25 replies to this topic Post Order

[Zula]

Lucky Luke., on 31 January 2012 - 11:40 , said:

I have 404 firecrests and wind does not bother me. I live and ride in the teeth of the South Easter in the deep south of the peninsula.

What he said +1

I also have the 404 FC's and I seriosuly cannot feel that much more of a difference when comparing them to my training wheels which are cosmic elites.

Do yourself a favour and watch the Zipp videos on youtube where they explain the design process and what makes them firstly the best wheels out there and secondly very predictable in the wind. Every review I have read on them, the reviewer says that crosswinds are very predictable and manageable which I would 100% agree with.

[Zula]

Rude, on 31 January 2012 - 11:28 , said:

yup, the added deep section really is affected in the crosswinds, steering becomes an issue in gusts. This applies to all deep section brands.
on calm days the added speed they offer, despite being slightly heavier, is an excellent advantage.

Not my experience with the 404 FC's

Do your research on them then come back and slate.

[Zula]

Tarmac's Revenge, on 31 January 2012 - 12:44 , said:

I have the 404 firecrest tubbies and they are unreal in the wind, better than the old 404 and as aero as my torroidal 303's were in the sidewinds. i have ridden them in gusting 40kmph winds around Cape Point and they move a little but not enough to leave them at home. I did a back to back test with a 50mm v-shape wheel and Andre Traut will confirm even though they Zipp is a 58mm they were still less affected than the shallower rim.

I dont care what the wind is doing, I take out my 404 FC's every time and never worry.

Agreed!

Only problem with riding them all the time is you doing yourself an injustice as they lighter and improve performance. Thus training with heavier trainers is better. It does suck though that I use training wheels and have these beauties in the garage waiting for races or long rides.

Another downside is that the swisstop brake pads dont last very long and they aint cheap!

[shade]

ermm.. guys, the Firecrest version improves aerodynamics at the trailing edge of the rim.
does nothing extra for crosswinds ! crosswind handling is the same as old 404 .

[andrè traut]

shade, on 31 January 2012 - 04:31 , said:

ermm.. guys, the Firecrest version improves aerodynamics at the trailing edge of the rim.
does nothing extra for crosswinds ! crosswind handling is the same as old 404 .

I take it that you own a set of Zipp Firecrest wheels and are speaking from experience, or should I assume you are still on the older version and not yet ready to upgrade.

[Minion]

shade, on 31 January 2012 - 04:31 , said:

ermm.. guys, the Firecrest version improves aerodynamics at the trailing edge of the rim.
does nothing extra for crosswinds ! crosswind handling is the same as old 404 .

Not true.
The shape also moves the centre of pressure for the wheel closer to the steering axis. This reduces the steering moment caused by crosswinds. The overall crosswind force might be the same (I don't know), but the effect on bike handling is greatly reduced.

Edited by Edman, 01 February 2012 - 11:47 .

[Tankman]

sharkysa, on 31 January 2012 - 01:51 , said:

Zipp 404 done. Now to find a new set in CT

There is a set arriving at CWC this afternoon, your welcome to come and drool close to them but not on them, they sold!

Can order you some no problem!

[smerds]

the (other) Nuge, on 31 January 2012 - 03:58 , said:

if you're under 65 kgs forget deep sections. you'll be blown off chappies. rather go for the lightest set of low-profile wheels you can afford to take maximum advantage of your superior power to weight ratio.

if you're 75kgs and up like the dudes above (and myself) - go as deep as you feel comfortable.

jip, if you are light weight stay away in strong winds .....

i ride my deep sections in wind but then again i have some serious gravity on my side.

[urbanroyal]

Tankman, on 01 February 2012 - 12:01 , said:

There is a set arriving at CWC this afternoon, your welcome to come and drool close to them but not on them, they sold!

Can order you some no problem!

Hi what would a set of 404's go for ...

[Puncheur]

808s, Baby...