Fulcrum ALU RACING 1

Pros

Stiff, light and very fast

Cons

A little too stiff for everyday cycling.

Review

Fulcrum, ALU RACING 1 Review

History and Marketing Blurb:

Fulcrum Wheels was established in July 2004, based on the idea of three aerospace engineers who are passionate about bicycles. The strong points of this young company include the use of unique patents, ongoing technological research, and the attractive and young-spirited design.

Fulcrum has developed a number of systems that are unique in the world: 2:1 Two-to-oneT, for doubling the number of spokes in critical points, Dynamic BalanceT, for obtaining a constantly balanced rotation dynamic, MoMagT, which ensures a durable assembly and perfect spoke holding, and A.F.S. (Axial Fixing System) for complete compatibility with all the off-road disc braking systems.

Fulcrum has also entered the world of tubeless road wheels, proposing the innovative 2-Way Fit system: an exclusive rim profile that makes it possible to fit either a tubeless tire or a classic clincher on the same wheel.


Translation:

So what does this translate to on the bike I hear you ask? A stiff fast wheel that has been tuned to give you a positive feel on the road.


How much Speed do they have?:

First impressions with these wheels I noticed I was rolling up on the rider in front of me. On a long decent, the racing 1’s seem to continuously pick up speed and you can really feel how silky smooth the hubs are. I ran my usual test down the same road where I have a starting point and finish and then find the top speed between these two points. Only when the weather conditions are the same and I run with the same routine. The Fulcrums are quick; on previous runs compared to similar profile wheels so far they are the fastest by 5km per hour. Now this is not an exact science but it helps me to gauge some form of real world testing. Otherwise it is just a case of “Oh they appear to feel faster”!


Reliability:
I tested the Racing 1's for four months; this is no indicator of reliability. I have been selling Fulcrum wheels for 5 years and in this time we have had fewer than three broken spokes and no hub issues. With confidence I can say this is one of the most reliable wheel set on the market.


Balance:
Well balanced wheels feel a lot smoother at speed. If you took your bike and mounted it in a repair stand, churned the crank then let the wheel fly it starts to rock the bike back and forth. The weight of the extra material used to join the rim unbalances the wheel entirely. Racing 1 wheels do not do this or at least not as badly. Fulcrum have added counterbalance to the rim and it’s noticeable when you ride. This alone would be a good reason to look at Fulcrum and Campy before any other brand.

All round wheel:
I would say leave these for racing. They are on the stiff side for bumpy surfaces. Overall a beautiful wheelset.