FFWD F3: High-end carbon all-rounder from the Netherlands

Market: With the FFWD F3, the Dutch manufacturer Fast Forward Wheels now has an attractive universal wheel set with 30mm high carbon rims in its range. With variants for rim and disc brakes, for clincher and tubular and with three different hubs from DT Swiss, there is something suitable for almost every application.

The Dutch wheel specialists from Fast Forward Wheels (FFWD), which are distributed in this country by TRAFFIC, fill the previous gap in the portfolio with the new F3R and F3D, which was below the aero wheelset F4. With 30mm high carbon rims, you walk the middle ground between low weight and thus good climbing properties and aerodynamics for the second hunters on the flat. The generous rim width of 22,4mm also underlines the universal character of the wheels.

As befits a modern 2016 wheelset, the new FFWD F3 wheels come in both rim brake (F3R) and disc brake (F3D) versions. The disc wheels are therefore also explicitly aimed at performance-oriented cross and gravel pilots. Likewise, buyers have the choice between the light versions for tubular tires and the clincher versions that are a little more suitable for everyday use. All wheels come with hubs from DT Swiss - with the FFWD F3R you have the choice between the high-quality DT 180 hubs with ceramic bearings, the proven DT 240s or the inexpensive FFWD by DT hubs. The latter come with the Fast Forward lettering, but the inner workings correspond to the DT Swiss 370 hubs. You have to put up with a few grams of extra weight and do without DT's own toothed disc freewheel, but it's a lot cheaper.

In order to achieve a strong deceleration performance with the rim brake versions as well, the FFWD headquarters in Zwolle have put some thought into it. For example, the braking surface of the tubular tire version has a basalt content, which is intended to reduce heat development on the one hand and increase braking performance on the other. The clincher variants even go one step further: a thin copper layer is worked into the braking surface, which is intended to quickly and effectively dissipate and distribute the frictional heat and only add a few grams to the weight.

However, since every wheel is only as good as its construction, all wheels at FFWD in Holland are laced by hand and checked several times before they make their way to the dealer or customer.