Zipp’s new 808 NSW carbon clincher wheels could save you up to 4 watts

Zipp has launched its latest wheels, the 808 NSW Carbon Clinchers, the first in the US company's new NSW sub-range, intended to showcase its very latest technological developments. These new 808 NSW wheels are claimed to offer a 3-4 watt saving over the regular 808 Firecrest wheels, and Zipp reckons riding at 40kph over an 180.25km (112-mile) Ironman distance course they will save you 90 seconds.

The 82mm carbon fibre rims have a new ABLC Sawtooth dimpled design that is claimed to improve crosswind stability - it claims an 8-10 percent improvement in stability over the 808 Firecrest rims. Zipp applies the decals using a new ImPress process that prints the graphics directly onto the carbon rim, rather than stickers, intended to help the dimples work more effectively.

There’s a new Cognition hubset as well. The rear hub features an Axial Clutch intended to reduce drag by disengaging the ratchet mechanism when coasting, the idea being to provide less drag when freewheeling into corners.

A new flange design with straight-pull spokes and a scalloped design on the front hub are changes that are meant to place load away from the bearings. The bearing preload is set on the factory. The freehub is compatible with SRAM’s XD body, so you could fit the company’s 10-42t cassette with a single ring setup.

Zipp also claims improved braking performance. It has developed the new Showstopper brake track, which uses a silicon carbide treatment. Professional triathlete Jordan Rapp reckons the new brake track is “equivalent to disc brakes” when paired with hydraulic brakes.

"It’s no longer ‘as good as aluminum, it is better,” he says. “You can carry more speed into turns and dump it faster. It’s a palpably better wheel but also one that’s just more fun to ride.”

The 808 NSW wheelset weighs 1,810g (830g front, 980g rear) and the rims are 82mm deep and 27.8mm wide externally, with a 17.25mm internal bead width. There are 18 spokes in the front wheel, 24 in the rear, with Sapim CX-Ray spokes used throughout.

Of course such cutting-edge aerodynamic wheel technology won’t be cheap, the RRP is £2,350, and they’ll be in shops in December. www.zipp.com