Princeton CarbonWorks reveals new Wake 6560 Evolution II

Princeton CarbonWorks has unveiled the Wake 6560 Evolution II. Development of the new wheelset focused on a tyre-led design process, with 23–32 mm tyres from various manufacturers mounted to four internal rim widths (21, 22, 23, & 24 mm) and 3D scanned to form a matrix of various cross sections. These data sets informed iterative CFD analysis in collaboration with Luca Oggiano and Themis Petridi of NablaFlow using AeroCloud CFD software, with the fastest solutions then validated through wind tunnel testing at Politecnico di Milano and A2 in North Carolina. That testing resulted a fully hooked rim featuring a 22 mm internal width and 33 mm maximum external width optimised for a 28 mm tyre. Rim weight drops from 470 g on the previous Evolution I to 420 g, contributing to a claimed 10% reduction in wheelset weight, with the lightest configuration weighing 1,250 g using steel spokes and Tactic TR01 hubs. Princeton says the wheel exceeds 120 J in impact testing thanks to a new carbon layup for improved impact resistance. Sealed rim beds eliminate the need for tubeless tape, while pre-balanced rims aim to reduce vibration at speed. Prototypes of the new wheel were already raced to victories at both the men’s Ironman and Half Ironman World Championships last season. The Wake 6560 Evolution II is available immediately in 10 paint options and six hub configurations, with pricing starting at $3,150 with White Industries CLD hubs for a claimed weight of 1,455 grams. While a Tactric TR01 hub does drop the weight to a claimed 1,250 g but bumps the price up to US$4,100.