ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE

Zipp 404 Firecrest vs Zipp 404 S

The Zipp 404 Firecrest is 26 g lighter (1,559 g vs 1,585 g claimed per pair); the Zipp 404 S costs €541 less (€838 vs €1,379) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 58 mm on the 404 Firecrest and 50 mm on the 404 S and the listed tyre range is 28–35 mm on the 404 Firecrest and 28–39 mm on the 404 S. Both share the internal width (23 mm).

Zipp404 Firecrest

Zipp404 S

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Both on the same bike.

Drag the handle to switch between the 404 Firecrest (left) and the 404 S (right) on a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS. Black tyres shown for context.

404 Firecrest 404 S

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SIDE BY SIDE

Specifications.

Rows with different values are highlighted. Weights are manufacturer claims per pair.

Zipp 404 Firecrest and Zipp 404 S specifications
Specification	Zipp 404 Firecrest	Zipp 404 S
Claimed pair weight	1,559 g	1,585 g
Price per pair	€1,379	€838
Price checked	October 2026	October 2026
MSRP	€1,899	€1,100
Rim depth · front	58 mm	50 mm
Rim depth · rear	58 mm	50 mm
Internal width · front	23 mm	23 mm
Internal width · rear	23 mm	23 mm
External width · front	28 mm	29 mm
External width · rear	28 mm	29 mm
Listed tyre range	28–35 mm	28–39 mm
Rim type	Hookless	Hookless
Spokes · front / rear	24 / 24 · Steel	20 / 20 · Sapim CX-Sprint steel, 2-cross
Bearings	Steel	Stainless steel cartridge
Warranty	Lifetime; conditions apply	Lifetime; conditions apply
Crash replacement	Free replacement Conditions ↗	Free replacement Conditions ↗

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What the differences mean.

General context for the specifications where these two differ. Numbers in superscript link to the sources below each topic. How much each point matters depends on your riding, tyres and bike.

Rim depth: aerodynamics, weight and crosswinds

Rim depth: 58 mm on the 404 Firecrest, 50 mm on the 404 S.

Cross-sections drawn to scale from the catalogue values for outer width, internal width and depth. Simplified shape, not the manufacturer's exact profile.

Deeper rims generally reduce aerodynamic drag, which pays off most at higher speeds on flat or rolling roads, but they tend to weigh more and can be more affected by gusty crosswinds. In a BikeRadar comparison, 60 mm aero wheels were about a second per kilometre faster on the flat but slower on steep climbs than a considerably lighter set.¹

How a wheel behaves in crosswinds depends on the rim shape as well as its depth,³ which is why TOUR measures steering torque in the wind tunnel, not just drag.² Shallower rims are generally easier to handle in gusts, something lighter riders and riders on exposed roads tend to notice first.¹

Listed tyre range: what it allows

Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm to 35 mm for the 404 Firecrest. Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm for the 404 S. The 39 mm maximum is derived from Zipp's tyre pressure chart; Zipp states no explicit maximum width.

404 Firecrest28–35 mm

404 S28–39 mm

An approved tyre range is the span of tyre widths a manufacturer permits for a rim, based on the ETRTO/ISO tables for tyre and rim combinations.² Not every brand publishes one: some give a recommendation only, or no maximum. The lower end is the narrowest tyre that fits that internal width safely; the upper end shows how far you can go towards wider, lower-pressure tyres for comfort and grip on rough roads or gravel, provided your frame has the clearance.⁴

In TOUR's tests, wider tyres at a pressure matched to their width roll about as easily as narrower ones on smooth surfaces and add comfort and grip on real roads, while a tyre much wider than the rim costs some aerodynamic drag.¹ Pressure calculators such as Zipp's take the rim's internal width into account as well as the tyre.³

Spoke count

Spoke count front/rear: 24/24 on the 404 Firecrest, 20/20 on the 404 S.

Close-up of the Zipp 404 Firecrest hub and spokes — **404 Firecrest** 24 front / 24 rear · steel

Close-up of the Zipp 404 S hub and spokes — **404 S** 20 front / 20 rear · steel

Fewer spokes save weight and can reduce drag slightly,¹ but each spoke then carries more load and a broken spoke is more likely to leave the wheel unrideable.³ Wheels with low spoke counts usually state a maximum system weight;² compare it with your own weight plus bike and luggage rather than judging by spoke count alone.

WHICH ONE FITS

Choose by what matters to you.

Derived from the specifications above. This is not a performance rating.

Choose the Zipp 404 Firecrest if…

You want the deeper rim: 58 mm against 50 mm
You prefer its look: compare both on the same bike above

Full 404 Firecrest profile →

Choose the Zipp 404 S if…

You want to spend less: €838, €541 below the 404 Firecrest
You want the shallower rim: 50 mm against 58 mm
You plan to run tyres wider than 35 mm: Zipp's tyre pressure chart goes up to 39 mm

Full 404 S profile →

Common questions.

How much lighter is the Zipp 404 Firecrest than the Zipp 404 S?

26 g. The Zipp 404 Firecrest has a claimed pair weight of 1,559 g, the Zipp 404 S 1,585 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.

Which has the wider tyre range?

The Zipp 404 S. Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm to 35 mm for the 404 Firecrest. Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm for the 404 S. The 39 mm maximum is derived from Zipp's tyre pressure chart; Zipp states no explicit maximum width. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your exact tyre and pressure.

What is the price difference between the Zipp 404 Firecrest and the Zipp 404 S?

€541 at our October 2026 price check: the Zipp 404 Firecrest cost €1,379 and the Zipp 404 S €838 per pair. Prices change; check the current offer with the retailer or manufacturer.

Which of the two has hookless rims?

Both. Use tyres the manufacturer approves for hookless rims and respect the pressure limits.

Your next step.

Zipp 404 Firecrest Check my Fit → Product profile Zipp product page ↗

Zipp 404 S Check my Fit → Product profile Zipp product page ↗

Sources & data notes.

All values come from the Show My Bike catalogue, the same records used on the product pages. Prices checked October 2026. Some model-specific details were reviewed against the manufacturer pages. Manufacturer claims are identified as such. No independent product test is claimed, and no winner is declared.

Zipp 404 Firecrest: manufacturer product page
Zipp 404 S: manufacturer product page
Show My Bike product records: Zipp 404 Firecrest and Zipp 404 S