Fulcrum | Cicli Corsa

Fulcrum Speed 42 | Wheelset

The new Fulcrum Speed 42 wheels are Fulcrum's first step into a new era and dimension of the brand, Form, Function, Fulcrum, where form and function are the fundamental concepts.

The Speed 42 wheels are the result of a process that involved over 4,000 hours of testing in wind tunnels, laboratories, and on the road. Seven versions of the rim were tested in multiple configurations to achieve the best performance in terms of aerodynamics, rolling resistance, lightness, and handling without compromising safety. An uncompromising evolution: the new rims (taller, wider, lighter, and more aerodynamic), new hubs, and new spokes, come together to create a perfect wheel system with a weight of 1,410 grams for the 42 mm version. The graphic design is entirely new, reflecting the new Form Function Fulcrum brand identity with a clean yet sophisticated design that integrates all technical product information through new iconography.

The Rim

The new Speed is available in a 42 mm version, replacing the previous 40 mm and 55 mm versions, while the internal width has increased from 19 mm to 23 mm. The rim's nose has also widened with a radius of 9.5 mm.

The new, wider rims, paired with 28 mm tires, offer a high-performance combination where aerodynamic penetration, rolling resistance, and comfort are optimized. In fact, the average aerodynamic advantage, measured in a wind tunnel under front wind conditions, is 10% better than a rim with a 19 mm internal width.

Despite the taller profile, handling is also significantly improved. A specific research pathway conducted by Fulcrum defined a formula considering the energy dissipated by the wheel during a direction change and the flexural deformation in relation to rolling and tilting. The data confirms that the handling of the new Speed improves by up to 17% compared to the previous generation.

The rim is made using Fulcrum-specific resins and fibers, where, unlike previous versions, the Speed 42 employs a new composite mix of high-modulus unidirectional fibers FF100.

Our patented DRSC™ system is also used: a specific plastic support embedded in the carbon, placed between the nipples and the rim, which ensures greater strength and durability of the system, distributing the nipple tension over a larger area more homogeneously and avoiding potential situations of galvanic corrosion.

The internal channel finish is achieved using C-LUX™ technology, resulting in a glossy finish that ensures an easy and perfect fit with the tire, while the external rim finish is achieved with DIMF (Direct Inmould Matte Finish) technology, resulting in a matte finish. The result is a look that reveals the precision of the underlying fiber positioning, with new product graphics applied through direct laser engraving on the fiber combined with new ultra-thin metal labels.

The Spokes

The Speed 42 uses 24 flat aerodynamic spokes Ø 2/1.6/2 mm and 2/1.7/2 mm, specifically designed for this wheel and laced with the Two-to-One™ system, which doubles the spokes in the areas subject to the most mechanical stress to prevent energy dispersion and counteract the torque.

The front wheel thus has 16 spokes on the disc side and 8 on the other side, while the rear wheel is built in the opposite way to counteract the forces developed by the transmission. This specific construction, combined with perfect spoke tensioning, gives the wheel torsional stiffness that allows maximum power transfer. Considering flexural and torsional deformation in relation to translation, rolling, and tilting energies, the new Speed improves by up to 10% compared to the previous generation.

The spokes are perfectly aligned between the hub and rim so that they never touch, improving performance and increasing the wheel's longevity. This is one of the key points of Fulcrum's product philosophy, applied to all the brand's wheels.

The Hub

The hubs have been completely redesigned to house a more precise freewheel mechanism while simultaneously reducing weight.

The reduction in hub dimensions is evident, with the flanges reduced by 40% and the central body by 10% compared to the previous generation, giving the wheel greater strength and lower aerodynamic impact without compromising torsional stiffness.

The bearings used for Speed 42 are cone-cup type and feature the USB™ system (Ceramic Ultra Smooth Bearings) with ceramic balls, ensuring unparalleled smoothness.

The hub system runs along its entire length on an aluminum axle made of aeronautical alloy, allowing the system to work with hundredth tolerances, guaranteeing performance and longevity. Fulcrum wheels are designed for specific use and function, so they do not require additional adapters or spacers compared to the axle, as often found in other products. This allows for a solid system that always works perfectly aligned.

The freewheel ratchet has been reinforced and enlarged and now houses 36 teeth. The wheel is available in configurations with Campagnolo N3W, Shimano HG, and Sram XDR freehub bodies.

Describing and listing all the technologies and product benefits of the new Speed 42 requires a level of detail that is difficult to summarize more than we have tried to do. What we wanted to convey is the perfect riding sensation these wheels offer. Lightness, Handling, Aerodynamics, and Responsiveness have never been so well balanced, thanks to the perfect integration of form and function.