FFWD RYOT 55 review
Looking for a fast wheel upgrade for your road or tri set-up? The FFWD RYOT 55 might be just the ticket
FFWD wheels are hand-built in Holland. The RYOT range gives you the benefit of its ‘Laminar Airflow Wing’ (LAW) technology at lower cost than the top-of-the-range RAW lineup: RYOT 55 will set you back £1,349.
‘Faster than Zipp, Roval and Fulcrum’
From what we can dissect, LAW is a blanket term for FFWD’s research and development into optimising aerodynamics on its wheelsets. They are now claimed to suit wider tyres than the 23mm rubber its previous wheels were designed for.
It claims the RYOT 55s saved between 1.5 and 2.7 watts over rival wheelsets from Zipp, Roval and Fulcrum in the wind tunnel across numerous “real-world” angles.
This is impossible for me to quantify without my own wind tunnel. Yet, FFWD’s data is well presented and the brand has clearly done its homework.
The packaging proudly states you’re getting “a box full of confidence”. FFWD are difficult to beat for reassuring you that your fancy new carbon wheels are built properly and will last.
Rim tape is applied and tubeless valves are included. Inside the box is a high-quality protective bag with each wheel in separate compartments. This is great for travel and storage if you put your best wheels away for winter.
A solid not spectacular spec
Also useful for travelling triathletes is the wide availability of parts used on this wheelset. If anything goes wrong, you should be able to replace the DT AeroComp straight-pull spokes and DT Swiss 350 ratchet hubs.
Neither are the absolute pinnacle of performance (you can upgrade to lighter, faster-engaging DT Swiss 240 hubs for a hefty £250 levy). But it’s decent, reliable kit.
A hooked rim with an internal 21mm width means you’re not limited on tyre choice either. I chose to use 28mm clinchers with TPU tubes for my test rides.
Thrillingly fast and stiff
On the road, the RYOT 55 wheels impressed when I got up to speed and felt super fast on the flats and descents. They also felt stiff and responsive during explosive efforts. I’d be happy running these wheels on an aero road bike for sprint triathlons.
There were a couple of wobbly moments in very high winds, but that’s to be expected when you get up to the 55m depth. The sound from the DT Swiss 350 hub is not too loud and not too quiet. It’s unlikely to annoy anyone on the club run.
The 1,690g weight is not the lightest around by any means. Being the deepest wheelset in our group test, FFWD RYOT 55 comes with more rim and some extra weight.
It was only noticeable to me riding them the day after trying out Black Inc’s 48|58 wheels (a whole 400g lighter) that the RYOT 55s are a little more sluggish on hills. But they are more than half the price.
Impressive overall, if you don’t mind the weight penalty
The FFWD RYOT 55 wheels are very well built, look great and will generally serve you very well for tri or a fast road bike set-up.
I’d just be wanting a slightly lower weight and the more premium hubs from DT Swiss at this price. These are minor gripes though.
220 Triathlon verdict
Fast, well built and reliable wheelset that looks great Score: 80%
Pros
- Quick on the flat
- Build quality seems high
Cons
- Weightier than some options
- Spec could be better for the price
FFWD RYOT 55 specs
| Price: | £1,349 |
| Spokes: | Bladed, double-butted |
| Rim depth: | 55mm |
| Internal rim width: | 21mm |
| Tyre type: | Tubeless or clincher |
| Weight: | 1,690g |
Jack Sexty
Editor at road.cc 
