Partington R-Series Performance 65/65 Wheelset

The Partington R-Series Performance 65/65 Wheelset is a deep-section carbon disc wheelset for riders who prioritize speed on flat and rolling roads and want a rim that is still light enough to live with. Both wheels use a 65mm rim depth, a matched front-and-rear pairing aimed at aero road bikes, fast group rides, and race-day use. At 1,290 grams, with a tolerance of plus or minus 1 percent, it is a set that sits closer to the lightweight end of the deep-section category than the depth might suggest.

The rim is built from Partington's AERON carbon fiber, a multi-material composite that uses Toray fibers and a PMI foam core. Foam-core construction is a different approach from a conventional hollow carbon rim: the core supports the layup from within, which is how Partington is able to keep weight down at this depth. The rim measures 23mm inside and 34mm outside, a wide, rounded profile that works well with modern 28mm to 32mm tires. Partington lists 28mm as the minimum tire size and 32mm as the maximum, so this is a wheel intended for wider road tires rather than narrow race rubber. Clincher and tubeless setups are both supported, with a maximum tire pressure of 87 psi.

The wheels run Partington's PERFORM aluminum hubs in an anodized silver finish, with Centerlock disc rotor mounting. Spoke count is 18 in the front and 21 in the rear. The rear count is higher to cope with drive-side load, which is common on wheelsets built around deep carbon rims. The maximum rider weight listed is 242 pounds, and that spec is worth checking against your own weight and your bike's before you order.

Driver compatibility is a straightforward choice at checkout. You can order the Partington R-Series Performance 65/65 for Campagnolo N3W, Shimano or SRAM 11-speed with an HG11 driver, or SRAM XDR. That covers mechanical and electronic setups from the major groupset makers, so the wheelset isn't tied to a specific drivetrain brand. Color options are Strong White and Subtle White.

For a 65mm wheel, the set is also easy to unbox. Each wheel comes with an exercise towel, a bidon, a wheel bag, a lockring, and a valve, so you get storage and setup parts in the package. Pair it with an aero road frame and wider tires and you have a build that puts deep-section speed on a rim with a modern internal width, without moving into a wheel that only works on perfect pavement.

At $5,520, the Partington R-Series Performance 65/65 is a premium wheelset, and it's aimed at riders who ride fast and want a specification that reflects current rim design: wide, tubeless-ready, and disc-only. If you ride flat or rolling courses, race on aero road bikes, or simply want a deep wheelset that doesn't give up much weight, it deserves a place on your short list.