Fulcrum Racing Quattro Db Carbon H40 Disc Wheels 2019 Review
The Fulcrum Racing Quattro Carbon DB wheels could well redefine the modern wheel wheel. They're bang on trend for a broad range of today's disc brake-equipped bikes and promise the trinity of light, fast and strong.
First, they're the correct material: carbon fibre, with a 3k core and unidirectional surface. And while Fulcrum doesn't tout them as tubeless fix, they are, with but the valve hole in the bed of the 40mm-deep aero department rims.
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The broad carbon rims are laced with 18 spokes in the front and 21 in the rear – a number low enough to keep the weight down, but loftier enough to make the wheels feel bombproof. The front is laced radially (where the spokes do not cross) on the right manus non-braking side, and two-cross on the braking side. The rear is two-cantankerous on the bulldoze side and radial on the braking side.
The hubs
The beautifully tight spokes emanate from some of the smoothest and most durable sealed-bearing, disc-specific hubs y'all tin buy in a ready-built wheel. From experience, Fulcrum hubs practice well in crappy British weather, on or off road. On paper and then, the Fulcrum DB Racing Quattro wheels should be awesome.
The hubs employ an disproportionate design to create a more even tension and working spoke angle between the rim and the hub.
The front hub has the biggest departure, with the correct side effectively flangeless, and the right (braking) side having a high flange. In reality, this correct flange isn't a traditional looking flat disc with spoke holes drilled in it, rather, it is a piece of CNC machined art, with material hewn away from every conceivable angle. The result is a structure that's barely there, merely also incredibly strong.
Information technology positions the braking side spokes up and out to create a proficient degree of triangulation and, therefore, forcefulness and immovability. Looking at the angle of the spokes on the right side, and the space still bachelor – when paired with a TRP carbon fork and a SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brake calliper – the right hand flange could accept been another millimetre, possibly even two, further out towards the brake rotor without being nearly to contacting the inside border of the brake calliper. This is more of an observation than a criticism, as I take nix complaints regarding stiffness and rigidity.
The rear hub uses a similarly CNC'd right hand (bulldoze side) flange, with the left flange shorter in height and of an arm design – with a radial spoke leading from each arm. The rear hub can exist specified with a 10/eleven-speed Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo uniform cassette body. The cassette body itself is an off-white colour – a Plasma handling applied by Fulcrum to ameliorate its resistance to corrosion.
The hubs come with a wide selection of interchangeable end caps to let employ with 12mm, 15mm or conventional quick release levers. Whatever bicycle you ride now, and whatever you lot might stop up riding in the about future, you can exist sure the Racing Quattro wheels volition be able to slot straight into its frame. They only push button on and pull off as required, all the same they don't accidentally fall off if they get knocked when installing the wheels or in transit. Changing the caps takes seconds. A solid design.
The rims
The rims are 40mm deep, which is a practical depth for an aero rim. There's enough of an aero effect that information technology feels similar it'due south worth having, yet information technology's shallow enough not to be grabbed past every awkward gust of wind.
The rims have an external width of 24.2mm, with an internal diameter measurement (ETRTO) of 17mm. The ETRTO is the important bit as it tells y'all the range of tyre widths yous tin safely use without issues. A 17mm measurement means they're adept for use with tyres from 25mm and upwards to 50mm. Given that the global trend, fifty-fifty in the speed and weight conscious pro peloton, is towards 25mm rubber as a minimum, and 28-35mm for a proficient many of us, the Racing Quattros seem to be right in the sweet spot.
The rims are undrilled, with merely the valve hole breaching the carbon rim bed. You might expect, as I did (earlier I read the small print) that this would mean they were tubeless set up. Well, talking to the folk at Fulcrum it seems that this is a coincidence not a planned design facet. Technically, they're not tubeless uniform – to the indicate where Fulcrum wouldn't facilitate sending some of its tubeless valves and valve extenders so I could rid the wheels of the black butyl menace. Still, in the proper name of science and bloody-mindedness, I converted them anyhow. No issues setting them up sans tubes – in fact I fifty-fifty managed it without a track pump.
The rims' bead shape grips the tyres well (with or without tubes) at low pressures, allowing you to experiment with enhanced grip levels and added comfort without worrying about unseating the tyres. I bottomed the rims a few times while riding off route, just and so far, to no significant harm.
I ran a set of Schwalbe'south crawly new Yard-Ane 'go-anywhere' road and trail tyres in 35mm – similar the wheels, brand new and bang on trend, and right in the go-zone for the versatile Racing Quattros. They give tons of grip, with low rolling resistance and, so far, no punctures. Their ability to be fast pretty much everywhere matches the versatile Racing Quattro'south wide ranging appeal to a tee. Their 35mm width lets yous use your hydraulic brakes on all surfaces with freedom and security, knowing the stable carcass fifty-fifty at 25psi won't squirm or fold. The 38mm version of the G-One would exist a hoot on these wheels, and withal well within the 50mm ETRTO limit.
The ride
I ran the wheels with 12mm thru-axles front and rear on a new Turner Cyclosys cyclo-cross frame with a TRP disc restriction-fix carbon fork. The cycle isn't a classical 'cross frame, more of a 'nu-school' crosser, with a nod to the new gravel and adventure markets. A slacker than average head angle, loads of tyre clearance and semi-compact, slightly sloping peak tube make it ready for whatever you place in front end of information technology, on tarmac or dirt. Coincidentally, the same MO as the Racing Quattro wheels.
This is where the wheels threw up a curve-ball. They ride similar office-specific race-day wheels, all revved up and raring to rip up the road, and and then, naturally, you expect them to exist fragile and delicate, with a need to be guarded from impairment and children's gluey fingers. In reality, they're street tough and ready for couple of pints and a scrap. They complement the Turner perfectly.
You could route race on these wheels no sweat. In fact that'southward what they're primarily for. Similarly, they'd be good on a disc brake-equipped tri or fourth dimension trial bike, their aero rims cleaving the air with authority. But they're also in their element on a cross cycle or a gravel bicycle up to their bits in crud. In fact, if you've got a new road bike with disc brakes, and yous want a gear up of ultra-reliable go-fast carbon wheels for it, you've arrived at your destination. If you demand that race day feel and speed, just with the build quality and full general 'gung-ho' mental attitude to ride 365 day a yr, then the Racing Quattro DB Carbon wheels are a mighty, mighty fine pick.
The first thing you notice when you plow the cranks on the Racing Quattros is their willingness to go off the line. They experience lighter than the scales say they are, and that's pretty light. Of grade anyone perusing the spec sheets volition encounter that there are numerous sets of cheaper blend-rim disc restriction-compatible road wheels, with similar stats, that don't cost a grand. That's true. Why bother with carbon and the added expense? The reply is that abrasive not-tangible, nebulous and highly subjective area of feel...
Having tested many pairs of carbon and alloy wheels, the truth is that carbon wheels feel soft, or smooth, withal often ride more precisely than blend wheels thanks to having inherently stiffer rims. I'm generalising a bit to make a point. Of grade, there are crap carbon wheels, as there are crap versions of every peachy thing. Good carbon wheels evangelize a ride feel that you have to feel to understand. That's the biggest problem with them: yous take to experience their great ride in society to get your caput around the added toll.
Once up to speed they concur it well, sending back low amplitude feedback from the route – plenty to pigment a detailed motion picture of the route surface, so yous know what'south going on with grip and how much speed the road (or trail) might have left in information technology.
Bumps, from the unseen road buzz right up to hit stones and roots on tracks, seem to be absorbed with less jarring – the carbon rims definitely play a critical role in this.
Naturally, any bicycle with such depression mass will climb well, and these certainly don't let you down as you go upwards. The freehub and tight spokes deliver fast, reliable power, and I've never seen or heard of a Fulcrum freehub giving up. They have the solid experience yous want from a wheel in a high performance situation. When that pesky passenger glides past you on a steep pitch, you go to the 'u' in 'just go' and the Racing Quattros are out of their traps like a greyhound to permit you bridge the gap.
> Check out our guide to the hottest disc brake-equipped road bikes for 2016 here
I've been pretty hard on these wheels, riding them off-route in typical cyclo-cantankerous conditions and some that edge on mountain biking. I wanted to meet if they were stiff plenty, stiff enough and durable enough to cope. They are. I'm quite confident you lot can ride or race these wheels anywhere. Even, though Fulcrum will hate me for saying information technology, in a cross-country mount wheel race on ane.9in prophylactic (the max width limit of the rim). So, if you're a 'ride everything' type and ain N+ane disc brake-equipped route and cantankerous bikes, and peradventure a 29er mountain cycle, this could be the best value pair of clincher wheels you e'er bought.
Stuff I don't like? The little clip out widgets that stop the valves from rattling didn't fit our valves for some reason so got lost before we could tape them to the road.cc fridge door for safety keeping. The wheels don't come with valve extenders either, which is a scrap of an oversight for whatever rim with whatsoever kind of depth. And when did Fulcrum stop shipping their expensive wheels with bicycle bags?
Verdict
Light, fast, stiff and strong, and very, very versatile
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Fulcrum Racing Quattro Carbon DB wheelset
Size tested: 24,2 mm, ETRTO 17C (tire fit 25 mm to 50 mm)
Tell united states what the wheel is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say nigh it? How does that compare to your ain feelings almost it?
The wheels are designed equally aftermarket upgrades for anyone wishing to lose weight and increase the performance of their bike.
Fulcrum says: "Whatever the situation, the promise is to go the ideal ride companion every day.
Thanks to its magical balance, the new 40 mm profile of these road bike wheels will do credit to itself on whatsoever road you tackle together.
Performance? It's aerodynamic, stable and fast. Climbs? It stays light and reactive when accelerating.
Downhills? Information technology's decisive and easy to handle.
Racing? It'due south simple - only try information technology!"
Tell u.s.a. some more than nearly the technical aspects of the wheel?
Information technology's a full carbon fibre rim, laced to some extremely durable, light weight sealed begetting disc brake specific hubs. The hubs have a wide range of axle fitting options.
Fulcrum distributor i-ride says: "The Racing Quattro Carbon comes in a disc brake format and cheers to its multiple adapters it is uniform with whatever manner fork or axle. Available in either AFS or 6-bolt hub standard, the Racing Quattro Carbon Disc is a well-rounded versatile and race-ready wheelset, perfect for upgrading your ride no matter what standard yous choose."
Charge per unit the bicycle for quality of structure:
ix/10
I'd trust these wheels completely in any riding situation.
Rate the bike for functioning:
9/10
The wheels add instant speed and agility to your wheel. They're strong enough to trust in loftier load situations, peculiarly those slow speed, loftier lateral load moments you sometimes have in cyclo-cross when lining up a downhill.
Charge per unit the wheel for durability:
nine/10
Immovability is a long game. So far these are yet looking and riding like they're make new, despite having been treated mean and shown plenty of mud. Other Fulcrum wheels I've had take exceeded our expectations for durability in terms of bearings, freehubs, carbon damage and overall article of clothing.
Charge per unit the bike for weight
eight/10
They're racy light.
Charge per unit the bike for value:
eight/10
A beautifully made carbon wheelset with all the plumbing fixtures optons these take for £1200 is a decent deal, though I'd accept liked valve extenders and wheels bags included.
Did the wheels stay true? Any issues with spoke tension?
Everything totally truthful fifty-fifty subsequently rallying them hard, taking flights of steps and the odd leap...
How easy did yous find it to fit tyres?
Simply right. Not also like shooting fish in a barrel, not a struggle.
How did the bike extras (eg skewers and rim record) perform?
The pop-on end caps allow fast aligning for any wheels or frames you need to fit them to.
Tell united states of america how the wheel performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It was perfect. Exceeding expectatons. Which were high.
Tell us what you particularly liked virtually the bicycle
Their versatility is the biggest win. From road racing to TT, to gravel or cross or even 90 (29er) mountain biking, you can utilize these to add speed to a fleet of different bikes.
Tell us what y'all particularly disliked about the bicycle
Aught. The valve holders got lost and are a stupid design. Not a bargain breaker though.
Did you bask using the wheel? Very much and then.
Would you consider buying the wheel? Yeah
Would you recommend the bicycle to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
I reckon the wheels' ability to piece of work across a broad range of bikes and bicycle styles more than mitigates their cost. Versatility goes a long mode in my book. That they're also very lite, fast and comfy to ride is just gravy.
Age: 43
I unremarkably ride: My seven titaniumMy best bike is:
I've been riding for: Over 20 yearsI ride: Every 24-hour intervalI would form myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, lodge rides, sportives, mount biking, a flake of everything
Source: https://road.cc/content/review/174198-fulcrum-racing-quattro-carbon-db-wheelset
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