dougdunn

Does anyone have Fulcrum disc brake wheels? I am doing a frame-up build and am considering a Fulcrum wheelset. But I don't understand the proprietary "AFS" rotor mounting system that Fulcrum has. Can anyone give me a tutorial? Specifically, how does the system allow for 142mm AND 135mm dropout measurements? How do the rotors mount and what type of rotors do I need - centerlock or 6-bolt? Do I need adapters or lockrings? And I have a bunch more questions. Thanks.

HillRider

Looking at Fulcrum's web site it appears "AFS" is just their marketing name for their axle positioning system. These hubs take 12mm x100 front and 12mm x142 rear through axles and use a centerlock disc mount. Lockrings probably come with the hubs and use an external notch (bottom bracket tool for installation and removal. The rear hub could be used with adapters to use a standard 135mm QR skewer.

vespasianus

Yup. Make sure you get a good quality bottom bracket tool (44mm and not 41 outer Diameter). Things like the Pedro's or other cheap tools don't work well. Also, the rings are a little soft so tighten to spec but do it carefully. You don't want to damage the notches so that you have issues later trying to remove the ring. And yes, I have done that. ):

HillRider

Some disc rotors come with their own lockrings and Shimano's rotors use the same lockring tool as their cassettes. I don't know if the Fulcrum hubs use the same threads as Shimano hubs or if this type of lockring would work.

vespasianus

The fulcrum lock rings are different. Shimano uses cassette locking while Fulcrum uses a larger locking.

DaveSSS 

I just bought Fulcrum racing 3 disc wheels and put Campy centerlock rotors on them. The wheels come with the lock rings. I used a Shimano standard wrench on the lock rings - Park BBT-9. I also have a very old Park BBT-19 cup type wrench with a 3/8" square drive that worked, but not perfectly. I later face sanded the cup type wrench on my vertical disc sander to give the teeth a better grip.

Eventually, owners of Campy or Fulcrum disc wheels will need a special plastic tool to hold the axle internally, while the left hand threaded lock nut on the end of the axle is removed. Without it, you can't remove a freehub body or service the bearings. The tool is a plastic hex wrench. Campy warns not to try an ordinary hex wrench or the thin walled aluminum axle may be damaged.

dougdunn

OK, so far so good, I think? Confused about the rear hub/dropout width. Just give it to me straight, please. Do Fulcrum hubs fit a frame with 135mm rear dropout measurement? Sorry to be so dense! Doug

DaveSSS 

Look at the axle compatibility listing at the fulcrum website. The racing 4,5,6 list 142/135 axle compatibility, while the racingzero and racing 3 that I have only lists 142.

https://www.fulcrumwheels.com/en/whe...ls/racing-6-DB

gsa103

The rotors need a Shimano Hollow-Tech II bottom-bracket tool (Park BBT-9 or similar).