Comparisons808 Firecrest vs 858 NSW

ROAD DISC WHEELSETS · SIDE BY SIDE

Zipp 808 Firecrest vs Zipp 858 NSW

The Zipp 858 NSW is 135 g lighter (1,500 g vs 1,635 g claimed per pair); the Zipp 808 Firecrest costs €1,178 less (€1,799 vs €2,977) at our October 2026 price check. The rim depth is 80 mm on the 808 Firecrest and 85 mm on the 858 NSW. Both share the internal width (23 mm) and the listed tyre range (28–32 mm).

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Both on the same bike.

Drag the handle to switch between the 808 Firecrest (left) and the 858 NSW (right) on a Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 AXS. Black tyres shown for context.

808 Firecrest 858 NSW

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SIDE BY SIDE

Specifications.

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

Zipp 808 Firecrest and Zipp 858 NSW specifications
SpecificationZipp 808 FirecrestZipp 858 NSW
Claimed pair weight1,635 g1,500 g
Price per pair€1,799€2,977
Price checkedOctober 2026October 2026
MSRP€2,500€3,800
Rim depth · front80 mm85 mm
Rim depth · rear80 mm85 mm
Internal width · front23 mm23 mm
Internal width · rear23 mm23 mm
External width · front27 mm27 mm
External width · rear27 mm27 mm
Listed tyre range28–32 mm28–32 mm
Rim typeHooklessHookless
Spokes · front / rear20 / 20 · Steel20 / 20 · Steel
BearingsSteelCeramic
WarrantyLifetime; conditions applyLifetime; conditions apply
Crash replacementFree 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.

Weight: what the grams mean

The 858 NSW is 135 g lighter per pair (1,500 g vs 1,635 g, manufacturer claims).

On a steady climb only total weight counts: a gram in the wheels costs the same as a gram in the frame or a bottle.1 A common rule of thumb is about 2 seconds per 100 metres of climbing for every kilogram, so 150 g works out at roughly 3 seconds on a 1,000 m climb.2

Rim weight matters somewhat more when you accelerate, because the rim spins as well as moves forward; physically that effect is at most about twice that of frame weight, and only while speeding up.1 Claimed weights are measured differently from brand to brand: some include rim tape and valves, others do not, and tolerances of around ±30 g are common.3 Independent weighing usually lands close to the claim once tape and valves are accounted for.4

  1. University of Illinois physics Q&A: rotating weight
  2. Cycling Uphill: time saved per kilogram
  3. Elitewheels: what claimed weights include
  4. BikeRadar: claimed vs weighed (Shimano RS710 review)

Rim depth: aerodynamics, weight and crosswinds

Rim depth: 80 mm on the 808 Firecrest, 85 mm on the 858 NSW.

808 Firecrest 27 mm23 mm80 mm 858 NSW 27 mm23 mm85 mm

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

  1. BikeRadar: aero vs lightweight wheels
  2. TOUR: how wheels are tested in the lab
  3. road.cc: what wheel designers care about

Ceramic or steel bearings

The 858 NSW uses ceramic hub bearings, the 808 Firecrest steel bearings.

Ceramic hub bearings are a common premium option. CeramicSpeed quotes watt savings for upgrading hubs, bottom bracket and pulleys together.1 In independent Friction Facts tests of bottom brackets, the best steel and the best ceramic units were only hundredths of a watt apart, and seals and grease mattered more than the ball material.2

The lowest-friction setups tend to use lighter seals and grease, which protect less against rain and grit and need more frequent servicing.3 How long any bearing lasts depends mainly on seals, grease, hub design and maintenance.4

  1. CeramicSpeed: how to save watts
  2. BikeRadar: Friction Facts bottom bracket tests
  3. BikeRadar: ceramic bearings
  4. Zero Friction Cycling: hybrid ceramic vs steel
WHICH ONE FITS

Choose by what matters to you.

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

Choose the Zipp 808 Firecrest if…

  • You want to spend less: €1,799, €1,178 below the 858 NSW
  • You want the shallower rim: 80 mm against 85 mm
Full 808 Firecrest profile →

Choose the Zipp 858 NSW if…

  • Low weight matters to you: 1,500 g, 135 g less than the 808 Firecrest
  • You want the deeper rim: 85 mm against 80 mm
  • You want ceramic bearings (the 808 Firecrest uses steel bearings)
Full 858 NSW profile →

Common questions.

How much lighter is the Zipp 858 NSW than the Zipp 808 Firecrest?

135 g. The Zipp 858 NSW has a claimed pair weight of 1,500 g, the Zipp 808 Firecrest 1,635 g. Both figures are manufacturer claims.

Do both take the same tyre widths?

Yes, the range is 28–32 mm for both. Zipp approves tyres from 28 mm to 32 mm for both wheelsets. Check the manufacturer's guidance for your exact tyre and pressure.

What is the price difference between the Zipp 808 Firecrest and the Zipp 858 NSW?

€1,178 at our October 2026 price check: the Zipp 808 Firecrest cost €1,799 and the Zipp 858 NSW €2,977 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 808 Firecrest Check my Fit → Product profile Zipp product page ↗
Zipp 858 NSW 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.