Princeton Peak 4550 EVO Disc Brake Wheelset w/Tactic TR01 Hubs - Special Color

The Princeton CarbonWorks Peak 4550 EVO Disc Brake Wheelset with Tactic TR01 Hubs is Princeton's benchmark all-road carbon wheelset — a mixed-depth rim pair built to accelerate on climbs, hold a line on descents, and generate enough aerodynamic efficiency to maintain pace when the road flattens. Princeton CarbonWorks designed the Peak 4550 Evolution by drawing from both ends of their lineup: the weight discipline from their lighter climbing wheels, and the aerodynamic refinements from their deeper-rim designs. The result is a wheelset that responds well when you're grinding through a steep pitch, stays composed under braking on technical descents, and cuts through the air efficiently enough to hold speed when the gradient eases. It's Princeton's most versatile road option — a wheel for riders who want to compete across the full range of what a road race or gran fondo actually demands, rather than optimizing for one kind of terrain at the expense of another.

The rim construction in the Evolution generation reflects a deliberate set of improvements over the previous Peak 4550. Internal width has been increased to 21mm hook to hook (28.2mm external), while rim weight has been reduced to 420 grams. Princeton's patented Radially Staggered Lacing increases stiffness and rotational balance — two qualities that show up in how the wheel handles power delivery and cornering. The non-drilled tire bed plays a structural role as well: by eliminating spoke holes from the outer rim, Princeton redistributes material to areas under higher load, maintaining stiffness values while keeping total weight low. These aren't independent features but interconnected design decisions that add up to a wheel that feels responsive and planted across varied terrain. The unique rim profile is also designed to be impervious to crosswinds — an important characteristic for a 45–50mm rim depth that would otherwise be more susceptible to handling disruption in exposed conditions.

Princeton's approach to the tubeless question is worth understanding. The Peak 4550 EVO uses a hooked, hole-less tire bed — no tape required, no tire pressure restrictions. While most competitors have moved toward hookless rims, which are lighter and less expensive to produce, Princeton has stayed with the hooked design because it accommodates a broader range of tire choices, imposes no maximum pressure ceiling, and is the safer option for high-speed road use. The setup is straightforward: seat the bead, add sealant, inflate. A valve-nut landing machined into the rim simplifies the process without adding weight. Sapim CX-Ray aero spokes and Sapim SecureLock alloy nipples complete the build — a spoke system known for its aerodynamic profile, low weight, and long-term tension retention. The result is a tubeless-ready wheel that actually runs like one, without the setup friction or tire compatibility concerns that can make hookless rims more complicated in practice.

This build is equipped with Tactic Racing TR01 hubs — the lightest configuration Princeton offers for the Peak 4550 EVO. The disc brake wheelset comes in at 1,275 grams complete, measurably lighter than the DT Swiss 180EXP build at 1,345g, the Tactic TR02 at 1,350g, and the DT Swiss 240 at 1,370g. On climbs where you're constantly accelerating out of corners or attacking through punchy sections, that weight differential is felt. Tactic's TR01 hubs are designed for fast engagement, which translates to immediate drive response when you stand up and sprint or accelerate out of a corner. Freehub compatibility covers Shimano/SRAM 11-speed HG11, SRAM XDR, and Campagnolo — broad enough to suit most current road drivetrains.

The Special Color edition adds Chrome, Gloss Black, Gloss White, and Gold finish options, built to the same spec as the standard lineup with the visual flexibility to complement a wide range of frame colorways. At $4,300 with TR01 hubs, the Peak 4550 EVO is a serious investment in a wheelset that performs on every segment — the kind of all-road wheel that earns its place on a dedicated climber's build and holds up equally well on a rolling gravel-touched route or a fast criterium circuit. Ships in 5–8 business days.