Differences Between Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800

    Posted at: Jul 26, 2022

    The Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800 are commonly equipped on entry to mid-range disc road bikes. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between the two wheelsets.

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    Differences Between Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800

    Table of contents

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    What Are the Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800 Wheels?

    The Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800 are both considered OEM wheels,
    meaning they are pre-built wheelsets supplied by Fulcrum to bicycle manufacturers.
    As they are intended for OEM sales, they are not available for general retail purchase.

    Both wheels are made of aluminum and are on the heavier side,
    making them a common stock specification on entry- to mid-range disc brake road bikes and gravel bikes.

    Detailed Specifications of the Racing DB 900

    Let’s take a closer look at the specifications for the Fulcrum Racing DB 900.

    Item Racing DB 900
    Brake Type Disc Brake
    Tire Compatibility 700C / 650B
    Weight 1950g / 1870g
    Rim Material Aluminum
    Rim Height 22mm
    Rim Width (external) 23.8mm
    Rim Width (internal) 19mm
    Tire Size Range 23C–40C
    Front Spoke Count 28
    Rear Spoke Count 28
    Spoke Material Stainless Steel
    Nipple Material Brass
    Front Axle Standard 100mm Thru-Axle (12mm)
    Rear Axle Standard 142mm Thru-Axle (12mm)
    Freehub Compatibility Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo

    Reference: Racing 900 DB 700c/650b | Fulcrum Wheel

    Detailed Specifications of the Racing DB 800

    Next, let’s take a look at the specifications for the Fulcrum Racing DB 800.

    Item Racing DB 800
    Brake Type Disc Brake
    Tire Compatibility 700C
    Weight 1960g
    Rim Material Aluminum
    Rim Height 33.7mm
    Rim Width (external) 24.1mm
    Rim Width (internal) 19mm
    Tire Size Range 23C–40C
    Front Spoke Count 28
    Rear Spoke Count 28
    Spoke Material Stainless Steel
    Nipple Material Brass
    Front Axle Standard 100mm Thru-Axle (12mm)
    Rear Axle Standard 142mm Thru-Axle (12mm)
    Freehub Compatibility Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo

    Reference: Racing 800 DB | Fulcrum Wheel

    Differences Between Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800

    Next, let’s compare the specifications of the two models.

    Item Racing DB 900 Racing DB 800
    Brake Type Disc Brake Disc Brake
    Tire Compatibility 700C / 650B 700C
    Weight 1950g / 1870g 1960g
    Rim Material Aluminum Aluminum
    Rim Height 22mm 33.7mm
    Rim Width (external) 23.8mm 24.1mm
    Rim Width (internal) 19mm 19mm
    Tire Size Range 23C–40C 23C–40C
    Front Spoke Count 28 28
    Rear Spoke Count 28 28
    Spoke Material Stainless Steel Stainless Steel
    Nipple Material Brass Brass
    Front Axle Standard 100mm Thru-Axle (12mm) 100mm Thru-Axle (12mm)
    Rear Axle Standard 142mm Thru-Axle (12mm) 142mm Thru-Axle (12mm)
    Freehub Compatibility Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo

    The main differences between the Fulcrum Racing DB 900 and Racing DB 800 are:

    1. Size
    2. Rim height and width
    3. Weight

    All other specifications are essentially identical.

    In terms of size, the Racing DB 900 is available not only in the standard road size 700C but also in 650B, which is commonly used for gravel bikes and 27.5" MTBs. The Racing DB 800 is available only in 700C.

    As for rim differences, the Racing DB 900 has a rim height of 22mm, classifying it as a “narrow rim,” while the Racing DB 800 has a 33.7mm rim height, making it a “semi-deep rim.”

    Although the rim height differs by 13mm, the weight difference is just 10g, which is impressive for the DB 800. Given that greater rim height usually means better aerodynamic performance at equal weight, the Racing DB 800 tends to fetch a higher price on the used market.

    How to Tell the Difference Between Racing DB 900 and DB 800

    Most wheels in the Fulcrum Racing DB series have decals on the rim that include the model number, making them easy to identify.

    The Racing DB 900 has a large “9” printed on the rim, referencing its model number. The Racing DB 800 features a large gray “8” along with the number “800” in white font.

    Depending on the orientation of the decal, the Racing DB 800 may be harder to distinguish at a glance, but the numbers are usually visible upon close inspection.

    Another key distinction is rim height—if the rim is higher, it’s likely a DB 800; if it’s narrower, it’s a DB 900.

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