Italian wheel producer Fulcrum has at the moment introduced an replace to its greatest street bike wheels, overhauling its mid-depth ‘Velocity’ race wheelsets with the launch of the Velocity 57 and Velocity 42 fashions.
Changing the prevailing Velocity 55 and Velocity 40 respectively, this new pair of wheelsets are 2mm deeper than their respective predecessors, at 57mm and 42mm, as mirrored by their mannequin names. They’re additionally 4mm wider internally, and a couple of.8mm wider externally, and Fulcrum says they’re lighter, extra responsive, with higher dealing with too.
They’ve additionally been handled to a visible makeover, with the big Fulcrum wordmark changed with a refined laser-etched emblem, and the pink accents changed with a single small chrome silver tab on the hub, making them a lot much less more likely to conflict along with your body’s paintwork.
The burden drop sees the 42mm wheelset tip the scales at 1,410g, and the 57mm weigh 1,495g. That is aided – if not solely facilitated – by a redesign of the hubs, which Fulcrum says now have a ten% smaller central physique, 40% smaller flanges, in addition to a brand new 36-tooth ratchet drive with a 10-degree choose up.
The dealing with, which Fulcrum says is improved to the tune of seven% for the Velocity 42 and 17% for the Velocity 55, is quantified based mostly on a measure of the power dissipated when altering the path of the wheel on a testing jig. The extra power taken to show the wheel, the slower or more durable it’s, which Fulcrum believes is correlative to on-the-bike dealing with.
An identical check, which measured the power used to make the wheel spin from a standing begin, calculated reactivity. Once more, much less is best, with the Velocity 42 taking 3% much less power than its predecessor, and the Velocity 57 being 10% decrease.
Leaning on Fulcrum’s current expertise considerably, the brand new wheels use ‘Two-way expertise,’ which means they will deal with each tubeless and clincher tyres. Their bead is hooked, so shouldn’t have any tyre compatibility points, whereas the fully-sealed rim mattress replaces spoke-hole-convenience with improved air retention and added power. Getting round that lack of spoke holes is one other of Fulcrum’s applied sciences; MoMag, which permits wheel builders to make use of a magnet to pull the inner nipple across the rim and into place contained in the plastic assist that helps keep away from corrosion.
The hubs are constructed utilizing ‘USB’ (Extremely Easy Bearings) ceramic cup-and-cone bearings, in what’s a departure from many manufacturers’ swap to cartridge bearings lately. They’re laced to the rim utilizing bladed spokes, 24 of them entrance and rear, that are designed to not contact one another to enhance power and take away the opportunity of annoying creaks.
Such is the best way today, these are disc brake and thru-axle suitable solely. They are going to be offered as pairs, in addition to a combined pair with the 57mm rear and 42mm entrance.
Wheelsets can be found for buy instantly through Fulcrum sellers. Pricing for Shimano and Campagnolo freehubs are set at $2692.00 / €2265.00, whereas SRAM XDR are $2703.00 / €2264.00. UK pricing is extra easy, with all three freehub choices priced at £1,999.99.
