I am new to looking at carbon fiber wheels. When looking at a Zipp wheel, I noticed some of them say “Firecrest”. What is that and what makes them different?
Firecrest is a rim profile (shape)… I’d suggest you go look through the Zipp site as this thread will likely get ugly fast.
Quick and easy. Firecrest is the newer wider design for zipp. They also got away from an aluminum brake track for both tubular and clinchers. The firecrest data shows it to be the faster wheel over the skinnier wheels. You can still use thinner tires like before, but data now shows that slightly wider tires on a firecrest rim is better.
It’s also easier to change a clincher tire on a firecrest rim in comparison to an aluminum rim. Be careful, not all firecrest rims are clincher. It must say CC (for carbon clincher) or clincher. FC also stands for firecrest. Not all carbon clinchers are firecrest. Other companies besides zipp call their wheels carbon clinchers, but they mean the wheel is carbon and it’s a clincher, but they may have an aluminum brake track.
Btw, aluminum brake tracks on clinchers are not a bad thing. Aluminum brake tracks tend to brake easier/faster than carbon. Downhill in the rain with carbon braking is a bit slick.
Picture 1 is most old “generic Chinese wheels.”
Picture 2 is what Zipps used to look like
Pictures 3 and 4 are the new, Firecrest generation.
Thanks for all the help everyone.