Campagnolo Zonda vs. Fulcrum Racing 3 – Comparison in 2023
During our search to find the right set of wheels, many options will pop up. Whether it’s from a friend’s recommendations or simply because we found them online, choosing just one out of the many wheels available can be tricky. However, putting our trust in reliable brands never fails.
In that sense, only a few wheels are as capable as the Campagnolo Zone and Fulcrum series.
That’s why, in this article, we’ve decided to review the Campagnolo Zonda vs. Fulcrum Racing 3 to give you a better look at their capabilities. By the end, you’ll be ready to choose one out of the two.
Let’s start by talking about the Campagnolo Zonda.
Campagnolo Zonda vs. Fulcrum Racing 3
Campagnolo Zonda
This wheelset came as a surprise due to the many updated properties it had to offer.
For instance, the product has a modern and adjustable lockring that comes with micro-setting.
Such a combination of features delivers precision and accuracy that comes in handy for a variety of applications.
Due to the magnetic nipple retention technology behind the wheelset, there are no risks of holes in the rim bed.
It successfully translates to a seamless tubeless experience capable of satisfying the needs of most riders, whether they’re causal or professionals.
For better performance, the Mega-G3 spoke pattern is capable of reducing the stress created during each ride.
It efficiently increases transversal rigidity while also positively affecting the power transmission to the wheel.
Adding to the wheel resistance, the USB ceramic ball bearings will effectively reduce friction.
On the road, the overall smoothness perceived contributes to a more pleasant ride.
It’s a pleasant feeling that hardly goes away, as the wheelset performs well consistently.
Last but not least, the aluminum hub body, as well as the axle, are other benefits of the wheelset.
Both will be providing a high degree of lateral stiffness, ensuring a versatile product to tackle a variety of surfaces safely.
While the stiffness of the wheel is good, in some cases, it may require you to ride on lower PSI during long rides.
Specifications:
| Size | 700C |
| Axle | QR |
| Gears | 9-12s CassCpy |
| Spoke Type | Campagnolo Aero |
| Wall | Double |
PROS
CONS
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Fulcrum Racing 3
For a mid-range wheelset, this product from Fulcrum is easily among the best options out there.
The wheel features a widened 17mm internal rim bed created with updated technology for more reliability and improved longevity. The Racing 3 C17 is suitable for 25mm and 28mm tires.
That’s a plus, especially considering those are pretty much the standard in the modern-day.
One thing this wheelset does right is to incorporate features that worked in previous models.
The MoMag technique guarantees there’s no need to drill the rim bed while installing spoke nipples, which ultimately allows the rim to retain its smoothness.
However, that’s when the wheelset’s flaws start to show. Most prominently, the fact that this product isn’t tubeless-ready is a disadvantage.
Since many of the competition are tubeless-ready, Fulcrum may not appeal to entry-level riders.
Despite that issue, this wheelset truly has a lot of benefits to offer for casual and regular riders.
The milled rim manages to reduce peripheral weight, leading to what becomes a more responsive wheel on the road. Plus, the aluminum build featuring axle of the same material is top-notch.
Riders would also appreciate the oversized body, which provides a high value of lateral stiffness.
Another benefit of such a build is that it minimizes weight, improving the whole experience from beginning to end.
Specifications:
| Size | One Size |
| Axle | QR |
| Package Dimensions | 25.59 x 25.59 x 11.02 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.53 Pounds |
PROS
CONS
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Campagnolo Zonda or Fulcrum Racing 3?
After reviewing both wheelsets, now we’ll talk about their differences.
A Specific View on Each Wheel
The Zona wheelset has 665g of front weight, 875g of rear weight, for a total of 1540g. It’s slightly less than the Fulcrum’s 675g front, 885g rear, and 1560g in total.
While the weight doesn’t differ much from one another, it’s somewhat noticeable while you compare the two closely.
Another difference is the size. While the Zonda has 27mm of rim height front and 22m of rim width, the Fulcrum has 25mm and 22.5mm, respectively.Both share the same 30mm of rim height rear.
With both wheels having 16 and 21 for front and rear spoke count, everything else about them is fairly similar.
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Performance
While we could go on talking about specifics, the truth is that both of these wheelsets are good on their own.
More so, despite the differences they may have, their design and performance are quite similar on the road.
The Zonda, much like the Fulcrum, keeps up with the riders’ demands efficiently.
In this case, it’s up to the rider’s decision to choose which one they like the most.
As advised by many people that have tried the two wheelsets, pick the one that best matches your equipment.
Ultimately, aesthetics is perhaps the biggest difference most would be able to tell.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the differences between the wheelsets?
The wheelsets are slightly different when it comes to weight and size.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eHowever, since those features don’t vary much between one another, the size and weight don’t make a significant difference in the bike’s overall performance.
2. Can the wheelsets put up with heavyweight riders?
Yes, either one would do well for riders with that little extra weight.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe wheelsets are surprisingly durable and resistant, guaranteeing longevity.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eNot only will they put up with weight, but also most bumps that may come from casual riding.
3. What does milled rim mean?
It’s a type of build that provides several benefits. For one, a milled rim reduces the peripheral weight of the rim, which creates a wheel that’d respond quickly when needed.
4. Are the wheelsets easy to set up?
Yes. Riders won’t have much trouble setting up either one of the wheelsets reviewed here, as the process is quite intuitive.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eWhether you have or don’t have experience assembling a bike, attaching the wheels won’t be a problem.
5. Which one to buy Zonda or Fulcrum?
As mentioned earlier, the slight differences between the two don’t have a significant impact on the bike’s performance. Because of that, riders have the last word on which one to buy.
Conclusion
There you have it! Two effective wheelsets that, once set, can quickly improve the performance of our bikes significantly.
Since they both come from well-known brands, customers ultimately get to make their decision on which one to buy between the Campagnolo Zonda vs. Fulcrum Racing 3.