Posted on October 10, 2022 by Tyler Benedict
Parcours’ updated Chrono wheels debut three new options from deep, to deeper, to full disc for riders looking for more speed without giving up crosswind stability.
The new Chrono wheelset is a mixed depth front and rear combo. They’re joined by the deeper Chrono Max front wheel, which can be paired with the all-new Chrono Disc² rear wheel. Despite being deeper than their predecessors, they windtunnel tested to be just as stable but now faster in a straight line.
They’re also designed and aerodynamically optimized for 28mm tubeless tires, giving riders the advantages of lower air pressures, better traction and more comfort without losing speed.
Designed in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University and Dr. Steve Faulkner, the new range is built on their #thinkwider concept (read the white paper here). The goal is to provide the fastest possible wheels that can also maintain safe, predictable handling in crosswinds.
The TL;DR version is that they found that real world yaw angles differ by up to 1.5º from front to rear, so the rim profiles are different for front and back. A blunter U-shaped front rim profile handles steeper wind angles better, while a V-shaped rear rim slices through the air better at the lower yaw angles it sees.
The Chrono Wheelset uses a 68.6mm deep front wheel with a 75.7mm deep rear wheel. It’s the deepest combo they offer, aimed at racers, triathletes and time trialists who don’t want to go full disc in the rear.
The new, wider design has a 17% improvement in crosswind stability over the prior design, but is just as aerodynamic. They say it handles as well or better than many competitors’ shallower aero wheels.
They measure 22.5mm internal with a maximum external width of 32mm (front) and 30.5mm (rear). Claimed weight is 1620g (745g front, 875g rear), laced 24/24 with Sapim CX-Ray spokes. MSRP is $1,599 (€1,559 / £1,199) for the set with EZO steel bearings, or upgrade to Kogel Ceramic for a few hundred bucks more.
The Chrono Max goes a bit deeper for those days when you want to pair with a full disc rear. It measures 83.6mm deep, 22.5mm wide internally, and 32mm wide externally. Claimed weight is 805g laced 24/24 with Sapim CX-Ray spokes. All wheels use a Centerlock disc brake rotor mount.
They say the Chrono Max saves 4 watts compared to the prior 77mm deep wheel, but handles with the same stability. MSRP is $800 (€780 / £600) on its own.
The Chrono Disc² claims to be the first full disc rear wheel fully optimized for wider tires, working with up to 700x30mm tires with no aerodynamic penalty. It’s 120g lighter than their prior disc wheel, coming in at a claimed 1,240g and measuring 22.5mm internal/30.5mm external.
MSRP is $1,399 (€1,359 / £1,049) alone, or bundle it with the Chrono ($2,119/€2,049/£1,599 for the set) or Chrono Max ($2,199/€2,139/£1,649 for the set) front wheels. All models available now.
Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for 14 years. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America.
Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves finding new travel adventures to share with his family and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter. And, he’s totally gone down the NFT rabbit hole.
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