Fulcrum’s next generation Red Zone Carbon+ cross-country mountain bike wheels take weight savings and performance improvements to a new level in their latest evolution. Developed together with the Buff-Megamo team ahead of last season’s Cape Epic, the plus in the new Red Zone Carbon+ wheels denotes improved handling by 9.5% and reactivity by 10%. While also shedding 4% weight to come in at just 1385g for the set…
Fulcrum Red Zone Carbon+ lightweight XC MTB wheels
Two winters back Fulcrum upgraded their top XC mountain bike wheels to be lighter and wider. Now, their new Red Zone Carbon+ takes it to another level within the same profile thanks to a carbon material upgrade, new smoother spinning ceramic bearings, and a few less spokes. In the end, PLUS saves 60g off the latest Red Zone Carbon wheels. For those cross-country and marathon racers looking for every little gain possible.
Tech details
The new EU-made 1385g Red Zone Carbon+ wheels are based on the same asymmetric rim shape Fulcrum calls Nip(ple) Force. Instead of a simple spoke hole offset, Red Zone Carbon+ spokes sit in two separate planes with the nose of the carbon rim profile subtly undulating between the two – one 3.5mm offset 3.5mm & the other 6mm from center.
Rim profile is the same as the last generation. 26mm deep x 33mm wide outside, with a 28mm internal hookless tubeless bead. And a smooth, uninterrupted rim bed that doesn’t require tubeless tape. No tape to fail and leak air for the life of the wheel!
Conventional external alloy nipples are guided into place when building the wheel with magnets, just like other Campagnolo-tech wheels. These also get the latest matte carbon finish, straight-out-of-the-mold with no paint like premium other premium Fulcrum road & Campagnolo wheels.
The 29er Red Zone Carbon+ wheels are built up with straight-pull double-butted stainless steel spokes, 24 front & rear, on alloy centerlock hubs. The hubs feature variable height flanges for the same spoke lengths left:right, and now spin on premium USB ceramic bearings with cup & cone adjustability.
The thru-axle hubs are Boost spaced, and offered with either a Shimano MicroSpline or SRAM XD freehub body. The new Fulcrum Red Zone Carbon+ wheels also feature an updated 36-tooth alloy freehub. New steel reinforcement around the 3 pawls means longer life and more secure engagement.
Fulcrum Red Zone Carbon+ wheels – Pricing & availability
The new lightweight carbon XC MTB wheelset are available to order starting today, featuring the latest low-key laser-etched Fulcrum graphics.
Fulcrum makes the ultra-premium Fulcrum Red Zone Carbon+ wheels entirely in the Europe. They sell for $2500 / 2190€ (a few bucks less for XD).
Fulcrum anticipates the first deliveries in December 2023.
