Zipp 808 Researched and Tested

Zipp 808 wheels are an amazing combination of808 Tubular Specs
research, technology and racing experience. ZippTotal Weight - 1499gwith Powertap - 1743g
redesigned the 808 in 2009 to an 81mm depth. A newFront Wheel
88/188 hub is stiffer, more reliable and faster toWeight - 691g
engage than the old design. Tire-to-rim interface andRim Used- 420Hub Used - 88Spoke Count - 16
lateral stiffness has also been improved. The slightlySpoke Pattern - Radial
heavier hubs improve the stiffness of the hub and rimSpoke Length - 222mm
while the decreased spoke count of 6 spokesTrack Adaptable - Yes
compensate for the heavier hub. Zipp claims the 808 isDimpled Surface - Yes
nine seconds faster over 40k than the previous 808.Rear Wheel
The 808 can help them conserve energy while sittingWeight - 808g
in the field and achieve a greater top speed at the endRim Used - 420Hub Used - 188Spoke Count 20
of the race. These benefits can be had with the ZippSpoke Length Non-Drive - 226mm
808 without the loss of rapid acceleration and preciseSpoke Pattern Non-Drive - Cross
handling. Roues Artisinales tested a multitude of racingSpoke Pattern Drive - Radial
wheels and learned that the 808's absorb 16.7 wattsSpoke Length Drive - 210mm
of energy at 50kph. By comparison, the Mavic KsyriumTrack Adaptable - No
Equipe from 2007 absorbs 30w. That's 44% lessDimpled Surface - Yes
energy! I wonder what speed would have beenI tried them out at the 2010 Ironman St. George, Utah. I
achieved if you put the 30 watts into the 808's?estimate the 808's lowered my time in the bike
Matt Phillips of Bicycling Magazine wrote: "The 808segment by 39 minutes and increased my average
needs no introduction to tri and TT riders, but it's alsospeed by 1.8 MPH over the stock Shimano Ultegra
gaining acceptance among roadies. Thewheel set that came on my bike. This increase made
weight-conscious might scoff at the 808's 1,455-gramup almost all the time I lost in the swim. I am a slow
weight; although that's still light, the 808s don't have theswimmer. The other thing I love about the 808's is the
snap of a 1,000-gram wheel set. But the 808sWOW factor. The sound the wheels make when
accelerate quickly with a light, crisp feel. Stiffness iscoming up behind a slower rider almost always got a
excellent, and the 808s have that magical deep-wheellook see from the rider being passed. I also got several
drive, making an extra few mph at lactate thresholdcomments from those riders on the wheels and the
possible". -Matt Phillipssound.