Edco TrackSport Fluela Light (85mm) review

Edco has slowly taken more and more of the track share over the last few seasons, which has been dominated by the likes of Zipp, FFWD and Mavic. Now you see a good mix with a number of Six Day pros using the Edco TrackSport Fluela Light track wheels that are hand made in the Netherlands.

>>> Track bike buyer's guide

The Edco TrackSport Fluela Light wheels come in either 85mm or 60mm depths and prove very popular among the endurance track cyclists.

My test set, the 85mm version, is designed to be stiff, fast and able to handle the quick pace changes that track cycling brings – which they do very well.

I ought to mention that although the £2,000 price tag seems high, you do get a set of Continental Sprinter tyres with the purchase, as well as the usual lockring, axle locknuts, wheel bags and a neat little cover to give the double-sided hub a cleaner look.

On top of that you get a really good set of wheels to boot. The rims are an 85mm airfoil shape sitting at a 26.7mm external width.

The carbon is a 9K 8mm twill weave with 3K carbon rim bed to ensure stable aerodynamics at speed and to reduce weight without losing strength. You also get Sapim CX Aero, 24 spokes front and rear.

As a local track racer, racing mostly local leagues and the odd bigger open event, these have been great as an all-round option. I chucked them on at the beginning of the year and they've pretty much stayed on the bike. They feel at home in all your typical bunch events (scratch, points, devils, Madisons, etc).

As the Edco TrackSport Fluela Light are a very stiff track wheel they launch from low speeds nicely but really sing once up to a good race pace. They hold that speed almost effortlessly, dancing between 20mph and 30mph quite nicely. At high speeds the wheels feel planted and stable too – a good thing when sprinting for the line.

Compared to a recent set I've tested, the DT Swiss RC 55 Track T, which are £1,000 cheaper than the Edcos here, these feel like a step up in performance. And although much deeper (85mm compared to 55mm) you don't feel much, if any, buffeting from the wind even on the outdoor velodromes.

Top marks.