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Fulcrum Adds Wider Disc Brake Road Wheel as Part of new Racing Quattro Family

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Quattro fulcrum 2016 rider

Adding to an already vast line of road wheels, the Fulcrum Racing Quattro family is expanding. Named for the Italian word for four, the Quattro line revolves around a 40mm rim profile (35mm in aluminum) which Fulcrum praises for its versatility. Still light enough for climbing yet deep enough for aero benefits in many situations, the Quattro appears to be an excellent all around wheelset made better by increased options.

First introduced in the 35mm aluminum Quattro, two full carbon rims are added to the family including one that’s disc brake specific. More than that, all three wheels feature a revised rim shape with a wider profile for increased stiffness and comfort from the use of wider tires. Time to get #fulcrumfast with the new rim or disc brake Quattros…

2016_Racing_Quattro_LG_rear_mask 2016_Racing_Quattro_Carbon_rear_mask 2016_Racing_Quattro_Carbon_DB_rear_mask

Now a family of three, the Racing Quattros include the LG, the Carbon, and the Carbon DB. All three rims use the new 24.2mm wide (ext.) rim profile that is meant to fit 25-50mm tires. The previous Quattro had a 15mm internal width compared to the new 17mm internal width for all Quattros. While the carbon models are a true 40mm deep rim, the aluminum rim sticks with a 35mm RDB or Dynamically balanced profile.

2016_Racing_Quattro_LG_rim_closeup_mask2016_Racing_Quattro_LG_rim_closeup2_mask

RDB is essentially Fulcrum’s way of accounting for the added weight of the valve system on the opposite side of the rim to keep it perfectly balanced. Using a machined aluminum braking surface with Fulcrum pads, the LG uses 16 spokes for the front and 21 in the rear with their Two-to-One lacing system. Weight for the Racing Quattro LG wheelset is claimed to be 1725g.

2016_Racing_Quattro_Carbon_rim_closeup_mask

The Racing Quattro Carbon will be available in two different rims – one with a 3K carbon Diamant treated braking surface…

2016_Racing_Quattro_Carbon_DB_rim_closeup_mask

…and one without. The rim without the braking surface of course belonging to the Quattro Carbon DB or Disc Brake. While both carbon wheels use a full UD carbon construction, significant differences come in the form of the hubs and spokes. To accommodate the use of disc brakes the DB logically uses disc hubs available in 6 bolt or AFS (Fulcrum’s version of Centerlock). The DB also uses an increased spoke count with 21 spokes front and rear for their Two-to-One lacing but with the lacing reversed front and rear. The Quattro Carbon uses 18 spokes for the front and 21 rear Two-to-One with double butted steel aero spokes with aluminum alloy nipples.

Based on the photos it appears the Quattros could be run tubeless due to a sealed rim channel, though we are waiting for confirmation on this from Fulcrum. Update: According to Fulcrum, they are not tubeless compatible.

Fulcrum Quattro features

All three wheels utilize straight pull aero spokes with the exception of the DB which uses straight pull round spokes instead. At the center of each wheel is an aluminum hub with Fulcrum’s Adjustable bearing system and an HG freehub body with a plasma treatment and aluminum axle.  Fulcrum states that there will be adapters available for the Quattro DB to run any axle or fork standard which seems like an important feature with how many options are out there. Weights for the carbon models are listed at 1555g for the rim brake wheelset, and 1605g for the DB with pricing and availability for all three TBA.

Quattro spec 2016

fulcrumwheels.com

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22 Comments
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TypeVertigo
9 years ago

The real story behind this wheelset announcement isn’t being told: Is Campagnolo (effectively Fulcrum’s corporate parent) close to releasing a disc brake setup of its own?

It’s gotta make you wonder, at the very least.

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
9 years ago

Fulcrum is Campy’s, Shimano compatible cousin. So I would think it has more to do with that.

Liasara
Liasara
9 years ago

Of coarse Campagnolo is going to come out with disk. Uci will likely allow it in 2017. Campagnolo = Racing

Zach
Zach
9 years ago

Campagnolo will probably just rebrand someone elses disc caliper like they did with their cantis. Doubt they are even anywhere close to having a hydro setup

CXisfun
CXisfun
9 years ago

@Zach – I thought we knew that Campy was using Formula brakes? Thought I read that somewhere, but haven’t been watching too closely as I love my Shimano R785 setup.

Cashman
Cashman
9 years ago

I’m just happy to see someone building a disc specific carbon road rim (without braking surface). I thought a wheel without a braking surface would be lighter though???

BillBob
9 years ago

I have a set of the original Quattros and they simply can’t be beat for the money. Not the lighest rims, but for under $300 they roll forever and have been bullet proof even my bombed out roads. A carbon version is very exciting and I hope they’re reasonably priced as well… otherwise why not just buy the new Bora One clinchers?

One thing I do get a laugh out of is carbon rims with disc brakes. Go carbon to get areo… then negate the areo with disc brakes. Makes perfect sense.

smw
smw
9 years ago

disk brakes – what a mess – negates the aero advantage of the wheel.. let alone wheels changes and the extreme heat the discs will absorb.. and potential accidents the sharp disk will cut flesh like a hot knife in butter – is it really necessary or just marketing hype.!!!!
Ask Cavendish who tried the hydro levers.. and was back on cabled brakes.. yep it works in MTB and CX.. not necessary for road..just saying

Nate
Nate
9 years ago

@smw – Have you ever actually seen anyone hurt by a disc brake rotor in a crash? I know there’s more risk in a larger group but this argument just doesn’t worry me all that much. There are other sharp objects on bikes that could cause problems not to mention just the danger of hitting the ground at speed or a barrier/fan/etc. I’ve seen more people injured by rotors while working on their bikes than riding them.

As far as being necessary obviously they aren’t necessary. People have ridden without them for decades. But are they better? I like mine. 🙂

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

Embrace it people, disc brakes are happening and will be the norm in several years. Disc brakes brake better and allow for better rim design that don’t have to accommodate a braking surface. It is still a couple years away from getting the rim formula and brake standards figured out for discs, but it will happen. And as for the comment about the rotors cutting people, last I checked road bikes have had sharp chain rings on them for as long as I can remember.

BillBob
9 years ago

Road discs are a passing fad. Even most real CX racers don’t use discs. Once the fad is over and everyone has new equipment, direct mount rim brakes will be the new “standard” and everyone can go buy all new equipment again to make their bikes lighter and more aero.

ChrisC
ChrisC
9 years ago

@BillBob

“Go carbon to get areo [sic]”

Or, go carbon for better durability (no fatigue life like aluminum) more comfort (layup & resin tuned for comfort) higher strength (MTB rims are not exactly meant for aerodynamics)… Lots of reasons to like carbon rims, and discs solve the one big problem which has been braking performance.

ChrisC
ChrisC
9 years ago

@Cashman

Check out ENVE’s Smart 3.4 Disc rims. specifically designed as disc rims and a *claimed* 50g less per wheel. It’s happening, but obviously starting out with products from guys who are real wizards with composite design.

ChrisC
ChrisC
9 years ago

@smw

Cavendish rode the SRAM hydro *rim* brakes, which are – I will agree – kind of pointless.

Cav was most definitely NOT on disc brakes as they were (are) illegal in UCI road events.

bb_nl
bb_nl
9 years ago

@BillBob Uhm…. “most real CX racers” don’t use disc brakes?

a) Not true. Nr 1 and 3 (men elite) and nr 1 and 3 (women elite) of last world championships did ride discs to take their medals, have been doing so in many races, and still do.

b) The reasons of “real CX racers” that don’t use discs fall into three categories
b1) Riding a brand that does not have (enough) disc frames, eg Colnago beginning of last season. Not a real reason.
b2) Worried about the weight. Sven Nijs has said on record that he prefers discs, but does not ride them merely because of the added weight. Semi-real reason (since the weight will come down when they become more accepted)
b3) Genuinely don’t like discs. Ok, this might be a real reason, but it might also be nonsense.

So I’d call that a 50-50 on the reasons (b) to opt for or against discs. The World Champs podium (a) swings the vote nicely towards discs, in my view 😉

Cashman
Cashman
9 years ago

Will do cheers ChrisC. I hope discs will be a quick fad, but I don’t think so. “They” have to keep “us” spending.

RobertW
RobertW
9 years ago

@ChrisC, you need to check your facts about carbon fiber fatigue properties. To say it has no fatigue life betrays ignorance.

scentofreason
scentofreason
9 years ago

As someone who is over 200 pounds, having discs on my road bike has been a revelation. Actually enough stopping power. No more thousand degree rims. No more having to descend way slower than I can to avoid exceeding the capacity of my rim brakes. Rain rides are no longer an issue. Oh, since only 190 of us will actually be riding the tour this year (or any year for that matter), weight, aerodynamics, etc. really don’t matter. As we’re not getting paid to ride or win. Disc brakes, more control, more speed on the downhills, better wet performance. Real benefits for everyday riders. I’ll never go back…

danielzhong
9 years ago

The Racing Quattro has no assembly holes in rim channel,it is perfect especially for tubeless road rims,but no letters for this in review article yet,rims without assembly holes will be stronger than rims have,especially for carbon clinchers,but a little difficult to building wheels.

DRC
DRC
9 years ago

I chatted up the owner of a major LBS (well known on here too) on a TNR about the bike he was riding, a new Dogma with DA9k and disc brakes. He said he had just got back from Europe (right after the tour last year) where they did a lot of mountain riding and descending was 1000 times better on discs. He also said inclement weather no longer proved to be a braking issue. He loved the setup, didn’t dismiss it as a fad like most on here do that have never ridden a disc road bike. I can’t wait to get a bike with them.

Patrick
Patrick
9 years ago

When are these going to be available? The carbon rim brake version is exactly what I’ve looking for!

chup
chup
9 years ago

@bb_nl and @scentofreason, your comment is the bestest to reflect real world usages. I’ve seen too many nay-sayers are scientists on paper.

I’m a disc brake convert and love it because it provides true usability upgrade to my bike. Heavier, yes, but I’ve got sH-tload of fat to burn. Less aero, yes, but it costs less than 10W maybe (http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-and-gear-features/components/do-disc-brakes-cost-you-aero-speed). Wheel change… I don’t race.

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