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Fulcrum rolls out new Speed 40C & 55C carbon road clinchers

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Fulcrum Racing has taken their popular mid-depth aero carbon road tubulars raced by the pros and developed a clincher version to appeal more to the amateur road rider. At 40mm & 55mm deep respectively the new Speed 40C & Speed 50C clinchers should offer a high-performance option for amateur racing roadies looking to upgrade their road bikes. Sure a full carbon set of road wheels doesn’t come cheap. But more riders are looking for that aero carbon advantage and Fulcrum has built a reputation for fast rolling & durable wheels…

Fulcrum Speed 40C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rim profile Fulcrum Speed 55C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rim profile

The new Speed 40C & 50C carbon road clincher wheels get a lot of the same tech as the tubular versions. That includes the same fast rolling USB ceramic bearings, straight-pull aero spokes & oversized rear hub flange, plus radial front & 2:1 rear lacing.

Fulcrum Speed 40C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rim detail

The new carbon road clincher rims get updated carbon construction & fiber orientation to keep weight low, even dealing with high road pressures and rim brake heat build-up. Campy I mean Fulcrum calls the new look ‘Longitudinal Twill’, developed to build a stronger but still more compliant rim. The front hub shell even gets the same new fibers.

Fulcrum Speed 55C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rim detail

Of course braking is key on carbon rims, and above all on full carbon road clincher wheels. So Fulcrum puts the same lasered AC3 (All Conditions Carbon Control) brake track tech on the new wheels that was developed back on the new Campagnolo Bora carbon clinchers earlier this summer. They made some bold claims then of the AC3 Boras outperforming pretty much every other carbon wheel on the market both in dry & wet conditions, so it’s good to see them spreading that around. Everyone deserves better carbon rim braking.

Speed 40C carbon road clincher wheels

Fulcrum Speed 40C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset front Fulcrum Speed 40C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rear

The Speed 40C is the more versatile option. Deep enough for an aero boost, but less affected by winds. At 1420g for the pair, the 40mm deep, 1922€ Speed 40C gets a 17mm internal width (24.2mm external) to pair optimally with 25-28mm clincher tires.

Speed 50C carbon road clincher wheels

Fulcrum Speed 55C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset front Fulcrum Speed 55C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rear

The 55mm deep Speed 55C  is more of a dedicate aero wheel. So they are probably less likely to get pulled out for all around riding. At 2043€ and just 1470g, it doesn’t add much more weight but is going to be more susceptible to cross winds. It gets the same 17mm internal width. That sticks to the ETRTO 17C definition, limiting it to 25mm tires and up.

Fulcrum Speed 55C 40C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset front hub Fulcrum Speed 55C 40C Fulcrum Racing Wheels aero full carbon road clincher wheelset rear hub

Both wheelsets share the same carbon center section front hub & aluminum rear hub. They feature 18 double butted aero radially laced spokes & aluminum nipples up front & 21 (7 left + 14 driveside) spokes in the rear. Hubsets are available for Shimano or Campagnolo cassettes, with a 109kg rider weight limit.

FulcrumWheels.com

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Robin
Robin
6 years ago

I’m going to assume that Fulcrum would state that these were tubeless compatible if that were the case.

Tom
Tom
6 years ago
Reply to  Robin

The 40 looks like it has a bead shelf, can’t tell with the 50

Beaver
Beaver
6 years ago

The ETRTO definition is being revised right now. I am running 25mm tires on 21C since one year now, more comfort with less pressure at same/better speed and handling. 17C is good for 23mm tires, but not more.

pebakesa
pebakesa
6 years ago

“Speed 40C gets a 17mm internal width (24.2mm external) to pair optimally with 25-28mm clincher tires.”

If the tire is any more than a millimeter wider than the rim, any aero benefit from that rim is utterly negated as the airflow is separated at the tire-rim-interface. Therefore these Fulcrum rims are a total waste of money used with 28c tires and above, a marginal buy for riders using 25mm tires, and only really sensible for cyclists who enjoy the harsh ride of 23mm tires.

LowRider
LowRider
6 years ago
Reply to  pebakesa

Harsh ride of 23 mm? lol ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Barts
Barts
5 years ago

Great wheels. The rim size is a good compromise between aero and weight. The build quality of fulcrum and Campagnolo wheels is among the best in the business. The hubs are fantastic.The Fulcrum and Campagnolo wheels get good test results and the carbon and braketrack construction will hold easily in the mountains when braking causes a lot of heat.

Julien Carayon
4 years ago

What is the final conclusion about 23mm ? Compatible or not ?

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