In a trickle down update, Zipp brings tech from their top NSW wheels down to their core rim brake Firecrest carbon clinchers to trim weight, roll faster & stop quicker. At the same time the rim brake NSW clinchers get wider & go tubeless for a faster all around ride.
Faster 303, 404 & 808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher wheels
It looks pretty much like the last generation of rim brake NSW clinchers are coming down in price and supplanting the older Firecrest clinchers. The new 303 Firecrest (45mm deep), 404 Firecrest (58mm deep) & 808 Firecrest (82mm deep) now all include an incrementally more aero profile with 17mm internal rim widths and a max outer width at the middle of the brake track of 25-26.4mm depending on rim depth.
Tech Updates
The new rim brake Firecrest clinchers now also get the most recent dimple profile called ABLC Sawtooth that undulated on the otherwise traditional rim shape to improve stability in changing wind conditions & reduce drag at high yaw angles.
The wheels also get Zipp’s latest Showstopper brake surface that combines silicon carbide texturing and a series of molded-in grooves that claims to outperform alloy brake tracks even in wet conditions.
Lastly the Nest-developed rims are lighter at each of these three depths. All of the new Firecrest rims are made in Indianapolis, and then laced up to Zipp’s 77/177 hubsets with Sapim CX-Sprint spokes – 18 front/24 rear.
Rim Depth Options & Pricing
303 Firecrest Carbon Clincher rim brake wheels weigh 1480g for the set (645g front/835g rear) and retail for $1000€ for the front & $1200€ for the rear.
404 Firecrest Carbon Clincher rim brake wheels weigh 1615g for the pair (710g front/905g rear) and also retail for $1000€ for the front & $1200€ for the rear.
808 Firecrest Carbon Clincher rim brake wheels weigh 1830g for the wheelset (830g front/1000g rear) and will sell for $1150/1200€ front & $1350/1400€ rear.
Wider, Tubeless 303, 404 & 808 NSW rim brake wheels
As the last generation of rim brake NSW wheels transition down to the slightly more affordable Firecrest level, Nest Speed Weaponry gets an overhaul. Much like all of the disc brake wheels got updated last autumn, now rim brake NSW carbon clinchers grow a couple of millimeters and go tubeless.
Tech Updates
Designed for optimized aerodynamics with wider 25mm tires, the new NSW rim brake family gets internal widths of 19mm, with a brake track width of 26.4mm and a max overall width of 26.5-28mm depending on overall depth.
Like the disc brake wheels, NSW are the first rim brake option to bring tubeless compatibility to Zipp’s rim brake carbon clinchers. Better flat resistance, lower pressures & decreased rolling resistance, it was a no-brainer to develop tubeless for rim brakes too. The new wheels ship with tubeless tape and valves already installed for quick & painless tubeless setup.
All the NSW wheels still get Zipp’s low freewheeling drag Cognition hubs, printed on logos over the ABLC Sawtooth dimples, the powerful Showstopper braking surface, and feature 18 front & 24 rear Sapim CX-Ray spokes.
Rim Depth Options & Pricing
303 NSW Carbon Clincher rim brake wheels (45mm deep) weigh 1500g for the set (675g front/825g rear) and retail for $1400/1300€ for the front & $1800/1700€ for the rear.
404 NSW Carbon Clincher rim brake wheels (58mm deep) weigh 1620g for the pair (738g front/882g rear) and also retail for $1400/1300€ for the front & $1800/1700€ for the rear.
808 NSW Carbon Clincher rim brake wheels (82mm deep) weigh 1855g for the wheelset (857g front/998g rear) and will sell for $1550/1400€ front & $1950/1800€ rear.
All of the updated rim brake Firecrest Carbon Clincher and NSW Carbon Clincher wheels will be available to purchase this month, June 2018.
