Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Disc-Brake Tubeless Rear Wheel

The Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Disc-Brake Tubeless Rear Wheel is Zipp's most aggressive aero statement — 80mm of carbon depth designed to hold speed with less effort on flat roads, in time trials, and through the kind of crosswinds that make shallower wheels feel nervous. This is the wheel you bolt on when aerodynamics are the priority, and the Firecrest rim shape is the reason it works. Rather than a simple deep-V profile, the Firecrest design uses a wider, more rounded cross-section that manages airflow across a range of wind angles, keeping the wheel stable and predictable when conditions get gusty. At 883g for the rear wheel alone, it carries its depth without the penalty that deep carbon wheels once demanded.

Zipp engineered the 808 Firecrest around their Total System Efficiency philosophy — the idea that aerodynamics alone do not tell the full story. TSE accounts for wind resistance, rolling resistance, gravity, and vibration losses as a complete picture of how a wheel performs in real-world riding. The 23mm internal width with a hookless rim bed is optimized for modern tubeless tires in the 28-32mm range, with 28mm being the sweet spot. Wider tires on a wide internal rim create a smoother, more aerodynamic tire profile that reduces rolling resistance and improves grip — a measurable gain you feel over the course of a long ride or a 40K time trial. The ABLC dimple pattern across the rim surface is Zipp's approach to boundary layer control, using precisely placed dimples to manage how air separates from the rim and reduce overall drag.

At the heart of the 808 Firecrest sits Zipp's German-engineered ZR1 disc brake hub. With 66 points of engagement, the rear hub picks up drive quickly — a detail that matters when you are accelerating out of corners or surging in a pack. Cartridge steel bearings keep the hub running smoothly and are straightforward to service. The center-lock disc brake interface pairs with a 12mm thru-axle for stiff, consistent braking under hard efforts. Sapim CX Sprint spokes — a proven J-bend design — handle the load reliably, and the symmetrical rim profile keeps spoke tension balanced for a truer, more durable wheel over time. Freehub compatibility covers SRAM XDR and Shimano/SRAM HG11 out of the box, with a Campagnolo N3W driver body available separately.

Design Benefits

1. All-Out Aerodynamic Performance: The 80mm Firecrest rim profile is Zipp's deepest offering, shaped to reduce drag across a wide range of wind angles rather than just in a straight headwind. The ABLC dimple pattern works in concert with the rim shape to control how air detaches from the surface — the result is a wheel that holds speed with less wattage on flat and rolling terrain.
2. Modern Tubeless Optimization: The 23mm hookless internal width is purpose-built for today's wider tires. Running a 28mm tire on this rim creates a rounder, more aerodynamic tire profile while lowering rolling resistance compared to the same tire on a narrower rim. Tubeless setup eliminates inner tubes, reducing rotational weight and virtually eliminating pinch flats.
3. Quick Hub Engagement: The ZR1 hub's 66 points of engagement means the freehub picks up drive in roughly 5.5 degrees of rotation. That responsiveness matters in races where half-second accelerations and snap reactions separate results — and it makes everyday riding feel more direct and connected.
4. Broad Drivetrain Compatibility: With SRAM XDR and Shimano/SRAM HG11 driver bodies included and Campagnolo N3W available separately, the 808 Firecrest fits into virtually any modern road or triathlon build without hunting for adapters or aftermarket parts.

Final Take

The Zipp 808 Firecrest Carbon Disc-Brake Tubeless Rear Wheel is built for riders who want every aerodynamic advantage they can find — triathletes chasing splits, time trialists fighting the clock, and road racers who live on flat, fast courses. It carries 274g less weight than its predecessor, pairs with modern tubeless tires for lower rolling resistance, and the ZR1 hub delivers the engagement and durability to back up the rim's speed. If your riding rewards aerodynamics above all else, this is the Zipp rear wheel that delivers it.