Fulcrum Speed 55 DB wheels finally add a new 2-Way fit tubeless option to their deepest mid-profile aero carbon disc brake road race wheels. After earlier rim brake versions, the 55mm deep Speed 55 DB debuted more than two and a half years ago as a tubular-only aero carbon racing wheelset. It’s been a mainstay of road pros like on the Team Cofidis De Rosa Merak, but this new tubeless version adds more versatility for pro and amateur alike.
Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road bike wheels
Fulcrum’s sets their bar for race-ready aero performance with the Speed wheel range, so it was time to open up the family to a broader group of riders on modern disc brake bikes and tubeless tires.
The Speed 55 DB is said to use a ‘new rim profile’ which looks to mostly share the same wind-tunnel tested & race proven shape of its tubular predecessor. Fulcrum even says that this new rim tested with the best aerodynamics of any wheel in their line-up.
Working from the 26.5mm wide x 55mm deep aero aerodynamic shape, it gets a hooked tubeless 19mm internal to work best with low rolling resistance 25-28mm tubeless race tires (min. 23mm, max 40mm). Total wheelset weight is kept to a relatively light 1580g for this mid depth.
Speed 55 DB – Tech details
The new Speed 55 DB aero carbon wheels feature much the best tech that Fulcrum & parent company Campagnolo have to offer.
The wheels use oversized flange machined alloy hubs (with a carbon front hub shell), 21 straight-pull double-butted round stainless steel spokes per wheel in a 2:1 configuration & on one side, 14 on the other), 12-mm alloy thru-axles, centerlock (AFS)disc brake interface, and mid-spec USB ceramic bearings with adjustable pre-load.
The full carbon rims are constructed of UD fibers, with a reinforced woven twill top layer, and are 2-Way fit hooked tubeless-ready, not requiring rim tape thanks to their continuous Momag rim bed (without spoke holes).
Fulcrum Speed 55 DB – Pricing & availability
The new carbon Fulcrum Speed 55 DB wheels retail for $2498 / 2045€ with either Shimano HG or Campagnolo freehub bodies ($11 / 9€ extra for a SRAM XDR driver). Fulcrum says they are available now globally, but warn that some countries may see varying arrival delays due to worldwide COVID-19 distribution impacts.
