Fulcrum has created a new pinnacle for their wheels, and they are calling them +. For road, that means precision and lightness. Nothing epitomizes that designation more than the Speed 25+. At 1270g, about 15g lighter than the Speed 25, it is the lightest disc wheelset they make. If climbing is your thing, and you are looking for something to get you through the highest mountain passes, or you want to lighten up your ride for the next hill climb event, the Speed 25+ should be on your radar.
The predecessors, the Red Zone Carbon+ and Racing Light XLR, have been reborn into the Speed 25, now adding the plus moniker. A lightweight, low profile wheel is perfect for long distances due to stability in cross winds. With less surface area, there is less for crosswinds to grab on to. It’s also lower mass to keep propelling forward or take up inclines.
The Speed 25+ uses Fulcrums proprietary FF100 mix of resin fibers, optimizing strength, comfort, and reliability, with a Direct In-mold Matte Finish (DIMF), giving them a clean finish right out of the mold. Graphic now follow the Form Function Fulcrum design principle, providing a clean aesthetic to the wheels.
The rim itself is 26mm tall with a 27.6mm external width and 21mm internal width. A hooked inner channel allows the use of tubed and tubeless set ups, providing plenty of options depending on your preferences. Additionally, the rim has only one hole for the valve stem, making them tubeless ready without the need for rim tape. It also provides additional strength to the rim due to the continuous fibers that are not broken up by traditional drilling for spoke holes.
Since these are premium rims, Fulcrum uses CULTTM (Ceramic Ultimate Level Technology) ceramic bearings with ceramic coated races on the hubs. The Cup & Cone system allows you to fine tune the hub for the best smoothness and long term efficiency. For the freewheel, Fulcrum has lightened the unit, along with adding USB type ceramic bearings inside the body for XDR, N3W, and HG versions.
Lightweight carbon and ceramic bearings do not come cheap though. Starting at $2,955 for the HG freehub equipped set, the M3W adds $10 and XDR adds $12. Compared to many 50+mm wheelsets though, you have the ability to drop a few hundred grams, just by making the switch.
Keeping in mind I am a larger, heavier rider, I might argue the point of using deeper aero wheels for long distances, especially as more modern wheels are less affected by cross winds. But for smaller, lighter riders that might feel the buffeting more than I would, a light, low profile rim has its benefits. There is no debating though that lighter wheels are king when the road starts to climb. When every gram counts, the Fulcrum Speed 25+ has you covered.
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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