Williams Cycling just announced a new carbon clincher disc wheelset to add to their wheel lineup – the System 44. The new mid section System 44 is their latest carbon offering cross, gravel, and road riding and now sits with their only other carbon disc brake wheel option for tubulars to offer a bit more choice. And this new wheel comes with a very affordable price that is making it hard for them to keep in stock…
Expanding from the shallower disc brake System 38 and the deeper rim brake System 53 and 85 wheelsets, the System 44 aims for mass market consumption with a budget friendly retail of $1100. By deleting the rim-braking surface, they’ve been able to trim some weight off the rim, allowing for a total wheelset weight of 1,592g. Both front and rear feature 24 Sapim CX-Ray spokes laced with Sapim brass nipples. While slightly heavier than alloy, the brass nipples hint at the fact that Williams intend riders to use their System 44’s everyday, not just for racing.
The “44” in the name reflects the depth of the rim, with an external width of 26mm and a relatively narrow internal width of 17mm. No word on tubeless compatibility, and for now it looks like this depth will be clincher only. The System 44 will use Williams’ perennial Six Sixty hubs, which have 6 pawls engaging with 60 ratchet teeth. The pawls engage in alternating groups of 3 to yield a fast 120 points of engagement. The hubs accept 6-bolt rotors and are available with a Shimano/SRAM 11sp freehub, Campagnolo 9/10/11 freehub, or a SRAM XD driver. The wheels are also compatible with all popular axle standards; quick release, 12mm, or 15mm front options, and quick release, 12x135mm, and 12×142 rear options via swappable end-caps; all of which are supplied with each set of wheels.
