Partington R-Series Review: Deep Carbon Wheels Built to Be Serviced

Introduction

Partington has replaced its shallower road wheels with the R-Series, a new performance wheelset built around two modern rim depths. The previous generation sat between 39 mm and 41 mm, while the R-Series moves to a 50 mm option and a 65 mm option, giving riders a clearer choice between all-round depth and outright aerodynamic profile.

The headline number is weight. The 65 mm Performance Tyre wheelset is claimed at 1,265 g for a pair, which is unusually light for a rim that deep. The 50 mm version of the same tier is claimed at 1,175 g, and the standard Performance Series pair comes in at 1,200 g for 50 mm and 1,290 g for 65 mm.

Both tiers share the same rim, so the decision between them is about hardware rather than the shape of the wheel. Everything is manufactured in Geelong, Australia.

Who This Product Is For

This is a wheelset for riders who want a deep-section carbon rim without accepting the weight penalty that usually comes with one. If your current 40 mm wheels are lighter than a 65 mm set, the R-Series changes that equation.

It also suits riders who have been put off carbon-spoke wheels by the fear of an unrepairable failure. The new spoke system is designed to be serviced rather than replaced wholesale, which makes the wheels easier to live with across several seasons.

Riders who want a single wheelset for everything should think carefully about depth. The 50 mm option is the more versatile choice, while the 65 mm version is aimed at riders who prioritise speed and are happy to run a deeper rim in most conditions.

Main Strengths

A rim built around an aerospace-grade foam core

The rim uses an aerospace-grade foam core carbon construction with a 23 mm internal width and a 34 mm external width. That internal width is a meaningful step up from the previous generation and gives modern road tyres a better shape at the contact patch.

Carbon spokes that can actually be replaced

The carbon fibre spokes are the most interesting part of the design. A proprietary system lets a spoke be unbolted from the hub, rotated and withdrawn, so a damaged spoke no longer condemns the whole wheel. For riders who have avoided carbon spokes because of serviceability concerns, this is the feature that changes the calculation.

A quieter hub with 68 points of engagement

The rear hub uses a new driver with 68 engagement points. Just as importantly, it is quiet rather than deliberately loud, which will appeal to riders who prefer a discreet freehub sound. Partington also fits lightweight lock rings.

Two hardware tiers

The Performance Series uses aluminium hub internals and standard bearings with a satin silver hub finish. The Performance Tyre tier steps up to ceramic bearings and titanium hardware, including the axle and selected internal parts.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Price is the first consideration. The Performance Series is priced at £5,200 for a pair, and the Performance Tyre is £6,000 for a pair. That places the range firmly in premium territory.

Crash damage is covered by a tiered programme for the original owner: free replacement or repair in the first year, then 50% off RRP in the second year, 40% in the third, 30% in the fourth and 20% in the fifth.

Decals are worth deciding early. The wheels come in a bold white graphic, a smaller font option and an all-black finish, and the choice changes the character of the bike considerably. Depth mixing is also possible, so a 50 mm front can be paired with a 65 mm rear.

Deeper rims also bring the usual practical trade-offs: more surface area in crosswinds and a firmer ride than a shallow wheel. Riders who mostly climb, or who ride in exposed and gusty conditions, may prefer the 50 mm.

Buying Advice

Start with depth rather than tier. If you want one wheelset that handles climbing, descending and everyday road riding, the 50 mm is the safer pick. If your priority is holding speed on flat and rolling terrain, the 65 mm delivers the deeper profile at a claimed pair weight that undercuts many shallower wheels.

Then decide on hardware. The Performance Series already delivers the rim, the spoke system and the engagement improvements at the lower price. The Performance Tyre adds ceramic bearings and titanium hardware for riders who want the lightest possible build and are comfortable paying for it.

Conclusion

The R-Series is a considered update rather than a cosmetic one. The move to 50 mm and 65 mm depths, the wider rim, the serviceable carbon spokes and the quieter hub all address real ownership concerns, and the weight figures are competitive for the depth on offer. The price is high, and the deep option will not suit every rider, but for someone who wants a fast carbon wheelset that can be maintained rather than replaced, this is a genuinely interesting proposition.