PRINCETON CARBONWORKS WAKE 6560
£3199.99 Will you leave others in your Wake?
he Wake 6560 wheelset was the first product of this American company. The 6560 in the name relates to the road wheelset’s differential rim height, which undulates between 65mm and 60mm.
There are 24 raised lobes per rim, which PCW says reduces drag and the effects of vortex shedding as a result of dynamic cross-section variability. It also claims that the design has mechanical benefits; with each spoke ensuring its surrounding carbon fibres are tensioned, the rim is stronger and requires less material, weighing under 490g each. That all translates into a concept where the rider gains the aerodynamic benefits of a deeper rim profile while also enjoying the more subdued handling traits of a slightly shallower rim.
Our test set came with White Industries centrelock disc hubs with 12mm thru-axle caps, 24 J-bend aero spokes and external nipples. Without the supplied tubeless valves fitted, they
Tweigh 1606g, which is very light for such tall rims. The rim bed is undrilled, so it doesn’t require tubeless tape, measures 18mm wide internally and 26mm externally. Schwalbe Pro 1 25mm tubeless tyres fitted easily and seated surprisingly quietly using a compressor, measuring 27mm wide once inflated.
The front hub seemingly escaped the aero attention paid to the rims, only slimming from 30mm to 27mm at its centre, but both wheels spin very freely. On the road, the front wheel’s depth was immediately noticeable but with no adverse effects on handling. Once attuned, we began to push the envelope, relishing the lateral stiffness when sprinting and instant response when bursting out of slow corners. The Wake 6560s aren’t confined to flatland flying either as they climb well for such deep rims. You wouldn’t choose them for a day in the mountains, but they’re very capable.
The 6560 are easy to live with, even when it’s windy, and although not immune to the occasional sideways nudge when passing a gateway we always felt in control. They combine serious speed with an unexpectedly nimble feel.