Fulcrum has announced a new Speed 40 Clincher wheel with 40mm carbon-fibre rims designed for aerodynamic efficiency.
The wheelset borrows a lot of technology from Fulcrum’s existing Speed 40T tubular wheel but, being a clincher, it’s more convenient for the majority of riders and circumstances.
The 40mm rim profile features the same 3k finish and HTG resin (it has a high melting point) as the tubular version. It’s designed to be aerodynamically efficient as well as rigid and lightweight. The rim comes out of the mould with spoke holes already in place so they don’t need to be drilled afterwards, a process that could potentially weaken the structure and compromise its integrity, according to Fulcrum.
Check out our complete guide to Fulcrum wheels.
“Particular attention was paid towards developing a braking surface that performed as flawlessly as the tubular 40T [tubular] version while remaining as surefooted, without flex and capable of dissipating heat in an efficient manner despite the design geared towards a completely different rim/tyre interface,” said Fulcrum.
“Couple the advanced carbon fibre and resin used for the Speed 40 clincher with the universally lauded 3Diamant braking surface and the result is a rim that lasts as long as the rider and offers a braking performance without rival as well.”
The 3Diamant surface treatment is designed to allow the brake pads to work directly on the woven carbon fibres rather than on the resin. Fulcrum says that this process “eliminates the ‘breaking-in’ period, improves braking performance under both wet and dry conditions and creates a more linear and smooth overall braking performance.”
The front hub – carbon fibre with aluminium alloy flanges – has a diameter of just 28mm, the idea being to keep the weight low and provide an aero advantage. The wheels spin on Fulcrum’s USB (Ultra Smooth Bearings) ceramic bearings with cup and cone adjustment.
The rim has a 24.2mm external width and 17mm internal width. The wheelset weight is a claimed 1,420g (621g front, 799g rear).
The price for the wheelset, available in both Campagnolo and Shimano/SRAM versions, is €1,922 (we don’t yet have a UK price).
Mat has worked for loads of bike magazines over 20+ years, and been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. He's been road.cc technical editor for eight years, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a past winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer.