Manuele Mori grinds through the prologue of the 2011 Tour of Qatar on his Wilier Cento 1, decked out with Fulcrum Racing Speed wheels. Keep reading to find RBA's test another Fulcrum tubular set, the Racing Zero.
(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
FULCRUM RACING ZERO TUBULAR
Fast aluminum from the first name in bike parts
TECH
Fulcrum Racing Zero Tubular wheels are stunning to behold, and equally so in the technical sense. The racing Zero is the top-of-the-line aluminum racing wheel, and it bristles with trickery—from its ceramic hybrid bearings and dynamically balanced rim to its novel, 2:1 rear hub lacing with double the number of spokes on the drive-side hub-flange. Fulcrum is Campagnolo’s sister brand, originated to expand the elite Italian parts maker’s influence into the realm of OEM and aftermarket bike brands that would not be a match for the powerful Campagnolo brand (read: Shimano- and SRAM-equipped). Fulcrum wheels are made in the same Vicenza factory and with the same relentless attention to perfection and detail as the mother brand, and the 1430-gram Racing Zero bears witness to this fact.
STANDOUT FEATURES
Fulcrum uses two rim profiles for the Racing Zero. The front rim has a 26-millimeter semi-aero shape, while the rear is a more substantial 30-millimeter profile. The aluminum extrusion produces with a very thin wall with a raised rib at the apex of the spoke interface (similar to Mavic Ksyrium). Computer machining centers reprofile the rim to remove excess material between the spokes, and while doing so, the machine leaves a little extra material in the gap opposite the valve stem hole to dynamically balance the wheel at high rpm. Racing Zero hubs sport carbon fiber centers, directpull spoke flanges and ceramic hybrid bearings.
A clamp-type bearing adjuster allows the end-play to be tuned to perfection while the wheel is fixed in the dropouts. The rear hub’s spoke lacing is a bit wild looking, with seven bladedaluminum spokes in a radial pattern on the non-drive side, and 14 in a crosstwo pattern on the drive side. The 16- spoke front wheel is radial-laced. We tested the aluminum-spline Campagnolo freehub wheelset, which weighs 615 grams for the front wheel and 815 grams for the rear (no quick-releases). Fulcrum offers a SRAM/Shimano option as well with a steel cassette spline that weighs slightly more. Plan on spending around $1600 for the set, which includes quickreleases, a special spoke magnet, Fulcrum wheel bags and dedicated spoke wrenches.
SETUP
Our Fulcrum Zero Tubular wheels were set up with Continental Sprinter 22mm tubulars at 160 psi. The Fulcrum wheels replaced Zipp 404 Carbon Clinchers with Hutchinson Atom tires, which resulted in almost even weights. The switch required no rear derailleur tuning, but we replaced the Zipp Cork Composite brake pads with standard Campagnolo Record items to match the aluminum rims. Fulcrum’s build was beautifully done with the rims running true on both axes and spoke tension tight and even.
RATINGS
Initial setup: 2
Glue-on tires are not user-friendly, but other than that, Fulcrum wheels were easy keepers.
Weight: 3
We expected a lighter wheelset for a $1600 tubular.
Acceleration/climbing: 3
Efficient and stiff, the stronger riders liked them, but lower-watt climbers would have liked lighter hoops.
Road comfort: 3
Watch your tire pressure as the vertical stiffness of the Racing Zero rim tends to transmit road shock to the rider.
Cornering feel: 5
Armed with grippy Continental tubulars, the Fulcrum Zeros felt better in the turns than any wheel we’ve recently tested. The feel is smooth and ultra-secure.
Braking: 4
Wonderful trueness, balanced wheels and precisely machined aluminum braking tracks make hard stops feel predictable and ensure pulse-free braking while negotiating in a peloton or when trail-braking into a turn.
Windy conditions: 4
Minimal rim profiles keep the wheels tracking straight in crosswinds while bladed spokes reduce some aerodynamic drag. Good for changing conditions in the mountains.
Durability: 4
We really put some hard miles on the Fulcrum Zeros, and they have not shown any weakness.
BEST USE
Mountain road race stages, rough pavement or high-speed braking.
BUYING ADVICE
In the world of low-profile tubular wheels, 1430 grams is a bit porky, and there are a lot of wheels out there that are much lighter for less money. If weight is not of paramount concern, and handling and reliability are, then Fulcrum’s Racing Zero is a logical choice. This is a tubular wheelset that will not raise questions while you are drafting the team support vehicle at 65 miles per hour down twisty mountain passes (RBA does not recommend such activities). The Racing Zero Tubular is a good choice for those strong riders who want only one wheel for both training and racing.
STATS
FULCRUM RACING ZERO TUBULAR WHEELSET
Price: $1600
Weight: 1430 grams (no quick releases)
Compatible: Shimano/SRAM, Campagnolo
Info: www.fulcrumwheels.com
RITCHEY WCS ZETA
Old school meets cutting edge
TECH
Ritchey wheels obtain their advantages with a blend of conservative design and innovative nuances like vanadium alloy aluminum rims for added rigidity and offset spoking paired with closely spaced rear hub flanges (a la American Classic) to even the spoke tension of the rear wheel. Ritchey’s 24- millimeter-profile WCS Zeta wheelset incorporates many such features and fits into the sport-racing category.
STANDOUT FEATURES
Ritchey’s narrow-profile Zeta rim dates back to an earlier time when the spokes were asked to support more of the loads and the rim was much more compliant. The WCS Zeta rim is less than an inch thick and laced cross-two with a 20-spoke front wheel. The 24- spoke rear wheel uses a wild-looking drive-side “trident” lacing pattern with four groups of three, featuring one radial spoke crossed by a pair of bladed spokes. The assumption is that the radial spokes better support the wheel while the crossed spokes absorb pedaling torque and braking stress.
The spokes themselves are a mixture of bladed and round Sapim stainless steel set to a significant tension. Hubs are straightforward-looking items that roll on high-tolerance, German ball bearings with aluminum axles; snap-on endcaps; and narrow, midsize rear flanges, which work to even the nondrive- side spoke tension and, thus, better support the wheel both laterally and vertically. Published weights for the WCS Zeta wheelset are 665 grams (front) and 880 gram (rear) without quick-releases (total on our scale was 1624g). WCS Zeta wheels come in Campy or Shimano/SRAM cassette options and with steel-shaft quickreleases that look to be a step above standard Taiwan fare. Retail prices hover around $700.
SETUP
We mounted the WCS Zeta wheels to Maxxis Cormet One70 tires at 120 psi. Brake pads were SwissStop. Tires mounted up precisely by hand, and the slip-rim profile required no valve extensions. Ritchey includes high-quality rim strips with each wheel for anti-puncture insurance. A credit to Ritchey’s racing heritage, the Shimano cassette lined up perfectly with the existing derailleur settings and shifted without hesitation. Those who have experienced a midrace wheel change can vouch for the importance of such a feature.
RATINGS
Initial setup: 4
No-sweat tire installation and nearperfect cassette alignment.
Weight: 3
We expected a lighter-weight wheel from Ritchey in the WCS category, although 1624 grams is not too shabby for an aluminum clincher.
Acceleration/climbing: 3
Strong riders will be able to flex the WCS Zeta, but not enough to dampen its efficient feel when climbing and closing gaps.
Road comfort: 4
Boosted by the wonderful ride of the Maxxis Cormet tire, Ritchey’s 24-millimeter- profile rim and novel spoke lacing makes for a comfortable day in the saddle.
Cornering feel: 4
Quote: “Cornering the WCS Zetas was fun. Their well-built feel allowed me to take high-speed turns faster and made it easier to push deeper into the entries.”
Braking: 4
Smooth, strong stopping and with no hint of chatter or noise.
Windy conditions: 4
Wonderful control in gusty conditions. Get some help for headwinds, though, because the WCS Zeta has no aerodynamic value.
Durability: 3
So far, so good. Ritchey’s consummate training wheel seems to be tough enough to take on any road, but we have not hit that unseen pothole yet which will determine if the shallow-profile Zeta rim can withstand a serious impact.
BEST USE
Training, sport-racing, endurance rides.
BUYING ADVICE
With its 24-millimeter rim profile and sturdy construction, the Ritchey WCS Zeta wheelset is targeted at the “one wheel to rule them all” customer who wants a reliable, all-around performer with ample performance to win a local race and enough comfort to take the edge off a 100-plus-mile training ride.
STATS
RITCHEY WCS ZETA WHEELSET
Price: $709.95
Weight: 1624g Front: 675g Rear: 949g
Compatible: SRAM/Shimano, Campagnolo
|