Black Series is a new range of high-end bike components designed for a balance of low weight, durability, quality and price, to offer cyclists the “ultimate” upgrade range.
Produced by some of the world’s leading component manufacturers such as Xentis and Tune, Black Series' wheels are hand built in Germany. Black Series claims its wheel designs have been proven at World Championship, World Cup and Olympic events.
The range features five wheelsets: two 25mm and two 42mm deep rims in either tubular or carbon clincher versions, and a 27mm deep alloy option. All the wheels are available exclusively from Wiggle.
RCT-25
This 25mm deep road carbon tubular wheelset is ultra-light with a claimed weight of 989g for the pair and a price of £1,862 (US$ and AU$ TBC). The rims are manufactured by Xentis in Austria from 3K-carbon weave and have been honed to an aerodynamic profile according to Black Series. The triple-butted Sapim CX-Ray spokes are laced radially at the front and crossed at the rear for optimal stiffness. The nipples are internal to allow higher tensions and another aero edge.
Black Series says the higher spoke count (20 front, 24 back), compared to some competitors, allows the use of a lighter rim and therefore a lower overall weight.
The wheels have a UV-resistant finish and Black Series says the XBP patented brake surface guarantees the best braking performance in wet and dry conditions, and outlasts all other composite brake tracks – something we're keen to test. Each rim also has a unique RFID chip that allows every wheel to be traced back to its origin.
The Tune hubs are made from CNC machined 7075 T7 heat-treated aluminium while smooth precision bearings are claimed to have extremely low rolling resistance.
The carbon clincher version – RCC-25 – costs the same at £1,862 and has a claimed weight of 1,138g.
RCC-42
For those less enamoured by the idea of using tubs, Black Series also has a selection of carbon clinchers, including this 42mm deep option, for £1,900 per pair. The wheels weigh a claimed 1,337g a pair and are also made by Xentis.
The lacing is the same as the RCT-25, while Black Series says that the patented XBP brake tracks are formed under extreme pressure creating a denser and therefore more durable rim edge, which offers improved resistance to heat build up and deformation.
The hubs are the same ultra-smooth Tune models. There’s also a tubular version (claimed weight 1,157g) for the same price.
Full specs
RCT-25
- Rims: 25mm deep aero profile 3K-carbon tubular rim with machined XBP patented brake surface and RFID chip. 20 / 24 hole
- Front hub: Black Series road front hub. 20-hole radial. Independent spoke flanges for balanced spoke tension. CNC Machined 7075 T7 Heat Treated Aluminium. Oversize 17mm axle. Dual bearing.
- Rear hub: Black Series road rear hub. 24-hole crossed. CNC Machined 7075 T7 heat treated aluminium. Oversize 17mm axle. Quad bearing. 9-10-11-speed
- Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray 2.0/0.9/2.0 triple butted bladed spokes
- Spoke nipples: 12 mm alloy internal spoke nipples with locking threads
- Weight – front wheel: 427g
- Weight – rear wheel / Shimano, SRAM: 580g
- Weight – rear wheel / Campagnolo: 562g
- Recommended rider weight: 90kg max
RCC-42
- Rims: 42mm deep aero profile 3K-carbon clincher rim with machined XBP patented brake surface, RFID chip and integrated tachometer magnet. 20 / 24 hole
- Front hub: Black Series road front hub. 20-hole radial. Independent spoke flanges for balanced spoke tension. CNC Machined 7075 T7 Heat Treated Aluminium. Oversize 17mm axle. Dual bearing.
- Rear hub: Black Series road rear hub. 24-hole crossed. CNC Machined 7075 T7 Heat Treated Aluminium. Oversize 17mm axle. Quad bearing. 9-10-11-speed
- Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray 2.0/0.9/2.0 triple butted bladed spokes
- Spoke nipples: 12 mm alloy internal spoke nipples with locking threads
- Weight – front wheel): 604g
- Weight – rear wheel / Shimano, SRAM: 745g
- Weight – rear wheel / Campagnolo: 733g
- Recommended rider weight: 90kg max
Want to discuss wheels in more depth? Head to our forums, where roadies like you are chewing them over right now!