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FFWD expands fast carbon road wheels with more aero RYOT 55 & more versatile RYOT 33

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 & RYOT 33
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This summer FFWD took a new, wider approach to aerodynamics with new RYOT 44 all-road wheels, and now takes it to the next level with deeper RYOT 55 and lighter RYOT 33 options. The two new ‘riot’ wheels use the same modern blunt LAW Tech rim shape concept, but set a new benchmark in reduced drag with the 55mm deep version and a new light weight with the more versatile 33mm deep everyday wheels.

FFWD RYOT 55 & 33: fast tubeless carbon road wheels

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 & RYOT 33 development
c. FFWD

The underlying tech in both new Fast Forward wheels and the original RYOT 44 is their new LAW Tech rim profiles. Short for ‘Laminar Airflow Wing’, the rims use wide 21mm internals and shapes that become more blunt & boxy the deeper they get – designed especially for smoother airflow and decreased drag with wider modern road & all-road tires.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 & RYOT 33 rim profiles

Like the original 44s, both of these 55s & 33s are rated for up to 42mm tires, making them suitable for “light gravel use” according to FFWD.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 wind tunnel testing

Now adding a deeper 55mm rim option, FFWD is the latest to claim “the fastest road wheel out there” for modern disc brake road riding. FFWD says their wind tunnel testing shows the RYOT55 outperforms many of the big competitors in real world conditions.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 wind tunnel data

Even using wider 25mm tires 28.2mm real measured width), they knock 5W of drag off their own predecessor F6 wheels with 23s. Compared to recent wheels from Fulcrum, Roval, or Zipp though their wind tunnel data suggests a savings of 1.5-2.7W.

Riot 55 – Tech details

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 pair

The 55mm deep FFWD RYOT55 wheels use a hooked tubeless-ready carbon clincher rim with 21mm internal/31mm external. Focusing first on aerodynamics, the RYOT 55 are still decently lightweight at a claimed 1620g, built around the latest Centerlock DT Swiss 240 EXP hubs.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 detail

FFWD balances speed and light weight, but puts just as much emphasis on long-term durability – using thicker Aero Comp spokes in the rear wheels and Pro Lock brass nipples for strength

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 55 rim

They even say the new RYOT 55 have the best weight:durability ratio of top similarly-sized carbon wheels from Campagnolo, DT Swiss, Roval & Zipp, while using the most universally respected hubs on the market, and hitting a more affordable price level that none of those companies can match.

Riot 33 – Tech details

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 33pair

The 33mm deep FFWD RYOT33 wheels share the same hooked tubeless-ready carbon clincher rim bed with 21mm internal/30mm external, but of course in a shallower profile. The 33mm rim was developed mostly for versatility, with lower weight and more compliance. But FFWD says the same LAW Tech development ensures smooth airflow and overall drag reduction compared to similarly deep wheels.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 33 rim

Complete wheelsets save more than one hundred and fifty grams over the deeper variant at a claimed 1465g, still built around the same new DT Swiss 240 EXP hubs and 24 Aerolite front & 24 Aero Comp rear spokes.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels, disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset, RYOT 33 rim

FFWD says that their new RYOT 33 have the best weight:durability ratio of top similarly-sized carbon wheels from DT Swiss, Mavic, Roval & Zipp, while using the best latest hubs and getting more affordable pricing.

FFWD RYOT wheels – Pricing & availability

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels_disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset_RYOT 33 set
FFWD RYOT 33

FFWD’s new versatile RYOT33 wheels sell for 1600€ per set, while the deeper, more aero RYOT55 pair sells for 1800€, both including padded wheel bags. Both wheelsets come pre-taped for tubeless & include tubeless valves, and have a max rider weight of 120kg/265lb.

FFWD RYOT aero road wheels_disc brake tubeless carbon aerodynamic road bike wheelset_RYOT 55
FFWD RYOT 55

Both new full carbon clincher RYOT wheels have just gone live on FFWD’s consumer-direct website (adding options to the previous all-rounder all-road RYOT 44) and are in stock now. FFWD says they will be available in their partner shops and via global distributors starting around the end of next week.

FFWD.com

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Mark
Mark
3 years ago

Every time a company launches a new wheelset it is always the same story, more aero, faster, saves X watts fastest wheels ever… bla bla bla but yet it is just one more U shave basic rim. If you compare all these wind tunnel tests from different brands they always claim to be the best of the bunch. Why don’t they stop with these aero claims and start doing some more useful tests like flexibility, brake and power transferring, which is way more applicable to the real “outdoor” riding conditions than being stuck in a wind tunnel for an hour in the same position. It is getting very boring to read these “more aero” articles.

gmagee
3 years ago

Mark, it is simply marketing. Wind tunnel testing of wheels that are pinned to the ground at the axles don’t accurately measure the actual aero efficiency of the wheel on the bike. The form drag mechanics of the wheel contributing to actual vehicle drag are highly magnified at the top and de-magnified at the bottom. And friction drag at the top is also highly magnified (being 2X windspeed). But friction drag at the bottom is nil, as there is actually no wind blowing across the wheel near the ground, since the ground is not moving. Measuring drag force at the axle is misleading. One needs to measure power of an unrestrained wheel on the vehicle. If you care to study, see my recent (Dec. 2019) wind tunnel patent US 10,502,656, whose claims also include the Tacx Magnum treadmill.

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