These wheels look great and most important, feel amazing. Out of the box they are straight, round and the dish is perfect. The Zipps make a super sound while going fast or coasting.
They are clad in Continental 23mm 4000s front and rear with latex tubes at 95psi/105psi.
Acceleration is what I feel the most over my beloved Hed Jet 6s. No wonder considering that the Zipps are over 500 grams lighter. The only time I’d use the Heds over the Zipps is when the corners will make the difference. The Hed rim bed is .75mm wider than the Zipps. This may not sound like much, but you get more rubber on the ground when it matters. Also, with an aluminum rim you get more compliance than the ultra stiff Zipp. When the corner is bumpy and fast, you want a compliant rim to keep the rubber on the road and won’t bounce around.
Maybe I’m splitting hairs, but when you are sprinting 100% into the last turn of a crit, you want to be stable and hold your line. The Heds are better here.
The Zipps are fun to train on and will be good for 50% of the races we do. The hubs appear to be more durable than the Heds and at $2700 msrp vs. $2100 msrp, they better be.
Will I get rid of my Heds for the Zipps? No. Will I ride the Zipps more than the Heds? Yes.
Best solution? Own both.
Contact Braden or Tim to schedule a demo.
1 comment
Robert Flanigan says:
Nov 9, 2011
I got a set of the new Zipp Firecrest Clinchers for racing the Ironman World CHampionships in Kona this past October. The driving factor that had me looking to switch from my HED H3′s (which I loved) was the legendary tradewinds on the Big Island. After having some in depth discussions with the boy’s at Carytown and Zipp, I made the decision to go Firecrest. I went 404 in the front and 808 in the rear and must say I was very happy with the choice. I found them to ride very smooth and be the most responsive wheelset I have ever rode in windy conditions. In the past I was not one that was going to buy in to the myth and lore of Zipp Wheels…but after racing Ironman 70.3 Worlds and Ironman Worlds in back to back months on them……I am now a believer. Still love the H3′s but I’ll be on my Zipps next year (note…..I will never take a corner like Tim Mullins!!!!)