Fulcrum’s new aluminum Racing 4, 5 & 6 DB road wheels lace-up three new affordable tubeless wheelsets with wider rim internal widths and quicker freehub engagement. Not trying too hard to be the most aero or lights wheels out there, the entry-level Fulcrum Racing disc brake line-up prioritizes relatability, versatility & bang for your buck. Pick up a set to upgrade the rolling stock on your road or all-road bike, or a second wheelset to make for fast swaps from smooth tarmac to fast gravel.
Fulcrum Racing 4, 5 & 6 DB alloy tubeless road wheels
Launched three years ago in the mid-spec 4, 5 & 6 aluminum rim iterations, the numbered series Fulcrum Racing alloy wheels have slotted under the more premium Racing Zero carbon options. But while those already made the jump to wider internal rim widths and upgrade internals, not the affordable alloy wheels get much of the same trickle down tech.
What’s new?
All new from the ground up, Racing 4, 5 & 6 each now get wider hooked 2-Way Fit tubeless-ready rims, pre-taped from the factory (just pop in the included valves, mount tubeless tires & add sealant), 24 new straightpull spokes laced 2:1 for balanced disc brake tension, new forged & machined alloy hubs with faster internals – now 36T ratchets for 10° engagement.
The hubs are now 12mm thru-axle only with adjustable pre-load sealed cartridge bearings for use with centerlock/AFS disc brake rotors.
As always, they also get simple low-key graphics to blend in with most bikes.
Racing 4 DB wheels
The new Fulcrum Racing 4 DB wheelset is the top tier of the revamped alloy range with a deeper rim profile for a bit of aerodynamic gains. At 34mm deep overall, Fulcrum machines the extruded rim between the spokes to keep weight down, while also expanding it inside two millimeters to a new 19mm inner width, 24mm outside.
Developed for versatility, Fulcrum says the Cofidis pro team singled out this 1710g wheelset as an all-rounder training setup, that gives them a wide profile to support 25-28mm tubeless road tires
5 DB wheels
The new mid-level Racing 5 DB wheels are actually the lightest in the new alloy family at 1660g (claimed) thanks to a less stiff, lower rim profile. The U-shaped 24mm deep extruded tubeless rim is actually wider too, up three millimeters over the previous generation to a new 20mm internal, 25mm external.
Fulcrum sees these as the most versatile for the range, able to transition from endurance road riding to a bit of less demanding gravel too. Again 25-28mm road tires are the ideal starting point, but the possibilities go wider with a 20mm rim. Tech-wise, hubs & spokes are all the same but a lighter wheelset overall and more than 10% cheaper.
Fulcrum Racing 6 DB wheels
The complete entry-level of the new family, the Fulcrum Racing 6 DB wheels drop another 15% off the 5s with its own heavier alloy rim & less machined hubs.
The 24mm deep Racing 6 DB tubeless rim is asymmetric here, also with a new wider 20mm internal, 25mm external width. Pair the no-nonsense 1780g wheelset with some training tires to get you through the winter while keeping the carbon wheels clean, or just ride them year-round without any worries (especially to your wallet!)
All of the new 2022 Fulcrum Racing DB wheels have a system weight limit (rider+bike) of 120kg/265lb
New 2022 Fulcrum Racing DB wheels – Pricing, options & availability
All three versions of the new Fulcrum Racing 4, 5 & 6 DB wheels are available now from your local Fulcrum dealer bike shop. Racing 4 wheels are the most expensive from a still affordable $596 / 449€ with a Shimano HG11 freehub body. The Racing 5 wheels are just a bit cheaper from $522 / 399€. And the Fulcrum Racing 6 DB wheels are the most affordable from $442 / 339€.
All of the wheels are also optionally available with a 12-speed ready SRAM XD-R body for an extra $11 / 9€ or a 13-speed ready Campagnolo N3W body for an extra $8 / 5€.
