{"id":2573,"date":"2026-02-26T15:11:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/?p=2573"},"modified":"2026-02-26T15:11:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:11:17","slug":"princeton-carbonworks-wake-6560-evolution-ii-review-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/princeton-carbonworks-wake-6560-evolution-ii-review-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Princeton CarbonWorks Wake 6560 Evolution II: maximum aero within the new UCI limit of 65mm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Princeton CarbonWorks<\/strong> introduces the Wake 6560 Evolution II<\/strong>, an aero wheelset developed specifically to push the limits of the new UCI 65mm regulations. It is the sixth iteration of the sinusoidal flagship conceived in 2012, and combines a rim weight of 420 g<\/strong> with a system weight of 1250 grams<\/strong> in the lightest configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wheelset with 65mm depth that weighs less than many a climbing wheel. That is the paradox where PCW<\/strong> on target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 65mm limit: the new playing field<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since 1 January 2026, the UCI applies a maximum rim height of 65mm<\/strong> for mass-start road races. The measure is part of a wider safety package, motivated by scientific research on crosswind sensitivity and steering moments with deep rims. Brands that until recently had wheels 75mm or deeper in the peloton will have to adjust their line-up or accept that their top models are no longer race-legal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wake 6560<\/strong> oscillates with its distinctive wavy profile between 60mm and 65mm depth. This puts the wheelset right within the new regulations, without compromising on aerodynamic performance. Where competitors have to scale down, PCW only has to evolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band central<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That was the starting point for the Evolution II. Instead of first drawing a rim shape and then mounting a tyre on it, PCW worked in reverse order. Road tyres from 23 to 32 millimetres<\/strong> from multiple brands were mounted on four different hooked rim widths (21, 22, 23 and 24mm<\/strong>). Each combination was measured and 3D scanned to create a complete portfolio of tyre cross-sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those actual, inflated tyre profiles then formed the basis for iterative CFD analyses via AeroCloud<\/strong>, carried out in cooperation with Luca Oggiano<\/strong> and Themis Petridi<\/strong> from NablaFlow<\/strong>. CFD results were plotted against rolling resistance data to find the most efficient combinations of tyre size, tyre shape and rim shape. The most promising models then went into the wind tunnel at Politecnico di Milano<\/strong> and A2<\/strong> in Mooresville, North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is a rim optimised around a 28mm tyre<\/strong>, with an internal width of 22mm<\/strong> and a maximum external width of 33mm<\/strong>. According to Luca Oggiano, the Wake 6560 Evolution II is \u201cthe fastest UCI-legal wheelset we have tested in the wind tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The connection with top performance is also there: Oggiano and PCW CEO Harrison Macris<\/strong> previously collaborated on the wheels for Filippo Ganna's<\/strong> world endurance record. In addition, the Evolution II was already used by professional triathletes last season, resulting in world titles at both the Ironman and Half Ironman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lighter, stiffer, better protected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the deep 65mm profile, the lightest configuration weighs in at Tactic Racing TR01V2<\/strong>-hubs only 1250 grams<\/strong>. The rim weight dropped from 470 g<\/strong> (Evolution I) to 420 g<\/strong>, a reduction of over 10%. That weight saving comes from an all-new carbon layup that simultaneously delivers higher impact resistance: the rims pass an impact test of over 120 joules<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the rims are now pre-balanced as standard to reduce speeding vibrations and harmonics. The non-drilled rim bed eliminates the need for tubeless tape and keeps rotating weight as low as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n