheels.

NYVeloCity.com review the Zipp 404 and 808 Firecrest Carbon Clinchers here...

Firecrest Profile The biggest new feature of the Firecrest wheels is the rim shape. Zipp had the obvious (in retrospect) epiphany that the rim should be optimized to cut through the air with the tire as both the leading and trailing edge. A quick perusal of the latest offerings from Hed, Enve, 3T, and Shimano would seem to suggest that Zipp are on to something. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Firecrest profile completely supplants the familiar vee shape in a few years.

"Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher"  August 2011

Florida Racing Magazine Reviews the Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher here...

The Bottom Line: All-round I love these wheels, I will be recommending them with confidence and I will be working hard to buy a pair for myself. Retail on a pair is $2700 which is steep but well worth it if you are contemplating dropping this kind of cash to keep from getting dropped.

"Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher"  August 2011 [pdf]

Florida Cycling Magazine reviews the Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher…

The shape of the Firecrest rim also really improves handling. It essentially allows the air to stay attached to the rim, improving aero performance and moving the center of pressure of the wheel behind the steering axis. This allows the wind to have less torque when pushing the wheel, actually allowing the wheel to self-correct into the wind.

 

"Map My Ride Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge"  August 2011

Patrick Brady reviews the Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher as part of the Aquaphor Le Tour Challenge.  Read the entire review here...

"Zipp's New Shape"  July 2011

Tri-Magazine.net takes a closer look at the new Firecrest rim shape.  Click here for the full story.

"Brand New Kit"  February 2011 [pdf]

Zipp 404 Carbon Clinchers receive the TriathlonPlus Peak Performer Award.

"Zipp Reinvents the Wheel."  February 2011 [pdf]

Cycling Weekly takes a closer look at the new Firecrest platform.

"Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher Review"  February 2011

Cyclingtipsblog.com reviews the Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher here.

TriRig.com First Look at the Zipp Firecrest 404  December 2010

Check out the first look at the Zipp Firecrest 404 Carbon Clinchers here.

"The Racing Post" Reviews the Zipp 404 Carbon Clinchers  November 2010 [pdf]

So, are they worth it? If you aren’t currently riding aero wheels, then the answer is an unequivocal yes. It’s a great all-around wheel that will stand up to everyday use and makes sense across a variety of conditions.

If you are already own race wheels, I’ll leave you with this: I’ve never been more excited about a set of race wheels; not when I got GP4s, not when I got Heliums in ‘99, not when I had the first set of Ksyriums in the city a few years later. In the words of Ferris Bueller “it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”

New Peloton Magazine Reviews the Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher  November 2010 [pdf]

The all new Peloton Magazine reviewed has reviewed the new Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher.  Check out what they have to say in their very first issue.

"Reviewed: Zipp Firecrest 404 Carbon Clincher"  October 2010 [pdf]

Lava Magazine reviews the all new Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher.

"2010 Zipp 404 Carbon Clinchers."  October 2010

Liberty Sports Magazine Reviews the Zipp 404 Carbon Clinchers.  Click here.

"How Carbon Fiber Takes Your Wheelset Up a Notch"  October 2010 [pdf]

Check out "How Carbon Fiber Takes Your Wheelset Up a Notch" by Christopher Kautz in the September 2010 issue of Triathlete.

"Wind Cheating Wheels Reviewed."  October 2010 [pdf]

Aaron Hersh of Triathlete explores the evolution in rim shape and reviews several aerodynamic wheelsets.

ProCycling's Wish List  October 2010 [pdf]

404 Carbon Clinchers in ProCycling's Wish List.

Firecrest

With the new Firecrest rim shape in our 404 and 808 Tubulars and Carbon Clinchers, 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, wheel strength, and overall ride quality. Read More

ABLC™  (Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control)

Advanced Boundary Layer Control (ABLC) refers to the patented and instantly recognizable dimpled pattern found on most of our rims. ABLC smoothes airflow across the rim's surface and is tailored to every model from the 202 to the Sub9 disc. 2009 sees the third-generation of ABLC, with up to 4 times more dimples than before. Read More

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. Read More

88/188 Hub Technology

Every aspect of our 88 and 188 hubs sets a new benchmark. The standard steel bearings are the roundest in the industry. The 17mm axle is the stiffest of any road hub we've tested. The wire EDM-cut hub internals are the most precise. The SHIFT spoke hole technology is the most durable. When it comes to precision and performance, there's really no comparison. Read More