Fulcrum

Racing Light XLR Wheelset - Tubular

The perception of low-profile carbon fiber rims has never been one to inspire confidence on anything but the smoothest of uphill slopes. The Fulcrum Racing Light XLR Wheelset, however, is a tubular platform that is built to deliver speed and reliability when you demand absolute lightness and supreme durability, especially on race day. With Campagnolo using Fulcrum as a brand extension to provide greater access to Campagnolo's legendary Italian engineering, many of the same technologies are shared between the two brands. This is most evident as the Racing Light actually uses the same rim as the svelte Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra, a storied wheel that has long since proven itself all across the pro tour, from skimming over bone-shaking cobblestones in the spring classics to deftly kicking up the highest switchbacks in the world at the apex of the Tour de France.

The Racing Light XLR makes liberal use of carbon fiber in both the rims and the hubs to keep the weight to a bare minimum. The tubular rims are 100% carbon fiber and utilize Fulcrum's Dynamic Balance System; special layers of fabric are oriented to balance the weight of the valve stem, so you can expect that the Racing Light XLR's will spin smoothly at any speed. The carbon/aluminum hubs roll on Fulcrum's CULT ceramic bearings, super-round silicon nitride balls in Cronitect steel races. The steel in these races is especially hard as a result of its crystalline structure, and it features a thermo-chemical surface treatment to minimize friction and deter corrosion.

The Fulcrum Racing Light XLR Tubular is a no-holds-barred wheelset for climbers who still appreciate the sweetness of tubular tires. It's light enough to use on the nastiest climbs, yet more than durable enough for any terrain you'd ever encounter. It ships with all-weather brake pads optimized for the carbon fiber braking surface, as well as Fulcrum's new quick release skewers that offer greater clamping force and more security. The rear wheel is available with a Campy compatible aluminum freehub body or steel-bodied version compatible with Shimano/SRAM cassettes. And one minor technical note: Campagnolo recommends that the CULT bearing systems be lubricated with oil, instead of traditional grease.