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Campagnolo Bora Ultra wheels are the choice of pros as they are the perfect wheel for competition. They offer you the performance characteristics that all racing cyclists are looking for – maximum aerodynamics, extreme lightness, lightning quick reactivity and incredible smoothness.
Improved Braking In All Conditions
For the Bora Ultra 50 Clincher wheelset, Campagnolo engineers developed an all-new construction, which has created a braking performance that far outperforms anything found on current carbon rims. The Campy Tech Lab’s developments focused on providing the rider with the same braking performance when riding in the wet as when riding in the dry. The result of these developments is Campagnolo’s most advanced braking surface technology ever. They call it AC3 (All Conditions Carbon Control).
Increased Rim Width
Campagnolo has increased the rim width from 20.5mm to 24.2mm – this has not only improved the aerodynamics but allowed the wheel to accommodate wider tyres. Wider tyres increase control, improve grip and make for a more comfortable ride. A wider rim also increases structural integrity without any weight increase to the wheelset.
Reduced Weight
The weight of the wheelset is also further reduced, thanks to the front hub having a smaller profile. Even though Campagnolo’s engineers managed to reduce the weight and size of the hub, they were able to save the same high-performance characteristics that the Bora Ultra wheels are renowned for.
Features:
- Full Carbon high profile 50mm clincher rim
- Includes brake pads specifically for carbon wheels
- AC3 treatment on the brake surface, improving braking in all conditions
- RDB (Rim Dynamic Balance) exclusive technology moulded inside the rims, assures perfect balancing of the rims even at high speeds
- Ultra-lightweight decals eliminate the need for heavy adhesives and painting, reducing the overall weight by nearly 15g
- Carbon hub with oversize flange with cup and cone CULT bearings, Aluminium axle
- Aerodynamic spokes with exclusive Mega-G3 spoke pattern and anti-rotation system
- Quick release with eccentric-closure system
- Weight: 1435g
- Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 Review:
- The Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheels and Bora Ultra 50 brake pads are priced at $800
Brake Pad Notes:
As mentioned above, the Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheelset comes with special brake pads for use with carbon rims. The pads are branded as “Cyclouvres”. They are Campa brake pads. They are semi metallic. However, for this review I was using my trusted Campa “Calypso” brake pads with the Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheelset. I am glad I did, because the braking with these pads is the best I have found with carbon wheels.For the average rider, I would stick with these pads. For the hard core racer, I would suggest trying the Campy Officina brand brake pads (which I used below).
When braking with the Campagnolo “Calypso” pads, I still had the feeling with the Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheels that the brakes were not as good in the wet as in the dry. I think Campagnolo can improve on this issue. Obviously, they do not want to develop the pad compound as that will give away the advantage to those that purchase Bora Ultra wheels with Campy Cyclouvres pads. I guess Campy should look at the Interloc system and offer it with the Ultra 50 with an alternative pad compound.
When braking with the Campagnolo “Calypso” pads, I still had the feeling with the Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheels that the brakes were not as good in the wet as in the dry. I think Campagnolo can improve on this issue. Obviously, they do not want to develop the pad compound as that will give away the advantage to those that purchase Bora Ultra wheels with Campy Cyclouvres pads. I guess Campy should look at the Interloc system and offer it with the Ultra 50 with an alternative pad compound.
Wheel Notes:
For this review, the Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheels were fitted to a Mavic KSYRIUM wheelset. I then used a Ksyrium SLR wheelset to do the treaded braking tests. I wanted to ensure that I had the same braking performance with the same wheels (with different braking systems). The Mavic Ksyrium is a carbon wheelset. The braking performance is inferior to the Campy Bora Ultra 50 wheelset using the Campy “Calypso” pads. I would say the braking performance is very good with the Ksyrium SLR and “Calypso” pads.
I did some treaded braking tests with the Campy Bora Ultra 50 wheelset using the Campy Cyclouvres brake pads and the Mavic Ksyrium SLR wheelset as the comparison. The braking is superior! The difference is in the modulation of the brakes when using the Campy Bora Ultra 50 wheelset and the “Calypso” pads. The modulation on the Carbon bike is a good as with treaded pads. The stopping power is disappointing. In the wet, I think the braking will be difficult for average riders. The braking is so good that the wheel wants to skid in the dry depending on the braking force. It will be very difficult to control in wet conditions. If Campagnolo would just make the Cyclouvres pads with a slight softer compound that would help.
Brake Pad Tests
In the wet, I think the braking will be difficult for average riders. The braking is so good that the wheel wants to skid in the dry depending on the braking force. It will be very difficult to control in wet conditions. If Campagnolo would just make the Cyclouvres pads with a slight softer compound that would help.
Ride Impressions
For this review, the Campagnolo Bora Ultra 50 wheelset was mounted on a Ksyrium SLR wheelset. The wheel was fitted with Campy “Calypso” brake pads. I had a very good ride with the wheels and found them very good in all conditions. The Campy “Calypso” pads worked very well in the wet. The performance was better than the performance of the Mavic Ksyrium SLR with the Ksyrium SLR with the same brake pads.
