This was supposed to be "Bonus 4" from the previous article
but I've split it into its own post.
I had business at a distributor that handles Campagnolo wheels
—not the only one in Japan, but one of the few—
and while I was there,
a young staff member came up and said "I read your blog all the time!"
I warned him that reading something like this would make him dumb,
but anyway,
he mentioned that the new Bora WTO had just come in,
so I asked him to show it to me.
↑I got permission to take these photos and post them here.
Both are 60mm front wheels.
The old model had both WTO and Ultra WTO with G3 lacing × 8 for 24H front and rear,
but the new model has WTO at 24H front and rear,
and Ultra WTO at 21H front and rear.
You can see the difference in the number of G3 spoke bundles in the image above.
Apparently this distributor is the only one in Japan that has these in stock right now.
Both the WTO
and the Ultra WTO have their rim cosmetics changed.
It's nice that they did this so you can visually distinguish them from the old models.
However, as you can see, the WTO still uses external nipples,
while the Ultra WTO uses special internal nipples with Torx holes
that turn from the outside of the rim—that hasn't changed.
There's no rim brake model available,
only disc brake versions,
and only with 2WAY-FIT rim specs,
with the biggest change being that the rim internal width has become 23mm.
Previously all WTO models were 19mm,
and the Ultra WTO 45 and 60 were 19mm with only the 33 at 21mm,
so they've widened things considerably across the board.
The recommended tire width is 28–35C with 28C as the minimum.
Addendum: separate from "recommended," the "compatible size range" is
25–45C (see here).
The rim height lineup has changed from 33, 45, and 60mm
to 35, 45, and 60mm.
Between the old WTO and the new WTO,
there was an Ultra-only model
called the Bora Ultra WTO 80DB,
which had a 21mm internal width rim
and 21H spokes—very much a transitional design.
The 80mm doesn't have stock availability; it's special order
with lead times over a year, apparently.
Because they widened the rim, they must have made it thinner,
because the 60mm front wheel felt noticeably lighter when I held it.
The listed weight difference between the old and new Ultra WTO 60DB front and rear wheels is
1530g → 1395g,
which is an abnormally dramatic weight reduction,
even accounting for the change from 24H to 21H.
Comparing the old WTO 60DB and new WTO 60—where there's no spoke count change—
1590g → 1460g, so there's definitely lighter rim weight per rim height.
↑Old non-Ultra WTO front hub
↑New non-Ultra WTO front hub
These are official manufacturer images
showing the old and new WTO front hubs.
The flange shape on the radial lacing side is different,
but what caught my attention more is that the hub axle specs have changed,
with the new version having its dust seal positioned further outboard.
I don't think they've widened the bearing position, but
if they have, that would be quite a significant improvement.
With these rim spec changes,
listing the manufacturer's stated weights:
Old WTO 33 C19 rim 1450g
Old Ultra WTO 33 C21 rim 1385g
New WTO 35 C23 rim 1370g
New Ultra WTO 35 C23 rim 1285g
Hyperon DB C21 rim 1340g
Hyperon Ultra DB C21 rim 1240g
In the lightweight wheel category,
the new WTO 35 is now eating into Hyperon's territory.
For reference, the Hyperon DB has a 37mm rim height,
and the tubular rim spec available only on the Ultra version
is listed at 1160g,
so as long as they don't release an Ultra WTO tubular,
there's still some differentiation at the extreme end.
↑This is the rim seam on the opposite side from the valve hole,
and there are identical seams offset 120° at a time,
for a total of three locations.
On the old WTO and Ultra WTO,
these rim seams had their sides and peak machined smooth,
but there was a burr-like protrusion on the upper edge of the rim side
where it curves inward.
On the new WTO and Ultra WTO,
that's also been machined away,
and the finishing on all other areas
is generally more seamless,
so I'm told this also improves
tubeless tire bead seating.
The retail prices with tax are:
Old WTO DB at ¥446,600,
old Ultra WTO DB at ¥610,500, versus
new WTO at ¥469,700,
new Ultra WTO at ¥667,700.
However, the old WTO and Ultra WTO
were already raised last December from ¥387,200 and
¥532,400 respectively,
so compared to those, these are substantial increases.
By the way, the new WTO and Hyperon DB,
and the new Ultra WTO and Hyperon Ultra DB 2WAY-FIT
have the same retail price.
Also worth noting:
the Hyperon Ultra DB tubular is
¥702,900 with tax,
and the Bora Ultra WTO 80 is a separate model category since
unlike other Ultra WTO rim heights which have no price difference,
it's priced at ¥851,400 with tax.
On another note,
I personally picked up an IRON 6 portable tool
from Most, which is Pinarello's parts brand.
It's a simple set with 4, 5, and 6mm Allen keys
and Torx T15, T20, and T25.
The one on the right is 88mm but that's unrelated to this discussion.
I was looking for something light and compact,
without unnecessary items like flathead screwdrivers that you don't use much anymore.
The IRON 9 model
adds 2mm and 8mm Allen keys (strangely no 3mm)
and a flathead screwdriver.
The 8mm is a socket fitted onto the hex portion of the 5mm,
but for situations requiring an 8mm Allen key,
like crank removal, it would be completely inadequate.
The IRON 11 adds
a 3mm Allen key and chain breaker to the 9.
Beyond that, size-wise it becomes ordinary,
so I went with the IRON 6.
Compared to the Lezyne tool I've been using—3, 4, 5, 6mm Allen keys
and a Phillips screwdriver—
Most's is wider, but
thinner.
This new tool isn't replacing the Lezyne—the Lezyne is ideal for my rim brake bikes,
so I'll keep using it
(I've barely used it a couple of times,
but when you need it, you really need it, so it's definitely necessary).
Since my disc brake bike has lots of Torx fasteners
and no screwdriver locations,
I was looking for a compact portable tool to match that need.
but I've split it into its own post.
I had business at a distributor that handles Campagnolo wheels
—not the only one in Japan, but one of the few—
and while I was there,
a young staff member came up and said "I read your blog all the time!"
I warned him that reading something like this would make him dumb,
but anyway,
he mentioned that the new Bora WTO had just come in,
so I asked him to show it to me.
↑I got permission to take these photos and post them here.
Both are 60mm front wheels.
The old model had both WTO and Ultra WTO with G3 lacing × 8 for 24H front and rear,
but the new model has WTO at 24H front and rear,
and Ultra WTO at 21H front and rear.
You can see the difference in the number of G3 spoke bundles in the image above.
Apparently this distributor is the only one in Japan that has these in stock right now.
Both the WTO
and the Ultra WTO have their rim cosmetics changed.
It's nice that they did this so you can visually distinguish them from the old models.
However, as you can see, the WTO still uses external nipples,
while the Ultra WTO uses special internal nipples with Torx holes
that turn from the outside of the rim—that hasn't changed.
There's no rim brake model available,
only disc brake versions,
and only with 2WAY-FIT rim specs,
with the biggest change being that the rim internal width has become 23mm.
Previously all WTO models were 19mm,
and the Ultra WTO 45 and 60 were 19mm with only the 33 at 21mm,
so they've widened things considerably across the board.
The recommended tire width is 28–35C with 28C as the minimum.
Addendum: separate from "recommended," the "compatible size range" is
25–45C (see here).
The rim height lineup has changed from 33, 45, and 60mm
to 35, 45, and 60mm.
Between the old WTO and the new WTO,
there was an Ultra-only model
called the Bora Ultra WTO 80DB,
which had a 21mm internal width rim
and 21H spokes—very much a transitional design.
The 80mm doesn't have stock availability; it's special order
with lead times over a year, apparently.
Because they widened the rim, they must have made it thinner,
because the 60mm front wheel felt noticeably lighter when I held it.
The listed weight difference between the old and new Ultra WTO 60DB front and rear wheels is
1530g → 1395g,
which is an abnormally dramatic weight reduction,
even accounting for the change from 24H to 21H.
Comparing the old WTO 60DB and new WTO 60—where there's no spoke count change—
1590g → 1460g, so there's definitely lighter rim weight per rim height.
↑Old non-Ultra WTO front hub
↑New non-Ultra WTO front hub
These are official manufacturer images
showing the old and new WTO front hubs.
The flange shape on the radial lacing side is different,
but what caught my attention more is that the hub axle specs have changed,
with the new version having its dust seal positioned further outboard.
I don't think they've widened the bearing position, but
if they have, that would be quite a significant improvement.
With these rim spec changes,
listing the manufacturer's stated weights:
Old WTO 33 C19 rim 1450g
Old Ultra WTO 33 C21 rim 1385g
New WTO 35 C23 rim 1370g
New Ultra WTO 35 C23 rim 1285g
Hyperon DB C21 rim 1340g
Hyperon Ultra DB C21 rim 1240g
In the lightweight wheel category,
the new WTO 35 is now eating into Hyperon's territory.
For reference, the Hyperon DB has a 37mm rim height,
and the tubular rim spec available only on the Ultra version
is listed at 1160g,
so as long as they don't release an Ultra WTO tubular,
there's still some differentiation at the extreme end.
↑This is the rim seam on the opposite side from the valve hole,
and there are identical seams offset 120° at a time,
for a total of three locations.
On the old WTO and Ultra WTO,
these rim seams had their sides and peak machined smooth,
but there was a burr-like protrusion on the upper edge of the rim side
where it curves inward.
On the new WTO and Ultra WTO,
that's also been machined away,
and the finishing on all other areas
is generally more seamless,
so I'm told this also improves
tubeless tire bead seating.
The retail prices with tax are:
Old WTO DB at ¥446,600,
old Ultra WTO DB at ¥610,500, versus
new WTO at ¥469,700,
new Ultra WTO at ¥667,700.
However, the old WTO and Ultra WTO
were already raised last December from ¥387,200 and
¥532,400 respectively,
so compared to those, these are substantial increases.
By the way, the new WTO and Hyperon DB,
and the new Ultra WTO and Hyperon Ultra DB 2WAY-FIT
have the same retail price.
Also worth noting:
the Hyperon Ultra DB tubular is
¥702,900 with tax,
and the Bora Ultra WTO 80 is a separate model category since
unlike other Ultra WTO rim heights which have no price difference,
it's priced at ¥851,400 with tax.
On another note,
I personally picked up an IRON 6 portable tool
from Most, which is Pinarello's parts brand.
It's a simple set with 4, 5, and 6mm Allen keys
and Torx T15, T20, and T25.
The one on the right is 88mm but that's unrelated to this discussion.
I was looking for something light and compact,
without unnecessary items like flathead screwdrivers that you don't use much anymore.
The IRON 9 model
adds 2mm and 8mm Allen keys (strangely no 3mm)
and a flathead screwdriver.
The 8mm is a socket fitted onto the hex portion of the 5mm,
but for situations requiring an 8mm Allen key,
like crank removal, it would be completely inadequate.
The IRON 11 adds
a 3mm Allen key and chain breaker to the 9.
Beyond that, size-wise it becomes ordinary,
so I went with the IRON 6.
Compared to the Lezyne tool I've been using—3, 4, 5, 6mm Allen keys
and a Phillips screwdriver—
Most's is wider, but
thinner.
This new tool isn't replacing the Lezyne—the Lezyne is ideal for my rim brake bikes,
so I'll keep using it
(I've barely used it a couple of times,
but when you need it, you really need it, so it's definitely necessary).
Since my disc brake bike has lots of Torx fasteners
and no screwdriver locations,
I was looking for a compact portable tool to match that need.