Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Disc Brake Rear Bike Wheel with SRAM XDR Driver

The Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Disc Brake Rear Wheel with SRAM XDR Driver is a 58mm-deep hookless carbon aero wheel. It's built for road racing, time trial and triathlon, gran fondos, and fast riding on changing road surfaces. It pairs a 23mm internal-width Tubeless Straight Side (TSS) rim with Zipp's German-engineered ZR1 DB hub. This version ships with an XDR driver, so it takes SRAM XDR road cassettes without any changes.

Within the deep-section carbon category, the 404 stands out for its focus on wider, lower-pressure tires. Zipp designed it around Total System Efficiency (TSE), which looks at wind resistance, gravity, rolling resistance, and vibration losses together rather than measuring aerodynamics alone. The 23mm internal width supports 28–35c tubeless tires at reduced pressure. The hookless bead and ABLC Sawtooth dimpled rim surface are both meant to make the 58mm profile more aerodynamically efficient.

Who It's For

• Road racers, triathletes, and time trialists who want one deep wheel for most events

• Gran fondo and fast group riders who run 28c or wider tubeless tires at moderate pressure

• Riders on disc-brake road bikes with 12mm thru-axles and SRAM XDR drivetrains

• Consider a different wheel if your total system weight (rider, bike, and gear) is over 115kg / 253lbs, you prefer tires narrower than 28c, or you need pressures above 73psi

• Campagnolo users will need a Campagnolo driver body, sold separately

What to Look For

• Tire choice matters. Hookless rims require ISO/TSS-compatible tubeless tires from 28–35c, with a 73psi / 5.0bar maximum pressure. Confirm your tire is on the compatible list before you buy.

• Check frame clearance. At 28mm maximum outside rim width, wider tires on this rim will measure larger than their labeled size. Make sure your frame and fork have room.

• Match your drivetrain and rotors. This wheel comes with an XDR driver and a Center Lock rotor interface. Six-bolt rotors need an adapter.

Key Features

Hookless TSS carbon rim. The 58mm-deep, symmetrical rim has a straight-side bead seat, which gives a smoother transition from tire to rim. Zipp says the hookless design also allows more efficient resin distribution, so the rim can be lighter and stronger. The UD carbon finish uses adhesive decals.

23mm internal width. A wider bed supports the tire better at lower pressures. That's central to the TSE approach: less rolling resistance and vibration loss on real-world pavement, not only smooth test roads. Zipp also optimized the tire bed for easier tubeless installation.

ZR1 DB hub. The ZR1 DB has 66 points of engagement, so the freehub picks up quickly when you start pedaling again out of corners and surges. Its revised seals are meant to improve durability. The hub uses steel cartridge bearings and can take XDR, SRAM/Shimano road, or Campagnolo drivers (Campagnolo sold separately).

Disc brake interface. The Center Lock rotor mount comes with the lockring included. The wheel ships with 12mm end caps for thru-axle frames.

Rider Intent Summary

• Biggest strengths: 58mm aero depth, a 23mm-wide tubeless rim for 28–35c tires, and a responsive 66-point ZR1 DB hub

• Tradeoffs: Limited to ISO/TSS tubeless tires and 73psi; 115kg system weight limit; front wheel sold separately

• What makes it different: It's designed around Zipp's Total System Efficiency for real-road speed, not wind-tunnel numbers alone

Victory's Take

At Victory Bicycle Studio, we see the 404 Firecrest as a sensible single deep wheel for riders who've moved to wider tubeless tires. Before you order, we suggest confirming your tire and frame clearance with us.