Review of the Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45 Wheelset

The latest iteration of the famous Campagnolo Bora wheelset offers stiffness, versatility, and smoothness. This Ultra WTO 45 version is top-of-the-line and is capable of enhancing the performance of any bike—even if it means spending over €3,000.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @3bikes.fr

Campagnolo wheels have always enjoyed an excellent reputation, both in terms of performance and reliability. We personally know a top-level racer who has ridden his personal Bora tubular wheels for over 15 years, on all types of terrain. That’s a record! For over 25 years the Bora has been the Italian brand’s flagship product, and this latest Ultra WTO 45 version is no exception—quite the opposite, in fact. The Bora WTO, with their new rim shape, are offered in four rim heights: 33, 45, 60 and 77 mm. The same applies to this Ultra version (except for the 77 mm model), which stands out thanks to exceptionally smooth-rolling all-ceramic Cult bearings, aerodynamic elliptical spokes, rim-integrated nuts, and a redesigned hub shape (the front hub is made of carbon). Like their smaller counterparts, they feature a G3 spoke pattern (3 spokes per 3, arranged asymmetrically on both the front and rear wheels). 

With an internal width of 19 mm and an external width of 26.1 mm, they are aerodynamically optimized for 25 mm-wide tires (or tubeless tires). 

With this versatile rim height, the Bora Ultra WTO 45 (for disc brakes) weighs in at 1,430 g. The build quality is excellent, as you’d expect from a product in this price range. They are, of course, available for traditional rim brakes, but no longer for tubular tires. https://www.3bikes.fr/2021/09/24/test-du-groupe-campagnolo-super-record-eps-disc-12-vitesses/

On the Road with the Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45 On flat terrain, the 45-mm profile is ideal and allows you to ride at a good pace without feeling buffeted by crosswinds. The rims carry enough inertia to hold your pace, and the hubs spin with a noticeable smoothness. Their stiffness shines whenever you need to accelerate, delivering a very pleasant sense of responsiveness and agility. 

In the city, during frequent stops and starts at traffic lights or stop signs, the Bora Ultra WTO 45s feel more demanding over time, as they perform best when you anticipate gear changes and maintain a high enough cadence to avoid running into their strict limits regarding lateral flex. Here, the choice of tyres proves crucial for road feel, responsiveness and comfort. Fitted with high-end tubeless tyres and proper inflation pressure, the Bora Ultra WTOs become easier to handle after just a few rides.

=> SEE ALSO: Buy Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45 wheels

On climbs, you should also avoid getting carried away by their exceptional efficiency and don’t hesitate to use the derailleur. The Bora Ultra WTO wheelset is very stiff and doesn’t dissipate power, even when pedalling hard and trying to twist the bike while standing on the pedals. On the other hand, they can easily bring you back down to earth and show you your current limits if you overestimate your strength by counting on a little “spring effect” when you lose your coordination at the peak of your effort. Trained riders will have no trouble adapting and seeing an improvement in their performance. For everyone else, it’ll take a bit of humility, maintaining a steady pace, and—above all—appreciating the smooth, fluid ride they provide.

On descents and at high speeds, their stability is excellent. They inspire confidence. And once again, their smoothness allows you to ride very fast. In short, the Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45 wheels belong to the category of exceptional wheels—the kind that enhance athletic performance and improve a bike’s handling, although it’s best if the bike already has a good level of stiffness to pair perfectly with this luxury product. At €3,150 per pair, the Bora Ultra WTOs aren’t cheap. Fortunately, the reliability of Campagnolo wheels also weighs in the balance.

=> SEE ALSO: All our Gear articles https://www.3bikes.fr/2021/10/01/test-du-cinelli-pressure/