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Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheel - Front


Regular price $4,16250

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Lightweight   |   SKU: FU85D22000-060  |   Option: Black

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* Product image may vary. Refer to the description for accurate details.

Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheel - Front Info

The Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheel - Front is one of the most technically advanced aero wheels available — an 85mm deep carbon front wheel built entirely by hand in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and engineered to deliver the aerodynamic gains of a deep-section rim without compromise. At $4,162.50 for the front wheel alone, the Fernweg 85 EVO Disc makes no pretense about what it is: a purpose-built race wheel for riders who demand the fastest equipment available.

The defining feature of the Fernweg platform is Lightweight's R2R (Rim-to-Rim) spoke architecture. Rather than using conventional metal spokes with threaded nipples, each of the 20 spokes is a continuous carbon fiber element that runs from one rim wall, through the hub shell, and out to the opposite rim wall — a single unbroken structure with no mechanical joints, no nipples, and no metal-to-metal interfaces. This design eliminates the flex points and corrosion risks inherent to traditional spoke systems and contributes to the Fernweg's exceptional lateral stiffness. The result is a wheel that transmits power precisely and holds its line through high-speed corners.

The rim itself is built using LCC — Lightweight's proprietary Lightweight Custom Composite process — a hand-laid carbon layup developed in-house over decades of wheel-building. The 85mm closed rim bed measures 18.2mm internally and 24mm externally, optimized for modern 25–32mm tires and the aerodynamic transition from tire to rim that defines fast rolling. Tubeless compatibility is built in, allowing riders to run lower pressures for improved compliance and puncture resistance without sacrificing speed. The PENTAGON SL hub runs on CeramicSpeed bearings, and the entire assembly weighs 758g — remarkable for a deep-section disc wheel at this rim depth.

Design Benefits

  1. R2R Carbon Spokes: The Rim-to-Rim spoke design creates a continuous carbon fiber structure with no nipples or metal joints. This eliminates flex points, reduces weight, and delivers a stiffer, more responsive wheel than conventional laced builds — while maintaining the compliance that carbon fiber naturally provides.
  2. LCC Carbon Construction: Lightweight's in-house Lightweight Custom Composite layup is hand-applied by technicians in Friedrichshafen. Each wheel is built individually rather than mass-produced, resulting in tighter tolerances on weight, balance, and structural consistency than factory-laminated alternatives.
  3. PENTAGON SL Hub with CeramicSpeed Bearings: The PENTAGON SL hub is Lightweight's proprietary design, engineered to work in close integration with the R2R spoke system. CeramicSpeed bearings reduce friction and extend service intervals, keeping rolling resistance as low as possible throughout the wheel's life.
  4. Tubeless Ready: The closed rim bed and hooked rim profile accommodate both clincher and tubeless tire setups. Tubeless running allows for lower inflation pressures — improving grip, comfort, and real-world speed on imperfect road surfaces — while the sealed bed protects against pinch flats.
  5. 85mm Aero Depth: At 85mm, the Fernweg sits at the aggressive end of the aero road wheel spectrum, producing meaningful aerodynamic drag reduction over mid-depth options at speeds above 35 km/h. The 24mm external rim width optimizes the tire-to-rim transition for the wide tires used in modern aero setups.

Final Take

The Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc is for riders who've decided aerodynamics matter and aren't willing to compromise on engineering quality to get there. The R2R spoke technology, LCC carbon construction, and hand-built German craftsmanship place this wheel in a category occupied by very few manufacturers. If you're building the fastest road or triathlon setup your budget allows — and you want a wheel with a five-year warranty and genuine technical distinction behind every gram — the Fernweg 85 EVO Disc belongs in the conversation.

Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheel - Front - Specifications

Material:
Carbon fiber
Brake Type:
Centerlock Disc
Axle Type:
Thru-Axle
Tire Type:
Clincher or Tubeless
Rim Depth:
85mm
Spoke Count:
20

*Specifications are subject to change.

The RA Perspective

Lightweight makes wheels the way very few manufacturers still bother to — by hand, one at a time, in the same small factory in Friedrichshafen they've been operating since the early 1990s. When you handle a Fernweg, that lineage is obvious. The finish quality, the weight when you pick it up, the way the carbon spokes disappear into the rim — it feels nothing like a production wheel.

The 85mm depth is a genuine commitment to aerodynamics. This isn't a wheel for the rider who wants "some aero benefit without giving up too much." It's for someone who has thought through their training and racing setup, decided that aero is the priority, and is willing to buy into a wheel that requires a bit more attention in crosswinds. In flat-road criteriums, long TT efforts, and fast group rides where you're spending most of your time above 35 km/h, the Fernweg 85 is exactly the right tool.

The R2R spoke technology is the part we find ourselves explaining most often in the shop. The concept — a single carbon fiber element looping from rim to rim through the hub — sounds almost too simple, but the execution is sophisticated. There are no failure points at the spoke head or nipple interface because those parts don't exist. We've seen Lightweight wheels with significant mileage on them that look and perform as if they're new, and the spoke design is a big reason why.

At this price, the Fernweg is a considered purchase. We'd recommend it for a dedicated race or time trial build rather than as an everyday training wheel — reserve it for the days when speed is the only variable that matters.

Lightweight Wheels & Components: The Pinnacle of Carbon Cycling Performance

Discover the unparalleled performance of Lightweight carbon wheels and cycling components. Handmade in Germany, these ultra-lightweight, high-stiffness products redefine speed, aerodynamics, and durability. From the OBERMAYER EVO wheelset to the EDELHELFER bottle cage, find the ultimate upgrade for your ride at R&A Cycles, a leading U.S. dealer of Lightweight products.

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