We have previously praised Topolino’s V39 carbon tubular wheels.  It has now updated those wheels with the new Carbon Core™ version that includes new hubs that both improve bearing life and performance.  The new flange shaped ends also allow Topolino to eliminate the small black spoke bonds near the hub.  The wheels look much better without the chunky black pieces near the hubs and those new hubs can be fitted with ceramic hybrid bearings for only an additional $200.00. 

Topolino wheels are hand made in Connecticut using its Carbon Core™ spokes which span across the wheel and are fully integrated into the composite hub shell. These super-strong carbon fiber and Kevlar spokes are laced to 40mm-deep all carbon tubular rims supplied by Zipp (which are aero profiled and have ceramic braking surfaces). The Carbon Core™ spokes are 40% the weight of an average steel spoke.  This weight savings allows Topolino to use more spokes per wheel while not increasing the weight.  The increased spoke count and their carbon/Kevlar composition contribute to both the increased lateral stiffness and comfort of the wheels when compared to metal spokes. 

Topolino claims the VX4.0s weigh 1120g (although my Campy version weighed a little more).  This is a weight reduction of 50g when compared to the V39s.  Like the V39s, one of the great things about the VX4.0s is that their hyper-light weight does not come at the cost of comfort or strength.  The simple fact that these wheels use 24 Carbon Core™ spokes up front and 30 in the rear, results in wheels that are both comfortable enough and strong enough for everyday use.  Additionally, unlike other very expensive carbon spoked wheels, the VX4.0s are truable and repairable.

Until riding the VX4.0s, which I’ve now had for several months, I had not ridden a set of wheels I liked more than the V39s.  The VX4.0s have a practically identical ride, but with a slight improvement in lateral stiffness.  What really separates them, though, is the ceramic hybrid bearings.  I can swap back and forth between my V39s and the VX4.0s and there is a significant difference.  The ceramic hybrid bearings are super smooth with a noticeable lack of friction.  Whether it's something you can't live without will depend on your perspective.

Please note that I bought some ceramic hybrid bearings from a web-based source (Boca Bearings) for my V39s and was very disappointed.  If you decide to switch to ceramic hybrid bearings, please buy high quality bearings like those offered by Topolino, FSA, Zipp, etc.  I have learned that not all ceramic bearings are worth the time and/or expense. 

Accelerating, climbing, sprinting and even just cruising on a set of hyper-light, super efficient and comfortable wheels makes the biggest difference in your riding pleasure of any component (or even frameset) change you can make.  The VX4.0s with ceramic hybrid bearings, plain and simple, are the best wheels I’ve ever ridden.  While they aren’t aerodynamic enough to use over some other wheels in time trials or triathlons, for every other type of riding you can do on a bike, these are the wheels you will see me on.

KDG