The 635 gram 202 Firecrest Clincher wheel is light, laterally stiff, and cleanly aerodynamic. Zipp's 202 wheels have always been the weapon of choice for elite climbers but the evolution the Firecrest carbon clincher rim has made this lightweight wonder stiff enough, with proven aerodynamic properties, to be an excellent all-around wheel for almost any performance oriented riding. The wider, slightly variant width rim profile improves handling, overall stiffness, and greatly improves wheel control in winds at any yaw angle. The development of the stouter, improved 77 front hub the straight-pull radial lacing pattern, has increased the lateral stiffness of the 202 front wheel under load, delivering exceptional overall handling and near zero deflection under sprinting or descending power. Lighter, faster, stronger, and rated for riders up to 250lbs.

The 77 front hub has similarities with the previous generation 88 hub, but there are substantial differences. A completely new bearing system was developed with higher grade steel sealed cartridge bearings with pre-adjusted pre-load. If that was the only change, most riders would rejoice, as the 88 hub adjustment system was sensitive and finicky. The 17mm oversized alloy axle system is stout and carries the incredible lateral loads achieved while sprinting, climbing out of the saddle, and on high speed, twisting descents. The 18 Sapim CX-Ray steel straight-pull spokes and Sapim external nipples carry over from the 88 hub, but with slightly increased tension and pull from a stronger stiffer flange system. Spoke head access is behind the bearing cover for a clean, aero effect. The overall improvements in the front hub are not as major as the rear 177 hub, but still noticeable to the in-tune rider.

The Zipp 202 Firecrest Carbon Clincher retains the classic 32mm rim depth of its tubular predecessor though, with the Firecrest profile, now has a wider 25.4mm max rim width, with a 16.25mm internal clincher bead width. Firecrest rims have a near-constant width from brake track to spoke bed to improve aerodynamics and better control airflow. Zipp used Computational Fluid Dynamics software analysis to maximize the aerodynamics of the rim and dimpled ABLC surface while minimizing wind-produced torque, resulting in a rim design that is faster and better handling. The brake track tapers to 24.62mm at the center, to ensure compatibility with most road braking systems. The braking surface features the molded in-groove technology that ensures excellent stopping power in wet, dry, or hot conditions. Optimal performance is achieved with the supplied Zipp Tangente Platinum Pro Evo brake pads. The Silicon Carbide particles employed in brake track resin add extreme hardness, making the track impervious to incidental damage. This combination of tech is called Showstopper, and the results are impressive and effective.

The concept of the 202 as pure climbing wheel from it's first release are tough to shake, but the evolution has been progressively pushing the 202 into the all-around class. With the development of Firecrest design, the 202 was there. Now, paired with the new 77 hub design and radial spoke lacing, and the carbon clincher technology, any rider under 250lbs can enjoy exceptional lightweight aerodynamic performance and the convenience of clincher tires. We sell the wheels separately as many racers mix and match or simply need a back-up or replacement, but we see the 202's as best paired as front and rear (1450 grams), and ideal for any attacking riding that combines legit climbing and descending, along with rolling mileage.