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New Fulcrum Red Power HP Wheels – Stiffer isn’t Always Better

Written by Zach Overholt
16 Comments
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REDpower29HP-2015-post 001

As a somewhat recurring theme in mountain biking lately, Fulcrum is one of the latest companies to decide that stiffer isn’t always better. In the case of the new Red Power HP wheels, Fulcrum collaborated with the Merida Multivan team to fine tune the new wheels. Fulcrum points to the fact that what works on the road is very different to the experiences off road which is why the Merida team members felt that slightly less rigid wheels actually improved their performance.

Building in a bit more compliance to the wheels allowed the pros to push harder through certain sections providing them with a feeling of improved handling. Rather than bouncing or vibrating off uneven bits of trail, the wheels rode over rough terrain better without hindering acceleration. The result is an aluminum rimmed wheel in 27.5 and 29″ that supposedly rides better than its predecessor the Red Power XL, while still coming in at almost 200g less.

REDpower29HP-2015-MOZZOpost 001

In addition to the improved handling of the wheelset, the Red Power HP wheels use an all new rear hub that is compatible with all major axle standards. The axle can be switched out to run QR 135, as well as 142×12 and 135×12 and will have freehub bodies for Shimano/SRAM 9 and 10 speed and SRAM XD. Laced with 28 stainless double butted spokes front and rear, the nipples are brass nickel plated for durability and to keep the price accessible.

Weights are listed at 1751g for the Red Power HP 29″ set, and 1681g for the 27.5″ version. Pricing and availability is TBA.

Fulcrum Red Metal HP Power
Zach Overholt
5,727 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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16 Comments
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Ailar
Ailar
10 years ago

I feel sad that Merida team has to ride these heavyweight wheels…

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groghunter
groghunter
10 years ago

While I understand their idea: force absorbed into a mechanism is force that’s not counteracting your forward momentum, & the only rigorous study I’ve seen on this, related to bikes concluded the same(the study was on the rolling resistance of tires based on pressure: the tires with less tire pressure won, because they were absorbing the upward force of the obstacles rather than trasmitting that force to the bike & rider.) I’m skeptical that more compliant wheels will make a substantial difference compared with suspension & high volume tires, while I’m fairly certain that a more compliant wheel will affect power transfer through the drivetrain.

I’m not buying it.

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fluffernutter
fluffernutter
10 years ago

Not quite buying into this… as a point of comparison, a stock Stans Arch wheel set comes in right around the same weight with 32 spokes and alloy nipples. From Fulcrum, we get a narrower rim, eyelets and brass nipples, both of which put additional weight at the rim right where you don’t want it. 28 spokes, eyelets, and brass nipples, doesn’t sound like a great spec to me… and obviously this is nothing like the wheel sets world cup riders from Merida are actually riding on. Lets not forget that world cup racers are operating on a completely different level than 95% of the population. In the suspension setup series by BR it was brought up that those racers notoriously have their suspension compression set up very stiff to begin with and might not be a great point of reference for the normal crowd of riders/racers. I’ll agree with groghunter that suspension setup and tire pressure are better at tracking the wheels and taking up some of the minor rough stuff. I personally want a wheel that is fast moving, durable, and stiff, with emphasis on durable. I realize that brass nipples and eyelets may be towards this end, but I’ll take my wider rims and more spokes. This feels like its a wheel set that will come spec on bikes. People aren’t going to go flocking to these wheels for aftermarket upgrades….. long winded…

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DJ
DJ
10 years ago

Am i ready this correctly ID 19.5mm, if so get with the program 21mm at least! weight not to heavy if these are entry level wheels, some how i doubt these are what Merida are racing on.

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Velo
Velo
10 years ago

Compliance? Are we talking 0.5 mm or 1 mm?

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Dork
Dork
10 years ago

Jeeze…. if you need a marginal amount of compliance that badly, drop your tire pressure! In wheels, stiffness equals strength… and compliance equals work-hardened breakage-points in your spokes! Wheels cannot be a good place to try and absorb those forces. This seems to be a backwards idea, unless the PR/marketing explanation of this idea is using a buzz-word incorrectly….

If you want, read that scientific paper on spoke tension by H P Gavin, and maybe supplement it with some Jobst Brandt.

Someone might’ve fallen for that old sales tactic, wherein the customer looking for a smooth riding bike is given a cheaper bike with overinflated tires and has a terrible test ride, and then is given the more expensive option with proper tire pressure and has a great time.

Wider rims are probably the only thing improving handling here. Wheels only need to be durable (see: stiffness=strength) to do their job, which is supporting your weight, and transferring forces that aren’t fully absorbed by your tires onward to your legs, where you should be able to finish the job. Aside from geometry, tires are probably the majority of what you feel in a bike’s handling, don’t you think?

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fast foreward freddie
fast foreward freddie
10 years ago

Fulcrum is a joke, as is the (insulting) marketing behind flexy wheels… narrow rims mean higher tire pressure which will have a much bigger effect on compliance than any rim… The whole point upgrading a wheelset is tire performance, stiffness, and weight in that order… derby or ibis rims F…T…W!!!

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dislivello
dislivello
10 years ago

I am sure. There wheels are stfness similar or more than ztr..but price is good..

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Antoine
Antoine
10 years ago

I don’t really get the stiffness story but N. Vouilloz said he was running very low spoke tension when he was competing at world cup level.

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thinskin
thinskin
10 years ago

If Fulcrum will make Red Metral 3 wheel in 29″ with 15mm/12mm axles , UST rim profile and under 1700g I will buy them.

If the Red Power HP isn´t tubeless ready I´m not interested in any other specifications

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Dauber Jenkins
Dauber Jenkins
10 years ago

FUlCrUM. Just my personal opinion. They have been reacquired by Campy after been sold off by them a few years back. Customer service won’t be up until sometime in September. A representative of BTI told me anonymously that they are dropping them because of their poor relationship with them. QBP will be FORCED to take them on because of their relationship as a Campy service center.

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Merida 96
Merida 96
9 years ago

Can someone tell me if these rims are tubeless ready? If they are I think they’re a good enough buy for the price. Lower stiffness doesn’t bother me anyway. =)

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Ldrk Kps
Ldrk Kps
9 years ago

Don’t buy these wheels.

Protective cover disc side front is missing. Fulcrum says this is the way it’s meant to be (‘We changed the bearing seals. A cover is no longer necessary’). But it looks awful and the axel is going to collect a lot of debris for sure…

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Mr. Lightwheight Nakamura
Mr. Lightwheight Nakamura
8 years ago

I have set these up tubeless and works perfect! Used DT SWISS tape and Bontrager tubeless fluid. Tires in use are Schwalbe Racing Ralph TLE. Excellent wheels for the price. (Norway)

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Samuel Benebe
Samuel Benebe
5 years ago

Had this wheel set for 6 months and counting..mixed road and off road rolling trails… Minimum. 30 km distance per ride. Approximately. 800 km milage..hubs Still running smooth, good and tru…. Good value wheels for its price…. Would recommend to lightweight xc riders.

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Zoran
Zoran
1 year ago

what bearings go on these 28×17×7mm wheels?

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