Thoughts on the Fulcrum Racing 3
04-08-18, 10:03 AM
#1
Pizzaiolo Americano
Thread Starter
Thoughts on the Fulcrum Racing 3
Any thoughts or opinions out there on these wheels from those that have tried them? Looking for a low cost upgrade to my stock Trek Paradigm wheels. I want something lighter that rolls well. I can get these at a good price local so thought I may try them out...I am light enough that durability isn’t going to be an issue with most any wheel.
Last edited by Pizzaiolo Americano; 04-08-18 at 11:41 AM.
04-08-18, 11:24 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lewisburg, TN
Posts: 1,356
Bikes: Mikkelsen custom steel, Santa Cruz Chameleon SS, old trek trainer bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I have a set of 2 way fit 3's from... 2011 that are still true after thousands of miles. Love the wheels!
Likes For garciawork:
04-08-18, 11:31 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,925
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1818 Post(s)
Liked 1,693 Times
in
974 Posts
Durability wouldn't be an issue even if you were heavier. These are the Fulcrum equivalent of the Campagnolo Zondas.
04-08-18, 02:51 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,945
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3948 Post(s)
Liked 7,291 Times
in
2,945 Posts
I have three sets: Fulcrum 3, Fulcrum 3 2-way, and Campy Zonda. I've never had a problem with any of them, but if I were to do it again I would get all 2-way fit.
04-08-18, 09:37 PM
#5
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,634
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Is it true that fitting a clincher tire on a 2-way wheel is quite a bit harder than on a wheel designed to solely be for clincher tires?
04-08-18, 09:56 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,945
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3948 Post(s)
Liked 7,291 Times
in
2,945 Posts
04-09-18, 11:30 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 702
Bikes: 2015 CAAD 10; 2016 Felt Z85
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 156 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
I have them and like them. Nothing bad to report. They were an upgrade from the RS-11's that came with my bike (which weren't bad - I just wanted something lighter).
04-09-18, 01:07 PM
#8
Le Crocodile
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Santa Barbara Calif.
Posts: 1,873
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 369 Post(s)
Liked 787 Times
in
311 Posts
Excellent wheelset. I have run a pair almost 3800 miles, and they are still perfect. Tire changes are easy with Continental clinchers so that's a bonus.
I have hit some pretty bad potholes, and they are still super tight and dead true.
Highly recommended!
I have hit some pretty bad potholes, and they are still super tight and dead true.
Highly recommended!
04-09-18, 01:10 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,925
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1818 Post(s)
Liked 1,693 Times
in
974 Posts
It might actually be easier. These wheels have a centre channel where the tire bead can sit to allow the tight tubeless bead extra clearance during installation
04-09-18, 01:54 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Don't have Racing 3's but I have put many, many miles on the stock S-4 wheels that came on my Tarmac. Bombproof and relatively light. Very good wheels.
04-09-18, 09:09 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: West Gippy, Australia
Posts: 607
Bikes: 2017 Ridley Noah SL - Candy Apple DA9000, 2011 CAAD10 Berzerker Ult6800, 2013 FOCUS Mares CX Ult6800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great wheelset!
04-11-18, 10:15 AM
#12
Senior Member
Had Zonda C17's, you cant go wrong with Campy or Fulcrum wheels.
A lighter aluminum wheelset to break into the 1450g range will cost you around $470, but its also highly rated, tubeless ready.
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/colle...-28deep-22wide
A lighter aluminum wheelset to break into the 1450g range will cost you around $470, but its also highly rated, tubeless ready.
https://www.huntbikewheels.com/colle...-28deep-22wide
04-11-18, 10:54 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Madison, IN
Posts: 1,351
Bikes: 2015 Jamis Quest Comp
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 270 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
the fulcrum Racing 7 were an upgrade on my entry level bike...lighter, true...no problems after 15 months...
04-11-18, 10:59 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New Jersry the beautiful Garden State
Posts: 1,920
Bikes: 2007 Ridley Excalibur, 2003 Orbea Orca, 199? Cannondale Headshock MTB hardtail
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 520 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
https://www.campagnolo.com/US/en/Wheels/wheel_zonda
It says that only Shamal and Eurus are Ultra-Fit. Correct? If so, then I guess that my Zonda C17 are not tubeless ready.
04-13-18, 09:14 AM
#15
Pizzaiolo Americano
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the advice! I went in to get the Racing 3 wheels but...my LBS offered me a new set of Fulcrum Zeros for a deal I couldn’t pass up. Ended up getting the wheels, new Continental 4000 GP IIs and a 11-32 Ultegra cassette for 800.00...Had to do it...I need the extra gearing where I live on the foot of the Italian Dolomites. We don’t have flat roads.
Likes For Pizzaiolo Americano:
04-13-18, 11:19 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,473
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1743 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
740 Posts
I have a friend who is a rep in the industry and he thinks well of Fulcrum 3's. I've been using and happy with Mavic Ksyrium Elites but if I wasn't I would be looking at them too.
04-13-18, 11:39 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,804
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 501 Post(s)
Liked 626 Times
in
370 Posts
I like them a lot. I have about 6000 miles on a set, and about 3000 on another, and they are as true as day one. Just keep an eye on the hubs when new, they will develop a little play, and the rear has that tiny allen that you don't want to over torque when adjusting it.
04-15-18, 10:35 AM
#18
Pizzaiolo Americano
Thread Starter
So, I know this is anecdotal but, I went out with my new Fulcrum Racing Zeros today. I set eight personal bests on Strava. I changed the cassette at the same time so it is hard to tie it to just the wheels but, whatever I did is working...I dig my new set up...
04-15-18, 10:39 AM
#19
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
If you try to put a tire on any tubeless rim the "normal" way (letting the first bead be set before trying to seat the second, and seating the second bead the whole way around before it's all inside the rim), you'll break your thumbs trying. If you do it the right way (leaving the first bead in the center channel, then moving the first part of the second bead inside the center channel before finishing the second bead), it's cake.
04-19-18, 12:57 PM
#20
Pizzaiolo Americano
Thread Starter
In the end, I ended up with both sets. I bought myself a set of Fulcrum Zeros for a great price. I liked them so much, I got a set of Fulcrum 3s for my wife. I went in to get her a new rear cassette with some more gearing and they made me a good deal on these...She is thrilled with them. They roll better and the extra range of the cassette is working in our area. We don't have flat roads and she is able to keep up much better now...
04-26-22, 07:58 PM
#21
Full Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 478
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 112 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
What features have been added to the Fulcrum 3s since 2005?
I know in the middle of the decade there was a white front hub.
I know in the middle of the decade there was a white front hub.
Last edited by avhed; 04-26-22 at 08:07 PM.
