Product news: New E-MTB specific wheels from Fulcrum

Product news: The E-MTB movement has grown from a small niche market into a real market. With the increasing number of electrically assisted mountain bikes on the trails, Fulcrum has set up a task force within its own research and development specifically for the EMTB market. The aim was to determine the EMTB specific requirements of a wheelset.

While engineers have succeeded in developing EMTB frames that are very similar to their human-powered counterparts. The requirements for the drive train and impeller differ significantly compared to a classic mountain bike.

Fulcrum has set itself the goal of producing a full line of EMTB wheels that address the needs of an electrically powered mountain bike while still not neglecting performance and reliability.

Pushing the limits and creating a fantastic driving experience without compromising on reliability and durability was a difficult task. This was mainly due to the enormous forces through which the EMTB drive acts on the impeller.

The engineers at Fulcrum HQ worked tirelessly to combine the foreknowledge of traditional MTB wheel production with knowledge of the unique forces, movements and needs that E-MTB brings. An increased bicycle weight, significantly more power through the drive train and overall larger forces are issues that have to be dealt with.

The more extreme driving dynamics require a more stable and elastic structure, but without increasing the weight of the products. In this way, a new standard was set for both driving practice and solid construction.

Every single part of a wheel in the Fulcrum EMTB series has been specially developed to ensure resistance to higher impacts, to efficiently transmit the extreme power from such powerful drivetrains and yet to combine it in a light and robust housing. These factors should result in a reactive and agile driving performance.

The Fulcrum E-MTB wheels are the result of many years of experience in the construction of wheels, combined with the latest findings from intensive studies in this relatively new discipline.
To create the performance and reliability standard for E-MTB wheels, Fulcrum engineers incorporated tons of new technology and construction methods.

Fulcrum E-MTB: 13% more resistant spokes

The entire range of Fulcrum E-MTB wheels use only specially developed, oversized spokes. These spokes, with a specially developed head design for maximum strength, not only confer extreme strength and durability, but also contribute to the fantastic power transfer and reactivity of the wheels. The complex spoke design varies from 2,2mm to 1,8mm to ensure maximum strength while eliminating superfluous material…. Keep things strong but as light as possible.

Fulcrum E-MTB: 5% stronger brake disc flange

The increased speeds, weights and forces of E-MTB make braking even more critical. The brake system is subjected to much greater stress and so the disc flange on the hub not only has to withstand but also react perfectly to increased braking forces. The Fulcrum E-MTB flange is significantly larger for greater integrity, but also 5% stiffer for robust and consistent performance under hard braking.

Fulcrum E-MTB: 4x more reliable freewheel body

Adding a powerful motor to the gearbox not only increases the torque in the drive train, but also increases the power transferred to the hub shell and its internals. Such forces necessitated a more resilient freewheel system and body. Fulcrum engineers designed the hardened steel internal gearing to withstand these extreme forces, ensuring smooth performance and longer life of a vital part of the drivetrain. The system is 30% more break-resistant than alternative designs. The hardened steel, tested for over a billion cycles, ensures a service life four times longer than conventional MTB models.

Fulcrum E-MTB: 5mm difference in tread depth

The front and rear wheels of a mountain bike have two very different roles. While both need to roll in an efficient manner, the front wheel is more focused on ride and handling, while the rear wheel needs to transfer more weight and power from the drivetrain. The increased weight, extra power and more extreme forces that e-MTBs represent make a good design for the specific needs of each individual bike all the more necessary. The Fulcrum E-MTB wheels therefore have special profiles for the front and rear. The 23mm front rim is stiffer and aids in manoeuvrability, while the 18mm rear rim (5mm lower in profile) is flatter and reinforced to meet the larger impacts more efficiently and comfortably.

Fulcrum E-MTB: Internal rim support construction

Fulcrum engineers developed an internal rim support structure in the form of a slanted bridge. This advanced structure distributes the load across the entire rim, reducing excessive compression in a single area. Incorporating this structural evolution increases stiffness by 10% laterally and 14% vertically, drastically changing overall performance.

Fulcrum E-MTB: 7% more reliable nipples and housing

The nipples, an extremely small part with an extremely important role. Often overlooked, the nipples and their housings are one of the most important elements in the development of a new wheel. Fulcrum E-MTB wheels feature a special housing with lateral guides on both sides that allow the nipple to sit on a stable base that is aligned in a perfect position with the spoke angle. Such a construction allows for a more even distribution of spoke tension. The resulting structure is a stiffer, more responsive wheel that resists torsion and deformation even under the heaviest loads.

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