Technique

On test: Fulcrum Red Metal 3

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: Fulcrum

Published on Wednesday, 19 January 2011 06:24

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A pair of wheels with excellent value for money

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The Fulcrum Red Metal 3 were renovated in 2010 with a new rim, new spokes and new hubs. This allowed a weight reduction of about 130 grams compared to the old version. The rims are made of extruded aluminum and have a width of 19 mm. No more need to rim tape and are compatible with tubeless tires. The hubs are aluminum. The spokes have a variable section stainless steel, with Fulcrum 2:1 entrabe on wheels, with sixteen elements on the rear wheel and Leber on the disc side of the front and 8 on the opposite side. They have a declared weight of 745 grams for the front wheel and 940 grams for the rear. We detected 750 and 940 grams, while the locks weight 69 and 74 grams.

The road test

The Fulcrum Red Metal 3 are a good product, well made, but without those finishing touches and attention of their top range models, far more expensive. In their price range, however, defend themselves very well and only lovers will be brushed aluminum black colored lens that takes visibility to the metal. Good weight, aligned to direct competitors, now more competitive than previous versions. The paint is resistant to impacts and scratches and allows easy cleaning of the wheels. The installation is simple, the perfect opportunity to not take the rim tape, and compatibility with tubeless tires or tubeless-ready. All possibilities that expand the choices of tires, according to their preferences, but also to the various situations of competition or training. In movement, can appreciate the excellent stiffness of the wheels, which enables outstanding performance, but also a high reliability and longevity. Increasingly, high lateral stiffness. Good smoothness, on the bearing, among the best in its price range. Those three aspects lead to overall performance than good in its category, where it is not clear whether predominantly still managed to highlight his certain desirable characteristics. A perfect wheel for the XC racing, while only comfort is not high because of their rigidity. Use with a good tubeless tire, to be left to a minimum tire inflation pressure, also addresses this aspect and also makes them attractive for the simple amateur. The All Mountain continue to meet for their reliability, which enables it to absorb well over the jumps and bumpy vised, maintaining a good stability in balancing and voltage of the beams. In conclusion, a good pair of wheels mainstream. Do not weigh little in termni slots, but their weight is competitive for the price. Areo rigid, sliding and reliable pair of training wheels for the perfect agony as well as wheel racing. Perfect for the amateur All Mountain XC, looking for a competitive product, but reliable. They can be found on line at about 350 Euro, a competitive price for an excellent performance emerged.

Positive aspects

Build Quality

Fluency

Rigidity

Reliability

Price-performance ratio

Negative aspects

None

 

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Fulcrum Wheels

Website: www.fulcrumwheels.com