FFWD Raw 44 wheelset review

The FFWD Raw 44 is among the best–performing carbon-spoked wheelsets I’ve tested to date.

Offering an impressive blend of aerodynamics, stiffness, low weight, top-grade bearings and a smooth but firm ride quality – while looking beautiful – FFWD has done as much as it can to justify the punchy price tag.

Although it’s fair to say you can get similar overall performance for much less money than the price of £2,249 / $2,499 / €2,499, FFWD has nevertheless created a premium wheelset worthy of the description.

FFWD Raw 44 wheelset details and specifications

The FFWD Raw 44 wheelset is one of a growing breed of carbon wheelsets to incorporate carbon spokes into its design.

Here, the straight-pull spokes are attached to standard alloy nipples and are said to confer benefits to weight distribution and stiffness, compared to using stainless steel spokes.

The Hunt 48 Limitless UD Carbon Spoke Disc (£1,449 / $1,669 / €1,889) I’ve tested previously utilised a similar approach, as do the brand’s SUB50 Limitless Aero Disc wheelsets (£2,289 / $2,789 / €2,749).

This is in contrast to the moulded, one-piece design seen with the Syncros Capital SL wheelset (£3,999.80 / $4,099.98 / €3,999.80).

The hooked rims are 44mm deep front and rear, with a modern 21mm internal width. Externally, they measure 30mm wide.

FFWD says the wheels can sport anywhere from 700x 23-42c tyres, with the sweet spot for aerodynamic performance 28mm.

As you might expect, the rims come ready-taped and with tubeless valves. I was impressed by how neatly the tape was applied, which isn’t always a given, although FFWD says riders can just as easily run a clincher setup if preferred.

FFWD says replacing a spoke is “easy to do”, although it’s worth noting the tape will need to be removed to gain full access to the spoke nipples, while it generally advises a skilled mechanic take on maintenance tasks.

For example, it warns that nipples need to be adjusted while holding the spoke in situ to prevent damage.

The hubs feature alloy shells, but incorporate CeramicSpeed bearings and a new FFWD-developed ratchet freehub design, which together are claimed to reduce frictional losses and improve durability.

The ratchet rings each have 36 teeth, equating to a 10-degree engagement angle, although FFWD says it can offer an upgraded system with 54 teeth (albeit, you’ll need to ask the FFWD customer service team or your local dealer to source one, given it can’t be specified via the brand’s or UK distributor Extra’s websites).

The wheelset can be had with a Shimano HG, SRAM XDr or Campagnolo N3W freehub body, and with a matt or gloss-lacquered finish.

FFWD also sells otherwise identical 33mm or 55mm-deep versions for the same price (£2,249 / $2,499 / €2,499).

The price is £800 ($830 / €610) higher than the similarly conceived Hunt 48 Limitless UD Carbon Spoke Disc, although arguably some of that investment is going into the ceramic bearings and new ratchet hub design.

The Hunt SUB50 Limitless Aero Disc wheelset, with ceramic bearings and a ratchet freehub, is priced similarly in the UK, but a little more expensive in Europe and the US.

Having said that, whether this technology offers tangible performance improvements is open to debate.

My test Raw 44 wheelset features the gloss rim (which, anecdotally, looks very smart), Shimano HG freehub body and the standard 36-tooth ratchet system – it tipped my scales at 1,412g including tubeless tape and valves (17g more than claimed).

FFWD also throws in a set of padded wheel bags, and offers a three-year warranty plus a discounted crash replacement scheme. If bought direct from FFWD, the brand also offers a 100-day ‘trial and return’ policy.

FFWD Raw 44 wheelset performance

On the road, the FFWD Raw 44s are among the most refined-feeling wheels I’ve tested, and seem befitting of their price tag.

Setting them up tubeless proved about as easy as I’ve encountered: I used a set of 700x28c Hutchinson Blackbird Racing Lab TLR tyres for testing, but found it equally easy to seat a set of 700x28c Continental GP 5000 S TR tyres too.

Tyres slipped over the rim with a final pry from a tyre lever, and popped into place using a track pump.

On the road, the performance feels very well-rounded, with no notable weaknesses.

Of course, you should expect that when shelling out more than £2,000 for a wheelset, but the wheels felt light and agile when climbing, fast to respond when putting in a hard effort, stable in windy conditions, and quick enough when conditions were good.

All things being equal, the deeper 55mm rim should offer improved aerodynamic performance (at the cost of a little weight and potentially some cross-wind stability), but the 44mm option tested here still felt compellingly quick on the flat and easy to handle in gusts.

In particular, the Raw 44 wheels felt very stiff, delivering an entertaining sense of urgency when putting the effort in – be it an explosive sprint or over-threshold push.

It came as no surprise to me that I set competitive times compared to my previous bests on many local Strava segments throughout testing (although conditions were never the same from one day to the next).

The wheels also impress when it comes to smoothing out road vibrations. In a near-enough equivalent test setup, they felt smoother than their Hunt rivals when challenged with the rougher tarmac.

I still wouldn’t want to ride over potholes for the sake of doing so (and the health of the carbon spokes), but the overall ride quality certainly felt ‘premium’ – up in the same firm and rattle-free ballpark as ENVE’s SES 4.5 wheels, which are among the best I’ve tested in that regard.

This comes despite the contemporary 21mm rim width. The likes of ENVE and Zipp still represent more progressive approaches to rim design, but the Raw 44 doesn’t lose out here by not pushing the envelope as much – at least, not with 28c tyres.

Having said that, it should also be noted that other carbon wheelsets, many of which cost less than half the price of the Raw 44 and rank among the best road wheelsets, offer much greater value for money.

The law of diminishing returns continues to apply here, as it does to most high-end bikes, wheelsets and the like.

Some may also appreciate the fact that a hooked rim preserves clincher tyre compatibility, and any perception that bead hooks could be more reliable than hookless rim designs (although the jury is still out on this matter).

FFWD Raw 44 wheelset bottom line

The FFWD Raw 44 wheelset is a compellingly good wheelset, which packs in a lot of performance for the high price tag.

I could never argue that it represents good value versus the plethora of cheaper wheelsets on the market, but there’s a special ride quality and all-round ability that made me feel precious little performance is being left on the table.

Carbon spokes remain a point of contention. Notably, it remains hard to discern what quantifiable performance gains they offer versus ‘normal’ alloy spokes, while servicing them takes some more consideration – but I can understand the appeal if you equate carbon with ‘premium’.

Overall, though, the FFWD Raw 44 is a very good premium carbon wheelset for use across mixed topography, with no notable performance shortcomings.