Michael
02.02.2008, 09:46
Vicenza, 01 February 2008 – Fulcrum introduces RedCarbon, the new model with carbon fibre rims dedicated to XC/All Mountain biking and weighing only 1,450 g per pair.
RedCarbon is the result of three years of studies and tests during which Fulcrum's aim was to realize a pair of wheels that would be lighter than RedMetal Zero – the model used by Julien Absalon when he conquered the rainbow jersey at the 2007 World Championships – but with even greater performance.
Fulcrum worked on three levels to obtain this result:
peripheral weight reduction: the use of carbon fibre for the rim has led to a considerable reduction of the wheel’s peripheral weight. This translates into greater reactivity so that now the RedCarbons are 15 percent more reactive than the RedMetal Zeros.
reduction of the number of spokes: the pair now has 8 fewer spokes than the RedMetal Zero wheel, four fewer in the front and four fewer in the rear. This means an overall reduction of the weight and, above all, a rotation of the rotating mass, and has therefore further increased the reactivity of both wheels.
asymmetrical rims: in order to reduce the number of spokes and maintain the same torque transmission as the RedMetal Zero pair, Fulcrum has made asymmetrical rims with carbon fibre. This is because the asymmetry improves the dish, the rigidity and the solidity of the wheel. The rear rim is asymmetrical on the freewheel side to improve torque transmission, while the front wheel is asymmetrical on the disc side to improve wheel rigidity during the braking stage, thereby increasing the bike’s steerability.
The RedCarbon wheels will be used by Julien Absalon during 2008 and will debut officially at the first World Cup event at Houffalize in Belgium.
They will go on sale, on the other hand, starting from October 2008.
Fulcrum RedCarbon – Technical Data
Rim
Material: carbon fibre
Height: 24.5 mm
Inside width: 19 mm
Profile: asymmetrical: freewheel side on the rear wheel and on the disc brake side at the front. Rim without braking surfaces.
Finish: carbon fibre
Spokes
Material: aluminium
Profile: aero
Nipples: oversize in stainless steel
Spoking: 20 front and 20 rear. Crossed in threes in the rear wheel on the freewheel side and in the front wheel on the disc brake side; in twos on the other sides
Finish: anodized satinized black
Hubs
Body: Oversize in aluminium
Axles: aluminium with 20 mm diameter front and rear
Bearings: Adjustable high-precision bearings for the AFS version (Shimano Center Lock compatible), with cone/cap adjustable bearings for the 6-screw disc brake version
Freewheel: monolithic freewheel body with two sealed bearings
Compatibility
UST Tubeless
Disc: international standard and Axial Fixing System
Weight: 1,450 grams
http://www.light-bikes.de/forum/../website/new/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fulcrum-redcarbon-2.jpg
http://www.light-bikes.de/forum/../website/new/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fulcrum-redcarbon-1-small.jpg (http://www.light-bikes.de/forum/../website/new/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fulcrum-redcarbon-1.jpg)
RedCarbon is the result of three years of studies and tests during which Fulcrum's aim was to realize a pair of wheels that would be lighter than RedMetal Zero – the model used by Julien Absalon when he conquered the rainbow jersey at the 2007 World Championships – but with even greater performance.
Fulcrum worked on three levels to obtain this result:
peripheral weight reduction: the use of carbon fibre for the rim has led to a considerable reduction of the wheel’s peripheral weight. This translates into greater reactivity so that now the RedCarbons are 15 percent more reactive than the RedMetal Zeros.
reduction of the number of spokes: the pair now has 8 fewer spokes than the RedMetal Zero wheel, four fewer in the front and four fewer in the rear. This means an overall reduction of the weight and, above all, a rotation of the rotating mass, and has therefore further increased the reactivity of both wheels.
asymmetrical rims: in order to reduce the number of spokes and maintain the same torque transmission as the RedMetal Zero pair, Fulcrum has made asymmetrical rims with carbon fibre. This is because the asymmetry improves the dish, the rigidity and the solidity of the wheel. The rear rim is asymmetrical on the freewheel side to improve torque transmission, while the front wheel is asymmetrical on the disc side to improve wheel rigidity during the braking stage, thereby increasing the bike’s steerability.
The RedCarbon wheels will be used by Julien Absalon during 2008 and will debut officially at the first World Cup event at Houffalize in Belgium.
They will go on sale, on the other hand, starting from October 2008.
Fulcrum RedCarbon – Technical Data
Rim
Material: carbon fibre
Height: 24.5 mm
Inside width: 19 mm
Profile: asymmetrical: freewheel side on the rear wheel and on the disc brake side at the front. Rim without braking surfaces.
Finish: carbon fibre
Spokes
Material: aluminium
Profile: aero
Nipples: oversize in stainless steel
Spoking: 20 front and 20 rear. Crossed in threes in the rear wheel on the freewheel side and in the front wheel on the disc brake side; in twos on the other sides
Finish: anodized satinized black
Hubs
Body: Oversize in aluminium
Axles: aluminium with 20 mm diameter front and rear
Bearings: Adjustable high-precision bearings for the AFS version (Shimano Center Lock compatible), with cone/cap adjustable bearings for the 6-screw disc brake version
Freewheel: monolithic freewheel body with two sealed bearings
Compatibility
UST Tubeless
Disc: international standard and Axial Fixing System
Weight: 1,450 grams
http://www.light-bikes.de/forum/../website/new/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fulcrum-redcarbon-2.jpg
http://www.light-bikes.de/forum/../website/new/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fulcrum-redcarbon-1-small.jpg (http://www.light-bikes.de/forum/../website/new/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fulcrum-redcarbon-1.jpg)