Today, we’re venturing into the depths of the world of the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset – a true speed demon on the road.
When it comes to going fast, your wheelset is your secret weapon. Whether you’re burning rubber on the track, crushing it in a time trial, or conquering a triathlon, the Zipp 808 is designed to give you that extra edge.
With its sleek 80mm deep profile, this bad boy slices through the wind like a hot knife through butter, allowing you to maintain those high speeds with pure ease.
So join us as we find out more about this wheelset to make your decision easier.
Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset Key Features At a Glance
Here’s a table describing the key features of the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset:
| Key Feature | Description |
| Aero-Optimized Design | The wheelset boasts an aerodynamic 80mm deep profile, reducing drag and providing a competitive advantage for high-speed rides and races. |
| Stability in Crosswinds | With excellent gyroscopic stability, the wheelset counteracts sideways forces caused by wind, ensuring riders stay on track and maintain speed even in windy conditions. |
| Effortless Flat Terrain | Experience smooth rolling motion and minimal effort required on flat terrain, allowing riders to maintain speed with ease and efficiency. |
| Real-World Performance | Tested and proven by experienced riders in various rides and races, providing valuable insights into its performance and suitability for different riding conditions. |
| Tire Compatibility | The wheelset accommodates 25mm and wider tires, with recommended tire width for optimal aerodynamics and reduced vibration-caused rolling resistance. |
| Maneuverability | While excelling in speed and stability, the deeper wheelset may require slightly more effort to accelerate and respond to pace changes on courses with numerous turns. |
| Versatility | Engineered for flat, straight courses with minimal wind resistance, making it an ideal choice for time trials, triathlons, and similar events seeking to maximize speed. |
| High-Quality Construction | Crafted with top-notch materials and advanced technology, ensuring durability, reliability, and consistent performance for demanding riders. |
| Tubeless Ready | The wheelset is designed to accommodate tubeless tires, offering enhanced puncture resistance, lower rolling resistance, and a smoother ride experience. |
| Competitive Pricing | Priced competitively within its performance range, providing riders with a high-performance wheelset without breaking the bank. |
Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset Review
So, yes, these are impressive tubeless wheelsets. In our review, we’ll explain why it’s one of the best.
Maximizing Speed with Cutting-Edge Design
When it comes to cycling, speed is of the essence, and the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset is engineered to deliver just that.
Whether you’re racing on the track, participating in a time trial, or tackling a triathlon, this wheelset is built to take your speed to new heights.
With its 80mm deep profile, the Zipp 808 ensures optimal aerodynamics, allowing you to maintain high speeds with ease.
Aero Drag – The Key to Racing Success
In racing events, aerodynamic performance takes center stage, and the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset excels in this crucial area.
With reduced drag and improved speed compared to other wheelsets, it offers a clear advantage for those seeking to gain every bit of speed possible.
Tailoring Performance to Course Conditions
Different time trial and triathlon courses present varying challenges that can impact wheelset performance.
And the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset is specifically engineered to perform well on flat, straight courses with minimal wind resistance, making it an ideal choice for such conditions.
Effortless Speed on the Flats
One of the standout features of the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset is its ability to effortlessly maintain speed on flat terrain.
From the outset, the wheels exhibit a smooth rolling motion that requires minimal effort.
As you hit those aero speeds and crank in the big gear, the wheels truly come alive, propelling you forward like a steamroller.
Comparing Speed with Shallower Wheelsets
While the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset undoubtedly offers exceptional speed, we compared it to shallower wheelsets in our testing.
Surprisingly, the 808 Firecrest didn’t provide a significant increase in speed or reduced effort compared to 60-65mm deep aero wheelsets.
Terrain and other factors may limit the advantage of deeper wheels, making the choice dependent on individual preferences.
Optimizing Tire Choice for Aero Performance
For optimal performance, we paired the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset with 28mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR tubeless tires.
This combination is recommended by Zipp to maximize aerodynamic properties.
Independent tests have also shown that these tires have low rolling resistance due to their puncture belt technology.
Understanding Rim and Tire Compatibility
The Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset’s rim width may go against the rim-wider-than-tire principle, but Zipp’s hookless road tire compatibility chart provides guidance on tire selection.
While 25mm tires are compatible, using wider tires can offer benefits in terms of reduced vibration-caused rolling resistance.
Consider individual factors like rider weight, inflation pressure, and road conditions when choosing the appropriate tire width.
Stability in Windy Conditions
Maintaining stability in crosswinds is crucial for high-speed riding.
And the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset demonstrates excellent gyroscopic stability, countering the sideways forces exerted by the wind.
This stability ensures that the wheels remain on track, allowing you to maintain your speed and line.
However, in stronger winds, riders may need to exert more effort to keep the wheels tracking straight.
Maneuverability and Acceleration
While the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset excels in terms of speed and stability, it may not offer the same level of maneuverability and responsiveness as shallower wheelsets.
Riders noted that these deeper wheels require more effort to accelerate and respond to changes in pace.
On courses with numerous turns and climbs, the reduced maneuverability may outweigh the slight speed advantage.
Is the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset Right for You?
The suitability of the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset depends on your specific riding requirements.
If you participate in flat, straight, and calm weather time trials, triathlons, or similar events, these wheels are worth considering.
Priced at $2300, they offer a modest discount compared to other high-performance wheelsets in the 60-65mm deep range.
FAQ
Q: Can I use wider tires with the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset?
A: Yes, the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset is compatible with 25mm and wider tires. Zipp’s hookless road tire compatibility chart provides guidance on tire selection.
Q: Is the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset suitable for riding in windy conditions?
A: Yes, the Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset demonstrates excellent stability in crosswinds. Thanks to its gyroscopic stability, the wheelset effectively counters the sideways forces exerted by the wind, allowing riders to maintain their speed and line even in windy conditions.
Our Final Thoughts
The Zipp 808 Carbon Clincher Tubeless Wheelset is purpose-built for speed, excelling in flat, straight, and calm conditions.
Its aerodynamic design and stability make it a top choice for time trialists, triathletes, and riders seeking to maximize their speed on the road.
Remember, speed isn’t just about equipment—it’s also about training and skill.
