Campagnolo Bora WTO 45 Rim-Brake 2-Way Fit Wheelset

The Campagnolo Bora WTO 45 Rim-Brake 2-Way Fit Wheelset occupies a specific and deliberate position in the road cycling landscape. At 45mm deep, it sits in the range where aerodynamic gain becomes meaningful without the rim becoming a liability in crosswinds or on punchy climbs. Campagnolo calls this Wind Tunnel Optimized, and the name carries genuine engineering intent — the WTO series was developed with real-world yaw angles in mind, not just the clean, still-air conditions that produce flattering tunnel numbers. When you're deep into a long group ride or pushing pace on an exposed stretch of road, that distinction matters.

Campagnolo has been building the Bora line since 1994, and its presence in the professional peloton over those decades is more than a marketing footnote. The engineering that informs the Bora WTO 45 traces directly to that racing history — unidirectional carbon construction, USB ceramic bearings, and the G3 spoke lacing pattern that has defined the Bora's visual identity and structural approach for years. The G3 arrangement groups three spokes in alternating tension and compression orientations, distributing load more evenly across the rim and reducing the flex that can blunt power transfer. It's a design choice with a clear functional rationale, not an aesthetic one.

The 2-Way Fit designation means the rim is engineered to run either traditional clincher or tubeless tires — a flexibility that lets you set up the wheel to match your riding conditions, your terrain, or simply your preference. A 19mm internal rim width supports modern tire sizing well, accommodating 25mm and 28mm tires with the broader profile that improves both rolling resistance and road feel. For rim-brake riders who want a high-performance carbon wheelset without transitioning to disc, the Bora WTO 45 keeps that setup fully viable. The braking track is integrated into the carbon rim construction, developed through Campagnolo's long history of managing heat and modulation in carbon rim-brake wheels.

Design Benefits

1. Real-World Aerodynamics: The WTO development process accounts for the range of yaw angles a rider actually encounters on the road — crosswinds, oblique headwinds, drafting positions. A 45mm rim depth in this construction hits a crossover point where aerodynamic savings are consistent across conditions rather than optimized only for ideal scenarios. That translates to reliable speed gains on flat and rolling terrain without the handling penalty of a deeper section.
2. G3 Spoke Architecture: The G3 lacing pattern groups spokes in sets of three, alternating tension and compression orientation around the hub flange. This structure is designed to improve wheel stiffness and distribute braking and pedaling loads more evenly across the rim. For riders who push hard out of corners or sprint regularly, the reduced lateral flex means more of your effort reaches the road.
3. USB Ceramic Bearings: Campagnolo's USB ceramic bearing system uses ceramic balls running in steel races, intended to reduce friction and extend service intervals compared to standard steel bearings. The practical benefit is a hub that maintains smooth, low-resistance rotation over long mileage — and one that rewards proper maintenance with a longer usable life.
4. 2-Way Fit Tubeless Compatibility: Running tubeless on the Bora WTO 45 allows you to drop tire pressure without the pinch-flat risk that constrains clincher setups. Lower pressure increases the tire's contact patch and ability to deform over rough surfaces, improving both grip and comfort — particularly relevant on imperfect road surfaces where a stiffer setup loses traction and wastes energy. The option to run standard clinchers remains fully open if you prefer that setup.
5. Integrated Carbon Braking Track: Campagnolo has decades of experience engineering carbon rim-brake surfaces, and the braking track on the Bora WTO 45 reflects that accumulated development. The rim is built to manage the heat generated under sustained braking — a consideration that becomes critical on long descents — while maintaining consistent modulation feel across dry and wet conditions.

Final Take

The Bora WTO 45 is built for the road rider who wants a serious aerodynamic wheelset and isn't ready — or willing — to move away from rim brakes. It suits riders who cover varied terrain and need a wheel that performs across conditions rather than excelling only in controlled situations. This is a wheelset with a clear point of view, backed by engineering with real racing pedigree behind it.