The fact they only offer the external rim width is telling.
While I totally appreciate that the thick brake tracks on Firecrest Clinchers are a big part of why they’ve had no braking failures (a trade-off we surely all appreciate), the relatively small internal rim widths (in comparison to the external widths) means that tires sit much narrower on Zipp rims than they would on a competitors wheel.
We had Michelin Pro4 25′s on Zipp 303 disc and HED Jett 5′s at the shop, and I would say the difference was at least 10% in thickness, which equates to >30% in volume.
I suspect that if we could find a way to keep alloy brake tracks black (and quiet), we’d see the end of carbon clinchers.

I would argue the increased braking power is worth it but these are brand new and we need to wait for reviews

Why?... why are you using your brakes so much in a TT?

Sorry for the tangent, but seriously, why are some people so wrapped up in how great the braking "feel" is? You either slow down, or your don't. The sensation of wheel lock-up and braking force and tire grip comes from you contact points on the pedals/shoes, then bars & seat. Trying to feel what the tire and road are doing through a brake lever is myth. It's nice to have a firm linear feel with the brakes, but it's not critical.

Which part of it?


This guy seems to like larger volume tires so he can run lower pressures. So he'd like a wider bead hook width.

His assumption is that Zipp is using a thick brake track to manage heat produced by braking and this is the reason that the bead hook width isn't wider.

The comment about aluminum… Well it's much much cheaper and provides better braking. He's implying the reason people are driven to carbon clinchers is for aesthetics alone, not improved performance. So companies are doing a ton of engineering to try to match the braking performance of aluminum in carbon, and people are paying a ton of money for this engineering when it isn't necessary… except that people think it looks cool. If aluminum could be made to look as cool he suspects that people would jump at the lower cost.

At least I think that's what he's getting at. I can't say that I disagree with that last point.

The logos are printed on so the dimples are not covered.

So who is going to run out and buy them?

Lets see, a pair of FLO 30's, FLO 60's, FLO 90's and FLO DISC all with Conti 4000s tires, latex tubes and cassettes with skewers and money left over.

OR

One set of Zipp Firestrike 404's

And one of those is available to order, while the other...

Lots of people use 404s in road and crit racing. It's not a dedicated TT wheel.

Why?... why are you using your brakes so much in a TT?

Sorry for the tangent, but seriously, why are some people so wrapped up in how great the braking "feel" is? You either slow down, or your don't. The sensation of wheel lock-up and braking force and tire grip comes from you contact points on the pedals/shoes, then bars & seat. Trying to feel what the tire and road are doing through a brake lever is myth. It's nice to have a firm linear feel with the brakes, but it's not critical.

And lots of people train on their race wheels, as well.

i can't even begin to comprehend the pricing on these. any person i ever meet that shows me their FS 404s, not sponsored by Zipp, will forever be banished to my "idiots i don't want to associate with" list.

i can't even begin to comprehend the pricing on these. any person i ever meet that shows me their FS 404s, not sponsored by Zipp, will forever be banished to my "idiots i don't want to associate with" list.

For $3600 I can throw staggered forged 19'' wheels on my mustang and have money left over to put towards tires. The bike industry is really losing touch with reality.

any truth to the rumor they'll throw in a trucker hat?