Princeton CarbonWorks Dual 5550 Disc Wheelset

Princeton CarbonWorks Dual 5550 Disc - A High-Performance Solution for Roadies Venturing onto Gravel Roads

If you are a roadie looking to skip over to some gravel roads without having to change bikes, then the Princeton CarbonWorks Dual 5550 Disc lightweight, aero, and durable carbon wheels will likely hit that perfect sweet spot of high performance and long term durability.

Not that we typically are name-droppers, but the Dual 5550s were created precisely because the pro team Ineos needed to have a durable, aero, and lightweight wheelset to race the 2021 Paris-Roubaix. Considering one of their riders was on his way to winning the race before crashing twice and eventually took 4th place, we have to agree that the folks at PCW did a pretty good job out of the gates.

Understanding that few of us will ever have the chance to ride over the real cobbles of northern France, PCW is positioning this set of wheels as a dedicated all-road wheelset, which is intended to encompass everything from smooth tarmac to seriously rough gavel and indeed cobblestones. The rim width is particularly noteworthy since at 22mm internal and 30mm external, the rims can accommodate anything from a 28mm clincher/innertube set up at high pressure to a 50mm knobby tubeless tires at very low pressures. It’s optimized for 30-32mm tires, which is quickly becoming a normal road width, especially if you live somewhere with particularly poor road conditions.

If you have been paying attention to PCW’s other wheels and the naming scheme, you’ll immediately realize that the Dual 5550 Disc have a rim profile that undulates between 50mm and 55mm deep. That’s an excellent depth option with a nice mix of aero and lightweight. The versatility of these wheels doesn’t end there since they are also offered in rim and disc brake options as well as clincher/tubeless and tubular. The tubular has to be a nod towards the company’s WorldTour duties, but for any of us who still prize our rim brake bikes and supple tubular performance, this is happy news indeed.

Of course, there’s no denying that the disc/tubeless combo will likely be the most popular. And with good reason, since that is about the most convenient and durable mix you can find, especially if you plan on using these as an elite pair of gravel wheels. The hooked rim of the clincher/tubeless design ensures that you can safely pair just about any tubeless tire with these rims. The holeless tire bed means you won’t have to weigh the rims down with protective tape and have the ultimate advantage of ensuring the rims are super stiff.

Wide Range of Finishes and Hub Options of the Dual 5550 Disc Wheelset

The Princeton CarbonWorks Dual 5550 Disc carbon wheels are available in a wide variety of finishes, including Matte Black, Matte White, Gloss Chrome and Gloss Gold finished, with an equally wide choice of hubs, such as White Industries, Tune, Industry Nine, CarbonTi, Chris King, DT Swiss, and Tactic Racing. They are racing wheels that can enjoy getting muddy and banged up just as much as you do.

Be sure to check all of our road bikes and gravel bikes.