Mercury Wheels

M3 Road Wheelset - Clincher

At first blush, you might be inclined to compare Mercury's 30mm-deep M3 Carbon Clincher Wheelset to other manufacturers' pure climbing wheels. And you'd be right to do so, at least when it comes to climbing. But these aren't just a one-trick pony. The M3s' aerodynamic pedigree, low weight, and brute strength also recommend them for every other aspect of competitive cycling. This includes the interminable, grueling "ups," sure, but it also encompasses the "downs," "flats," and "flat-outs" we encounter across the course of a given day in the saddle. The M3 Wheelset covers the demands of every terrain on every day of your cycling life.

As with the deeper M5, the M3 rim's construction is informed by the Dual Carbon Layer Process, or DLP. Mercury blends high- and mid-moduli carbon fibers to straddle the best balance between the lightweight and stiffness of the former and the fatigue-resistance and durability of the latter. DLP also involves the incorporation of basalt fibers in the brake track to reduce heat build-up and increase stopping power. That increased stopping power goes a long way toward addressing the poor braking that is one of the most common critiques of carbon wheels.

The 30mm rims strike an all-purpose middle ground between straight-on aerodynamics, hiding from crosswinds, and considerations of weight for climbing. The width of 24mm is also a neat balancing act, increasing stiffness while letting the tire sit fatter for additional aerodynamic gains, a plusher ride, and confident cornering while fighting to maintain an advantage on a descent. The aerodynamic benefits of the deep rims are further complemented by Mercury's Seamless Transition Technology (STT), which integrates the brake strip with the rest of the rim in order to eliminate any obstructions to wind flow and reduce drag-causing turbulence.

The M3 rims are laced with Sapim's indefatigable CX-Ray spokes to Mercury's own proprietary Pro hubs. The Mercury Pro freehub engages with six pawls for a nearly immediate responsiveness that takes advantage of the rims' low rotational inertia with an angle of engagement on par with quality mountain bike wheels. Both hubs have a 15 millimeter axle that tapers to accommodate a traditional quick-release and two and four over-sized bearings in the front and back, respectively.