FSA RD-600 Road Wheelset 700C 18/24H Shimano

FSA RD-600 Road Wheelset Clincher 700C / 18/24H

• Deep sectionrims deliver light weight and super aerodynamics
• 3 flange hub shelters 1/3 of spokes from wind and simplifies load transfer
• Giant, 110 mm., fiercely torque efficient center flange
• AL7075/T6 cassette body
• XA-14 stainless spokes and unique tear shape
• SpokePrep on spoke threads
• Hidden nipples for wind, weather, weight, and beauty
• Artisan built, entirely by hand, serially numbered
• Includes ScattoTM QR, spoke wrench, and rim tapes
• 30mm deep section rim
• O.L.D. (F/R) - 100mm / 130mm
• Cassette - Shimano 9/10-speed - Campagnolo is also available
• Spoke (F/R) - 18deg x 0 / 24deg x 0/x1/x0
• Spoke Gauge - 2.0-(1.3x2.1)-2.0mm
• weight 1580g/pr

What's up with the 3 flange hubs?

Avant garde in appearance, RD-600 is really a conventional wheel in that radial, lateral, and torsional loads are borne according to the same principles as traditional tensioned wheels.

What's unique, then? Let's follow the wheel through its construction to discover the differences. Step one is lacing up the giant center flange. This flange and its six spokes sit directly behind the rim and tire, sheltered from wind from ahead. Aerodynamically, the wheel behaves more like a 12 spoke wheel than 18.

Center spokes carry full tension and control the wheel's radial roundness. Huge flange diameter, 110 mm, combined with spoke crossing, creates a robust structure for torque loads which are a serious rear wheel issue. With RD-600, these spokes are undistracted by side loads and, located directly beneath the rim, are perfectly positioned for radial loads, like body weight.

Their efficiency enables the side spokes to do more effective lateral bracing. Adding the side spokes, with their favorable angles, gives the wheel its full lateral strength and stability. In effect, we've simplified load transfer by creating spoke teams: torque specialists and side load specialists. The resulting structure is strong and resilient without being brittle or uncomfortable.

All the while, one third of the spokes are sheltered from frontal wind; a unique and valuable combination.

Understanding why this system is so rigid with apparently few side spokes takes diving a bit deeper into this wheel's design.

Loads on a wheel don't occur in isolation. Lateral and torsional loads always occur with a radial load. A realistic test of lateral stiffness must include a simultaneous radial load.

Lateral stiffness of RD-600 isn't fully revealed until such a combination event. For example, a 12 spoke wheel of conventional design would not exhibit much lateral stiffness because the effort of supporting the rider absorbs so much of its capacity. A radial load temporarily loosens spokes beneath the hub. With RD-600, center spokes support radial loads so efficiently that side spokes are better able to resist lateral forces than if they weren't so assisted.

In this way, a wheel with 12 side spokes can deliver outstanding lateral stiffness; stiffness that is not apparent until the test includes a simultaneous radial load. That, fortunately, is always the case with real world riding.