Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheelset

At 85mm deep, the Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheelset sits at the top of the Fernweg line — the deepest profile Lightweight builds, engineered for the kind of aerodynamic performance that shows up in race results rather than just spec comparisons. What makes this wheelset worth understanding isn't the rim depth alone. It's the engineering underneath: Lightweight's Rim-to-Rim carbon spoke architecture, their proprietary LCC composite material, and a Pentagon SL hub that cuts 70 grams per set from conventional designs while improving both aerodynamics and heat management. These are wheels designed with the seriousness of a brand that has been building carbon wheelsets in Friedrichshafen, Germany for decades.

The Rim-to-Rim (R2R) spoke design is the defining structural characteristic of the Fernweg EVO. Each of the 20 carbon spokes runs as a single, uninterrupted element from rim to rim, passing through the hub without bends, joints, or mechanical connectors of any kind. There are no nipples, no threaded interfaces, no metal-to-carbon transition points where fatigue can accumulate. Each spoke is permanently bonded to the hub using high-performance adhesive, which means spoke tension is constant and permanent from the day the wheel is built. The structure does not loosen. It does not go out of true. The stiffness and power transfer characteristics you start with are the same ones you'll have thousands of kilometers later.

The rims are formed from Lightweight Custom Composite — LCC — a proprietary carbon layup developed in-house drawing on decades of aerospace and industrial composite engineering. Every layer is engineered to specification: not a standard carbon weave adapted for cycling, but a purpose-built material optimized for the weight, stiffness, and durability demands of an 85mm aero wheelset. The 24mm external rim width and 18.2mm internal width pair well with modern tire sizing, and the hooked, closed rim bed enables full tubeless setup at this depth without compromising the aerodynamic profile.

The Pentagon SL Hub reduces total hub weight by 70 grams per set through its polygonal housing design, which also creates a more direct mechanical interface between the tire and disc rotor — particularly relevant for braking control on long descents. Advanced heat dissipation built into the hub structure manages disc brake heat under sustained braking, keeping performance consistent across varied terrain. The standard bearing configuration delivers reliable, long-service performance; CeramicSpeed bearings are available as an upgrade for riders who want the lowest possible rolling resistance. Wheelset weight is 1,665g ±3% (758g front, 857g rear). The 12x100 front and 12x142 rear axle spacing cover current road and gravel standards, with freehub options for Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, and XDR.

Design Benefits

1. R2R Carbon Spoke System: Twenty full-carbon spokes running continuously from rim to rim — no nipples, no threads, no mechanical connectors. Permanently bonded and permanently tensioned, the spoke structure is maintenance-free and retains its stiffness characteristics for the life of the wheel.
2. Lightweight Custom Composite (LCC): Proprietary aerospace-derived carbon, engineered specifically for this application. Each layer is optimized in-house for the balance of lateral stiffness, impact resistance, and long-term durability that an 85mm aero wheelset demands.
3. Pentagon SL Hub: 70g lighter per set than conventional hub designs, with a polygonal housing that creates a secure mechanical interface for disc braking and integrated heat dissipation for sustained performance on long descents.
4. 85mm Rim Depth: The deepest profile in the Fernweg lineup. At this depth, aerodynamic advantage is measurable and consistent — particularly on flat terrain and in time trial or triathlon applications where sustained aero efficiency compounds over distance.
5. Tubeless Ready at Depth: The closed rim bed supports full tubeless setup without requiring compromise in the rim profile or aerodynamic geometry. Run lower pressures for better grip without the weight or puncture vulnerability of an inner tube.

Final Take

The Lightweight Fernweg 85 EVO Disc Tubeless Wheelset is the deepest, most aerodynamically focused option in the Fernweg lineup, built on the same R2R spoke architecture and LCC carbon that defines the entire EVO range. The Pentagon SL hub delivers meaningful weight savings and reliable long-term performance; riders who want the absolute minimum rolling resistance can upgrade to CeramicSpeed bearings. At $9,250, this is a wheelset for riders who have already decided they want 85mm of Lightweight carbon — and want to choose their bearing specification separately.