Zipp 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. This legendary wheelset is available in two decal options, the stealthy Beyond Black or the distinctive Classic White decals. Both decal options feature black anodized hubs, black spokes and black nipples.
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 1,445 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.
New for 2014, the 404 Firecrest Tubular is built with a the latest iteration of our 188 rear hub, the V9, along with new spoke-lacing pattern for the rear wheel - refinements that result in improved stiffness and durability. The new hub was developed in cooperation of superstar sprinter Mark Cavendish of the Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team and is in use by other top pro cyclists and triathletes including Pete Jacobs and Mirinda Carfrae.
Cavendish received early hub prototypes in January 2013 and logged 13,000 kilometers (8,078 miles) on continually refined variants, including his stage victories at the Giro d’Italia and the 2013 Tour de France. His feedback helped optimize the hub’s flange geometry, stiffness and weight.
The new 188/V9 hub has larger precision Swiss steel bearings for increased durability. Our new “virtual 3 cross” lacing on both sides of rear wheel improves stiffness, achieving 3 cross stiffness in a 2 cross pattern with a new spoke geometry. The 188/V9 has 25 percent more torsional stiffness than a leading competitive hub. This measure of stiffness is crucial for the direct power transfer to the rear wheel for out-of-the saddle sprints and climbs. The new hub also is laterally (side-to-side) stiffer that its rival or predecessor.
New for 2014 wheels, our fully die cut matte White and matte Black rim decals are borderless, thinner and lighter.
11 speed compatible