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Beyond Black Color Chip Beyond Black Falcon Grey Color Chip Falcon Grey

All-Around Advancement

404 Firecrest® Tubular

The 58 mm rim profile is a classic in Zipp®’s arsenal that dates back to the early 1990s. These days, the 404 Tubular is still winning races from the Queen K to L’Alpe d’Huez. Now, with the advanced Firecrest® aero-rim shape, our leading all-around performer is an even greater threat to win any race on any terrain.  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.

By controlling airflow around the back half of the wheel, 404 Firecrest is 9 seconds faster than its predecessor 404 model over 40 km at a moderate 10-degree wind angle. At higher wind angles, the improvements are even more dramatic in terms of speed and stability. That’s because Firecrest moves the center of pressure closer to the steering axis so crosswinds exert less side force on the wheel. The result is a more stable ride.

Beyond aerodynamics and stability, the 404 Firecrest’s wider 27.07 mm-wide profile offers a slew of other benefits on the road. The upgraded lateral stiffness makes the 404 Firecrest even more responsive to accelerations and more precise when cornering. And its composite structure is designed to absorb impacts by flexing slightly outward – which gives you a comfortable ride and long-term durability.

Even with all the improvements from Firecrest technology the 404 Firecrest Tubular’s weight is a light 1,282 grams. On the climbs, it goes toe-to-toe with shallower, less aero rivals. On the flats, it hangs with deeper, less nimble competitors. If any one wheelset can do it all, it’s the 404 Firecrest.

And new for 2012, the 404 Firecrest 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.

Recommended and approved brake pads

404 Drag comparison graph

Note: The new Firecrest rim design has been proven durable and stiff enough in extensive laboratory and field testing that a separate cyclocross (CX) wheel set is no longer necessary.


MSRP:

Front wheel $1,035 / €946
Rear wheel  $1,265 / €1,154
Total Weight 1282g
Brake Track Top 23.96mm
Brake Track Bottom 26.34mm
Recommended Tire Width 21mm
Max recommended rider weight 250lbs
Front Wheel
Weight 584g
Rim Used 360FC
Hub Used 88
Rim Depth 58.0mm
Aero Width 27.07mm
Spoke Count 16
Spoke Pattern Radial
Spoke Length 244mm
Track Adaptable Yes
Dimpled Surface Yes
Ceramic Bearing After-market installation
External Nipples Yes
Rear Wheel
Weight 698g
Rim Used 360FC
Hub Used 188
Rim Depth 58.0mm
Aero Width 27.07mm
Nominal Tire Bed Width 18.00mm
Spoke Count 20
Spoke Length Non-Drive 246mm
Spoke Pattern Non-Drive Cross
Spoke Pattern Drive Radial
Spoke Length Drive 232mm
Track Adaptable No
Dimpled Surface Yes
Ceramic Bearing After-market installation
External Nipples Yes
BikeRadar reviews 404 Firecrest tubular  January 2012

"Zipp's latest evolution of their 404 wheels is undoubtedly their most predictable, comfortable and versatile high-velocity set yet, making them true aero all-rounders...."

Read the 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.

"Zipp Reinvents The Wheel"  February 2011 [pdf]

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

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

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. 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

Customer Support

Contact Details Manuals and Guides Request 2012 Catalog