With the Sharq GR, Fulcrum is targeting the fast-gravel crowd – long-distance races, rolling tracks and high-volume tyre setups. This 1,550 g carbon wheelset centres on a 30 mm internal rim, an undulating 47 to 52 mm profile and compatibility aimed primarily at 47 to 50 mm tyres. On paper, the brief is straightforward: preserve stability and casing support with generous sections, without abandoning aerodynamic work altogether.

A very wide rim, designed for modern tyres

The standout feature here is the 30 mm internal width. That is a lot for a gravel wheel, and it clearly dictates its intended use. With 47 to 50 mm tyres, the rim should deliver a well-supported casing, with a more stable feel in corners and better control at low pressures.

Fulcrum also claims compatibility starting at 45 mm with certain tyres. In practice, this setup mostly makes sense with the widths most commonly used in performance gravel today, between 45 and 50 mm. Below that, the benefit of this width becomes more questionable.

The choice of a mini-hook bead follows current standards for tubeless setups. The wheel is also listed as 2-Way Fit, therefore compatible with inner tubes and tubeless.

A deep profile for gravel, with a clear stance

At 47 to 52 mm in height, the Sharq GR is not chasing absolute versatility. It sits more on the speed-oriented side of gravel wheels. The wavy profile, already seen elsewhere on the market, aims to better manage airflow and limit side-wind disturbances.

On a gravel bike with wide tyres, any aerodynamic gain must always be put into context. But in fast, rolling events, or on road sections and hardpack, this kind of profile can make sense. In return, it remains a deep wheel, therefore less neutral than a lower-profile pair when conditions get very changeable.

Build and spec: classic Fulcrum seriousness

The rim is FF100 carbon with a matt finish. The build uses 24 spokes front and rear, with A3RO flat steel spokes and 2:1 lacing. Fulcrum sticks to well-known choices in its range here, prioritising stiffness and precision over comfort filtering.

The aluminium hubs use Cup & Cone bearings, a solution Fulcrum continues to stand by. Properly adjusted and maintained, this system can offer great smoothness, but it also requires a bit more attention than sealed cartridge setups for some users.

The wheel is designed for 12×100 mm front and 12×142 mm rear thru-axles, with an AFS disc interface. Freehub options cover the bulk of the market: HG, XDR, N3W and MS12. The system limit is stated at 120 kg.

Our take

The Sharq GR is mainly aimed at riders who go fast on gravel, with wide tyres and a bike built for demanding yet rolling courses. It will likely appeal more to gravel racers than to those looking for a single pair to do it all, from bikepacking to rough terrain to mixed road-trail rides.

What truly sets it apart is the combination of a very generous internal width with a deep profile shaped around aerodynamics. It is not the most consensual gravel wheel on the market, but it has a clear technical direction. At 1,990 €, it sits in an already crowded segment, with both highly specialised carbon wheels and more versatile options.

The main caveat stems precisely from this positioning. A 30 mm internal rim and 47 to 52 mm height are coherent for a very specific use, but not necessarily for all terrains or builds. If your gravel bike mostly runs 40 to 45 mm tyres, or if you primarily seek suppleness and easy handling in all conditions, you may want to look at this pair with some perspective.