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Fulcrum Speed 55 DB mixes aero, tubeless & discs in fast new carbon road bike wheels

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset
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Fulcrum Speed 55 DB wheels finally add a new 2-Way fit tubeless option to their deepest mid-profile aero carbon disc brake road race wheels. After earlier rim brake versions, the 55mm deep Speed 55 DB debuted more than two and a half years ago as a tubular-only aero carbon racing wheelset. It’s been a mainstay of road pros like on the Team Cofidis De Rosa Merak, but this new tubeless version adds more versatility for pro and amateur alike.

Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road bike wheels

Fulcrum’s sets their bar for race-ready aero performance with the Speed wheel range, so it was time to open up the family to a broader group of riders on modern disc brake bikes and tubeless tires.

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset, Elia Viviani Team Cofidis
c. Fulcrum, photo by Tornanti

The Speed 55 DB is said to use a ‘new rim profile’ which looks to mostly share the same wind-tunnel tested & race proven shape of its tubular predecessor. Fulcrum even says that this new rim tested with the best aerodynamics of any wheel in their line-up.

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset

Working from the 26.5mm wide x 55mm deep aero aerodynamic shape, it gets a hooked tubeless 19mm internal to work best with low rolling resistance 25-28mm tubeless race tires (min. 23mm, max 40mm). Total wheelset weight is kept to a relatively light 1580g for this mid depth.

Speed 55 DB – Tech details

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset

The new Speed 55 DB aero carbon wheels feature much the best tech that Fulcrum & parent company Campagnolo have to offer.

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset

The wheels use oversized flange machined alloy hubs (with a carbon front hub shell), 21 straight-pull double-butted round stainless steel spokes per wheel in a 2:1 configuration & on one side, 14 on the other), 12-mm alloy thru-axles, centerlock (AFS)disc brake interface, and mid-spec USB ceramic bearings with adjustable pre-load.

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset

The full carbon rims are constructed of UD fibers, with a reinforced woven twill top layer, and are 2-Way fit hooked tubeless-ready, not requiring rim tape thanks to their continuous Momag rim bed (without spoke holes).

Fulcrum Speed 55 DB – Pricing & availability

2020 Fulcrum Speed 55 DB aero carbon road wheels,55mm mid depth aerodynamic 2 way fit carbon tubeless disc brake road bike race wheelset

The new carbon Fulcrum Speed 55 DB wheels retail for $2498 / 2045€ with either Shimano HG or Campagnolo freehub bodies ($11 / 9€ extra for a SRAM XDR driver). Fulcrum says they are available now globally, but warn that some countries may see varying arrival delays due to worldwide COVID-19 distribution impacts.

FulcrumWheels.com

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Velo Kitty
Velo Kitty
4 years ago

Hasn’t this model been out for a while? If it’s just being released now, why the rather narrow 19 mm internal width? Is it hooked or hookless? Can we see a close-up? What is Fulcrum’s official position on the ETRTO standard?

It still seems to me like straight-pull spokes are a solution in search of a problem.

I am a big fan of Fulcrum’s sealed rim beds. Not having to use rim tape is a major blessing.

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