FFWD RAW 55 Review: Fast, Wide, and Built for Big Days
We tested the FFWD RAW 55 wheels for over a year on real roads in Girona, Mallorca, Netherlands, Calpe and Belgium. So its safe to say they got a good test.
For full clarity: FFWD provided the wheels before launch for photoshoot, video project and initial feedback. For this article we weren’t paid to say anything, and this review is independent, based on our riding experience across thousands of kilometres and a few tubless blowouts.
The FFWD RAW 55 is a fast all-round wheelset built around wider tyres and long days. The 55 mm depth gives it enough aero benefit for fast rides and racing, while the 30 mm external width pairs well with modern 28 to 32 mm tyres. It’s not the lightest wheel, but it’s planted, stable, and confident. If you’re a fan of wider setups or ride in crosswinds, you’ll appreciate the handling.
While they feel great on fast descents and smooth climbs, they aren’t ideal for ultra-steep efforts or light climber builds. FFWD CeramicSpeed hubs are as good as you’d expect smooth, fast, and loud in a good way, but not as loud as DT Swiss so your ears wont hurt to much.
Strengths
- Confident in crosswinds, even at 55 mm depth
- Wide 30 mm external width pairs well with 28–32 mm tyres
- DT180 hubs spin like butter and sound great
- Strong lateral stiffness for sprinting and hard efforts
Weaknesses
- Heavier than some competitors in the same category
- Expensive
- Not ideal for super lightweight climbing setups
Background Story
The RAW 55 is FFWD’s flagship performance wheelset, built around the best internals they offer: carbon rims with hooked tubeless compatibility and Ceramic hubs. It's their answer to riders who want aero, wide tyres, and top-end parts in one setup. Unlike many brands going hookless, FFWD stuck with a hooked bead to allow higher pressures and classic tyre fitment, which makes them more versatile.
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Design Details
The rim has a clean matte carbon finish, no flashy decals, and a deep internal width (21 mm) that supports wide road tyres well. The external 30 mm profile looks modern and plays well with frames built around aero shaping.
The FFWD graphics are minimal and shiny, and they look great. The hubs are FFWD CeramicSpeed and ceramic bearings. Spoke tension is high and consistent across both wheels.
Tubeless setup is smooth. Tyres pop on easily and seal with no issues. We tested them with 28 mm GP5000 S TR and 30 mm Pirelli Race TLR tyres.
How It Performs
The RAW 55 feels planted, even in gusty wind. Descending at speed on open roads in Tramuntana or Girona's coast felt secure and calm. Sprinting and cornering are precise—no brake rub, no flex.
On climbs, the weight starts to show. While not slow, it’s not as snappy as shallower wheels like a 35 mm Enve or Zipp 303. But on rolling terrain or big days with flats and climbing, they’re ideal. They do make 44s and even climbing specfic versions btw. so dont let this put you off.
Acceleration is solid thanks to the responsive hubs. On smooth tarmac, they hold speed well. If your riding is mostly long endurance rides with a mix of efforts, these wheels suit that perfectly.
Value for Money
They retail around €2,499. That’s a big spend, but you’re getting DT180 hubs, ceramic bearings, and a solid carbon layup that’s reliable. Competing wheels like the Zipp 454 or Enve SES 5.6 cost similar or more, but few offer hooked rims and this kind of width in a 55 mm profile.
This is a wheelset for someone who’s already dialled their fit, knows they want wide tyres, and wants a high-end build that lasts.
The Final Thought
The RAW 55 offers a premium ride feel, solid aero gains, and exceptional stability with wider tyres. It’s not for weight weenies or those chasing KOMs uphill, but if you want a deep-section set you can trust every day and in every condition, they deliver.
Our Rating
Style and design: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10
Climbing: 6/10
Descending and handling: 9/10
Hub performance: 10/10
Stability in wind: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Total: 81%
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