Home General Training Discussions

Zipp 404 vs 808 front

Going to buy a Zipp front and wondering people's thoughts on an 808 front vs. a 404 front.  I run the PT wheel + wheel cover for races on the back.  Primary races usually are fairly hilly (Lake Placid, Mooseman, Timberman).  I handle the bike pretty well and don't really feel uncomfortable when hit with crosswinds, even on fast decents (like the one into Keene on the LP course).  I think the 404 provides a little more transferability if I want to put it on the road bike for some reason, but I don't see this happening often.  Would I be gaining that much more with the 808?

Thanks for your input. 

Comments

  • I'm trying to find the Zipp chart that used to be on their website that stated expected time savings using this wheel vs that wheel. My googling skills are failing me. There were some time savings to be had but it wasn't an earth shattering difference. It was like seconds over a 40K ride. The 404 will be easier to handle but if you feel comfy as a bike handler then the 808 would probably be the way to go.
  • 808. I run the SRAM S80 (basically an old 808), and have zero problems with handling. It's not a ton of time, but why give any away?

    Plus, either wheel will look Fred on the front with a training wheel on the back on a road bike...
  • Thanks guys. Pulled the trigger on the 808 as Landry's bought Zipp excess inventory & has great deals---404's fronts for $675
  • Wow, I saw their email, but didn't realize how good the deal was. That's awesome! You're going to love the 808's!
  • Any hints guys for mounting tires on 808's??? I just bought al/carbon 808's and I can't get my Vittoria open Corsa Evo II tires mounted!! Way too tight. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
  • Posted By Gene Pish on 24 Apr 2012 09:17 AM

    Any hints guys for mounting tires on 808's??? I just bought al/carbon 808's and I can't get my Vittoria open Corsa Evo II tires mounted!! Way too tight. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

     

    Many people warm up the tires in the dryer and then a trick from changing motorcycle tires would be to spray Windex on the tire, to act as a lube to get it over the rim.

  • Putting the tires in the dryer always works for me.
  • The dryer?!? Wow. Cool....
  • what is the dryer protocol? Dry on low for 5 minutes, or dry on high for 20 (for example)? Wish I'd know about that years ago, I've wasted days of my life trying to get tight tires on...
  • I would just throw them in there for 5-10 minutes on a medium setting.
  • Posted By Bob McCallum on 26 Apr 2012 07:02 AM

    I would just throw them in there for 5-10 minutes on a medium setting.

     

    ...and with your wife out of the house...

  • Posted By Rich Strauss on 26 Apr 2012 01:26 PM
    Posted By Bob McCallum on 26 Apr 2012 07:02 AM

    I would just throw them in there for 5-10 minutes on a medium setting.

     

    ...and with your wife out of the house...



    Duh!  How else am I supposed to throw my tires into the dryer full of her laundry?

  •  make sure you use a very thin rim strip as well.  the thick cloth rim tape will make it next to impossible to get a good clincher tire on a zipp alloy rim... but switching to the thin one will make it significantly easier.

    I've mounted at least 4 of those tires brand new on alloy 404s/808s and it's tough but not impossible.  The good news it is gets much easily the more you do it.  In fact I used to mount and remove new tires 4 or 5 times in a row to strech them when I raced with that combo.  My hands hurt like hell for a day but it was worth it as they were easy to get off and on if I flatted.

  • I must have warmed it up with my hands because the vittoria worked onto the rim with hand pressure (Hed Jet disk). It almost felt stretchy.
  • Vitoria fit nicely (easy on) on FC404s
  • I like the Zipp rim tape. It costs a bit more but is bulletproof and significantly thinner than the standard cloth stuff.
Sign In or Register to comment.