Princeton CarbonWorks wheels are easy to spot in the peloton. The unique rim shape, with an almost wave-like profile, is a dead giveaway. Its flagship all-arounder wheelset, the Wake 6560, might be its most well-known.
We’ve seen the Wake 6560 under Team Ineos, sponsor correct or not, and many others looking to tick the marginal gains even further in their favor. Now on its fourth generation, the new Wake 6560 Evolution surpasses the Strada as the fastest. Princeton says the new 6560 Evolution is the most significant step change in performance from one version to the next among all iterations in the Wake series. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.
Princeton Wake 6560 Evolution
The Princeton CarbonWorks Wake 6560 Evolution wheelset brings a revolutionary new shape to the Wake line. It is the second in the Evolution series, behind the Alta 3532. From extensive testing and development, the new Wake 6560 Evolution wheelset outperforms its predecessor, the Wake 6560 Strada, in overall efficiency, aerodynamics, and control.
What’s New?
The new Evolution profile matches alternating deep and shallow rim sections with alternating spoke sides. Princeton says this alternating design allows the steeper, high-tension spokes (drive side rear spokes and disc side front spokes) to connect to a deeper rim section and flatten those spoke angles. The bracing angle change helps balance spoke tensions, creating a stronger, more uniform wheel. This patented technology, ‘Radially Staggered Lacing,’ is exclusive to Princeton CarbonWorks road wheels.
New Rim: Wider, Faster, Lighter
Like many others in the wheel space, Princeton CarbonWorks is slowly increasing the width of its rims. The new Wake 6560 Evolution rim sees an increased width (21mm internal, 28.2mm max external) but is optimized for 25mm tires (not 28mm, which seems to be the new normal). The culmination is a wheel with better aerodynamic efficiency at all yaw angles and better rider control in crosswinds than the 6560 Strada. Even while adding width to the new Wake Evolution rim, the overall weight has been reduced by 10g per rim. Princeton attributes the weight reduction to the overall shorter cord length of the inner edge.
Long Live the Hooked Rim and Rim Brake. Princeton CarbonWorks firmly says, “Rim brake rims will always be available.” The Wake 6560 Evolution will continue to have a hooked, hole-less, tubeless-ready inner rim. This unique rim will accommodate clincher/tubed or tubeless tires with no tape needed. Plus, the new rim has zero tire pressure restrictions.
Why not hookless? Princeton says, “Competing hookless rims, while less expensive to manufacture and lighter weight, have proven problematic and potentially dangerous, especially concerning tire choices and tire pressure limits.” Princeton CarbonWorks still believes in a hooked rim providing the safest and fastest road riding and racing solution.
Match Your Ride
The new Princeton Wake 6560 Evolution rims come in Gloss Black, Matte Black, Gloss White, Matte White, Gloss Chrome, Gloss Gold, Matte Rose Gold, Matte High Vis Yellow, Gloss Purple, and Gloss Blue. So start picking out those anodized pieces now and save yourself some time!
Princeton Wake 6560 Evolution Pricing and Build Options
Princetons’ Wake 6560 Evolution wheelset is available in disc and rim brake with several hub options. Hub options range from White Industries, DT Swiss, Tactic Racing, and Chris King. Riders have the choice of ten unique paint jobs across three pricing tiers.
Every wheelset is manufactured, painted, and hand-assembled to order. Wheelsets purchases included padded wheel bags and brake pads/skewers for rim brake wheels.
For more information or to order your own, check out Princetoncarbon.com and stay tuned for a full review when we get our hands on them.
