Princeton Wake 6560 Strada Disc Brake Wheelset w/Tactic Hubs

The Princeton CarbonWorks Wake 6560 Strada Disc Brake Wheelset w/Tactic Hubs was built on a simple premise: fast riding rarely happens in ideal conditions. Wind comes at you from the side. Courses mix long straights with punchy climbs. Tire choices have evolved. A rim optimized for a single wind angle or a single discipline leaves performance on the table everywhere else. Princeton CarbonWorks designed the Wake profile to address exactly that — a variable-depth rim that undulates between 60 and 65mm in a waved geometry intended to reduce drag across a wider range of real-world wind angles, not just the ones that look good in a wind tunnel chart.

The Strada variant takes that aero foundation and pairs it with an internal rim width of 20.5mm, built to accommodate 25mm tires and wider. That width isn't incidental — it reflects how road cycling has actually changed. Wider tires at appropriate pressures lower rolling resistance and smooth out road buzz without surrendering the aerodynamic advantage of a deep-section rim. The Wake 6560 Strada comes in at just over 1,500 grams for the set, which means it holds its own on climbs and punchy terrain, not just time trial courses and flat crits. This is a wheelset that travels well across a road quiver — competitive training rides, gran fondos, and race days where the course doesn't fit neatly into a single category.

The hub choice matters here. Princeton CarbonWorks developed their own Tactic Racing hub to pair specifically with their carbon rims, prioritizing low-drag bearing systems and smooth engagement. The spoke lacing, rim profile, and hub are designed as a system — not assembled from unrelated components. Available in Campagnolo and HG11 freehub configurations, the Wake 6560 Strada covers the most common drivetrain setups for serious road riders without compromise at either end.

Design Benefits

1. Wake Variable-Depth Profile: Rather than a uniform rim depth, the Wake geometry shifts between 60 and 65mm in a waved pattern around the circumference. This approach is designed to manage airflow across a broader range of wind angles — important because real-world riding rarely delivers the clean, steady headwind that flatters a conventional deep-section rim. The result is intended to be more consistent aerodynamic performance as conditions shift.
2. Strada-Width Rim for Modern Tire Setups: The 20.5mm internal width is sized to bring out the best in 25mm and wider tubeless tires — the same tire dimensions now standard among road racers at the highest level. A wider rim bed improves the tire's aerodynamic profile, reduces casing distortion, and allows lower pressures that increase grip and reduce road-transmitted fatigue on longer efforts.
3. Tactic Hub Integration: The Tactic Racing hub was developed by Princeton CarbonWorks to complement their rim engineering, not sourced as an afterthought. Low-drag bearings and smooth freehub engagement mean the drivetrain connection between your effort and the wheel is clean and direct. Spoke tension and lacing patterns are matched to the hub flanges and rim as a unified system, contributing to long-term wheel stability.
4. Disc Brake Platform: Disc brakes allow for consistent stopping power in wet and variable conditions without relying on rim surface friction — an important consideration when carbon rims are involved. The Wake 6560 Strada is built from the ground up for disc, meaning the rim profile is not a conversion or adaptation of a rim-brake design. That distinction allows the rim geometry to be optimized purely for aerodynamics and structural performance.
5. Competitive Weight for a Deep-Section Wheel: Approximately 1,500 grams puts this wheelset in territory where it can hold its own across varied terrain. Deep-section carbon wheels that carry meaningful weight become a liability the moment the road tilts upward. The Wake 6560 Strada is designed to remain a credible choice whether the course is flat, rolling, or genuinely demanding.

Final Take

The Wake 6560 Strada is built for the rider who wants a single wheelset capable of handling a road race, a long training day, and everything between — without making apologies for the terrain or the weather. The Princeton CarbonWorks engineering behind the Wake profile, Tactic hub system, and Strada rim width adds up to a tubeless wheel that rewards riders who are serious about both speed and versatility. If you want a deep-section carbon road wheel that doesn't ask you to specialize, this is a considered, well-engineered answer.