EliteWheels Rim Brake Carbon Wheels: Ride Test and Evaluation!

[@thegoodwheel]

These are the mixed depth 40 front 50 rear. Somehow that bit of info got left out in editing🤔... Definitely firing my editor. Thanks for watching everyone 🙏🏾

[@anthonycattouse1841]

Can I buy them off you let me know

[@anthonycattouse1841]

I m just started to build my bike be back soon could use those

[@Nicky458itl]

test on elite drive pad or campy pad or black prince pad?

[@YetAnotherAdventure]

"I'm not an wheel builder, a mechanic, an engineer... what i am is a cyclist" Love this... down to earth. You've been around long enough to recognize is this a good product or not. appreciate you Lu!lll

[@thegoodwheel]

Absolutely Abel😊 Definitely staying in my lane👍🏾 Thanks for watching

[@mikeperry6664]

Great review. I'm still holding onto my Rim Brakes too. I hope all who do get the message across to manufactures that Rim brakes have a place don't throw us overboard.

[@thegoodwheel]

Indeed!

[@adccars359]

Keep the rim brake reviews coming.

[@thegoodwheel]

As long as they send them... I'll keep doing them👍🏾

[@klein-concept]

Was really happy to see this video come up and to hear your thoughs as an experienced rider on these. Thanks a lot. I run a 50mm Drive set on my Daccrodi rim bike, a 60mm set of their cheaper Elitewheels line on my rim brake Scapin and also a 50mm disc set on my Standert. I have to say i love them all. Of course braking in carbon and rim in heavy rain is always a challage but then im also barely riding in these conditions. They look great, ride amazing and the price is very competitive.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you Michael. I am going to run them as my primary set up. I am looking forward to doing updates!👍🏾

[@chrismoore-keish7476]

Luis, you never disappoint on the evaluations you offer. I too ride with rim breaks and the Drive carbon wheels and love them. Thanks for your video and I hope to see you this year at the One Love Ride in ATL.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks you! I should definitely be there👍🏾

[@georgehagstrom4022]

Would love more reviews of carbon rim brake wheels, especially looking at braking performance. I have heard carbon brake tracks have improved a ton but few are reviewing them as so many are focused on disc

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you. I hope to get my hands on more of them to feature on the channel👍🏾

[@dinodaniel2237]

Yes Luis , looking for more long term evaluation of these wheels if possible. Looking forward to your next video. All the best! STEEL IS REAL

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for watching. There will be a follow up eventually 👍🏾

[@truthseeker8483]

TPU tubes are great aren't they......one of the best upgrades I have made to my rim brake bike

[@thegoodwheel]

Incredibly so. They are way better to deal with than latex.

[@davidide1525]

Great review! And yes , keep the rim brake , mechanical shifting reviews coming. There are a lot of us out here and we are keeping our rim brake bikes ! Thanks, Dave

[@StanEby1]

My analysis of your analysis is that it is a critical success. You said it all, and you said it well. 😊

[@thegoodwheel]

Ha ha, thank you Stan👍🏾

[@BrianMcDonald]

I've had very good experiences with elitewheels, and I have a long term plan to make a neo-retro rim brake bike with which I would definitely go with the Drive 40V wheels.

[@thegoodwheel]

Hi Brian. I am looking forward to obtaining similar results👍🏾

[@BrianMcDonald]

I also had good experiences with their non-Drive value priced rim brake wheelsets. They are definitely on the heavier side, but they have stayed true and the hubs have remained smooth despite really beating them up and really not babying them at all year round.

[@chinnianphong]

My first pair of carbon hoops were exactly these in 50mm. Rides fantastic, very stiff, accelerates well, all in all punches way above its weight (literally) for its price. Blows all the big name carbon wheel brands out of the water.

[@thegoodwheel]

Nice! Thanks for sharing your experience

[@lamonthall9949]

Great review! I am old school also with my rim brakes. I have the same wheels and have been thoroughly impressed with my set. Great buy!

[@thegoodwheel]

That is so good to hear! Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

I have the Swiss stop black Prince brake pads on my zip wheels. These are the very first replacement pads after wearing out the original pads that came with the wheel set that I bought years ago and they stop really good !

[@1carusjohn32]

That's a fair, good review. I think £1000/$1200 dollars is a fair price to pay for a set of performance wheels. Some people may think that is a ridiculous amount to spend on bike wheels unless you are some sort of pro rider, but a quality set of wheels can transform a bike and a ride. I invested last year in something similar and was almost taken aback by the way these carbon spoked wheels transfer power At first you think it is a mental bias but it doesn't go away even after a year of riding them. I opted for 50s front and back, again astonishing how the newer designs, (paired with the right tyre), are less affected by crosswinds etc. (Much less so than my older 40mm rims). The comfort thing was always going to be a question, how does this additional stiffness offer any compliance? Miraculously they seem to deliver there as well. (Remember, in general the spokes above the axel are in tension hanging the the axel from the upper part of the wheel rim, super stiff, but those below the axel are in compression so they can flex.) Yep, you seem to be able to eat your cake and keep it with these newer designs. At 40-50mm you start to have a wheel that can pick up a lot of speed compared to a standard wheel, they probably add 2mph to what would be a 17 or 18 mph effort on standard rims. I don't know if it is this inherent speed that comes with deeper rims, but somehow when you ride into a rise/hill at pace they carry so much speed, you keep expecting to slow down but they just keep going. It is great that Elite and others are producing this quality of work for this price point. Sure there will be better wheels out there but for a very marginal gain at a not so marginal price point. The only other thing I would consider is servicing, the need for special tools and are the bearings readily available standard sizes. Wheels should be easy to self service.(And well worth the time investment)

[@montrose252]

I have Elite Drive 50V. I LOVE them! I bought the extra-rigid rather than the ultralight ones. It's like Campag or Corima for half the price!

[@thegoodwheel]

Nice! Thanks for sharing your experience 👍🏾

[@bonbonflippers4298]

My only rim brake bike has wheels from aliexpress that are basically superteam rims with the exact same type and design as your elite drive brake surface! Let me tell you the braking performance is sharp and strong! The rims are stiff and after riding it down upderpasses with cracks and bumps feel confident of its robustness. I just feel like I am too heavy for carbon spokes when i go through multiple underpass with cracks so I will stick to steel spokes. If my routes didnt have steep dips with cracks I definitely might buy a carbon spoke wheelset.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing. I have heard very good things about Superteams as well. 👍🏾

[@justyman73]

Do you have a link for your wheels please.

[@seanism2011]

I bought some elite drive 45 carbon spokes last year, great wheels. Super light.

[@thegoodwheel]

Nice! Thanks for sharing👍🏾

[@jaytronzero]

I just put the Drive50's on my CAAD10 and loooove them!

[@joaobaccarin5552]

I really like your reviews! Thanks for all the effort in recording all these tests. Greetings from Brazil! ✌️

[@thegoodwheel]

Obrigado! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@andylarham5251]

Rim brakes on road bikes is the only way for me. Bought a pair of fsa k force 50mm full carbon tubular wheels with rubino pro tyres with ceramic bearings for £300.00 late last year on ebay. Only 1350 grams. Seem to be going back to tubs. Keep up the gd work👍

[@klpinvestments]

Just ordered an Elite carbon wheelset for my rim brake Giant Contend aluminum road bike. Also ordered a carbon handlebar and full ultegra groupset. My Giant Contend be an entirely different bike. Thanks for the review.

[@thegoodwheel]

@@klpinvestments Nice! Congrats on the upgrades👍🏾

[@eto2352]

Can confirm they are great wheels. Only real choices are coming from Elite, Farsports and other Chinese brands for modern rim brakes. One area where new bike parts are actually far cheaper and a better product than they were 10 years ago.

[@thegoodwheel]

It's interesting how that market has developed through persistent development. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@colnagog6026]

Campy WTOs come in rim brake...pricey, but available, and often on sale.

[@damienwebster2527]

I deeply appreciate this video. I still ride a carbon rim brake bike. I am looking to purchase a carbon wheelset but most of the reviews for new wheels are for the disc brake version. Please do more of these! I’m leaning towards the Superteam all carbon ultra wheelset but I’m iffy about the brake track. I’ll consider these elites.

[@SprayIgniteBoom]

Ordered new to me Bora Ultra 50 tubular rim brakes. Boom 💥 sauce!!

[@thegoodwheel]

👍🏾

[@ericheim1181]

I’m considering another wheel set to complement my Campy Bora wheels . Thanks for good comments on this attractive alternative.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you for watching 👍🏾

[@skinnie88]

Thanks for this opinion. Good to see brands supporting rim brake. Mavic is doing it also! I would like to have a more direct to direct comparison with the bora’s. Both on braking and riding quality in same conditions (tyre, tube and pressure). Regarding your feeling on the wind I believe it is due to your bora’s being the “old” ones based on naca profile. The bora wto’s have a more round profile and don’t move with the wind.

[@thegoodwheel]

Good suggestion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts👍🏾

[@bklyncyclist]

Excellent review. I'm still riding my 2005 Kuota Kredo with Chorus 10 and have been looking at these myself, which of course is why YT had your video on my feed. My only concern is the space at the rear brake bridge. It'll be tight with the 28mm external rim width, and I may still have to use 25mm tires. I have it set up now 25 rear 28 fr. I also still prefer higher pressure, I haven't bought into the lower pressure is better argument and I just find it feels mushy.

[@daviddjerassi]

Loved the very honest review 15% discount is very good above the norm i think what a great looking set of wheels please do more reviews we know they will be honest and factual keep safe Luis Sir.

[@thegoodwheel]

Hi David! Thanks Sir. I appreciate your feedback 🙏🏾

[@lesliereissner4711]

This was really interesting, particularly for someone like me with 11 bikes--all of which are rim brake equipped! I had read negative things about carbon clincher wheelsets for rim brakes, either delaminating or having very poor braking performance, especially in the wet. In addition to the extra spokes and QRs, does the package come with specific brake pads for these? Keep up the good work, Luis, as not all of us need to chase after the market but are happy with our current rides.

[@thegoodwheel]

Hi there! As a courtesy, they did send me a set of generic carbon pads that I did not use. They offer the Swiss-Stop Black Prince on their website. I already had a set of those, so I just kept them in place. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@timtaylor9590]

I had mine for over a year, no problems thus far. If i get another year or two even ill be happy because I paid less than 1k for em.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for sharing your experience 👍🏾

[@raymondherrick1942]

Great review & shop talk discussion love it, keep them coming😎☮️

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you Raymond👍🏾

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

Very nice review, I’m so impressed with all the carbon wheels that have come on the scene in the past 11 years so it would be nice to do a baseline benchmark kind of test that is : 25 mm Continental GP 5000 with let’s just say the Continental race light tubes installed. that’s what I’m riding with , most bikes manufactured over the years probably don’t have any more clearance than a 25 or 26 mm Max , without rubbing on the frame I wish I could go with larger tires, but that would have to be another bike which I’m not buying.

[@АндрейЗаполянский-э7о]

Great review! Thank you for your help with making of decision and certainly a discount 🤝👍

[@thegoodwheel]

Awesome! Glad the video helped👍🏾

[@colnagog6026]

Waited too long to scoop up a pair of Campy WTOs on discount, and haven't seen them available for a little while. I was about to pull the trigger on some Elite "Marvels" today, for my Colnagos, after remembering they sponsor GCN now. I'm too skeptical to run carbon spokes, but glad you like them. Shame your discount code doesn't work for the Marvels.

[@thegoodwheel]

I had a friend that missed out on those as well. I am looking forward to see how they hold up. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@FRANKIEJ360]

Excellent review ! Especially the wind .

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you Frankie👍🏾

[@downlaw]

I like rim brakes but new bike prices are far too high. Thanks for this one. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@angela-onesroman8873]

Great review, looking to get a set, I already own a set of 2023 Lun Hyper R45 wheels and i absolutely love them. However they have gone up in price since I've purchased them, i also run tpu tubes and at the price of the ridenow tubes there is no reason to run anything else as far as tubes, not even latex IMO.

[@bb-r5710]

Yes, I enjoyed the review of the wheels. ❤❤

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you🙏🏾 I really appreciate that👍🏾

[@josediaspinto7438]

Luis, two things were left out of your review: braking performance in the wet and in a descent. Curious to know how they compare to the Campagnolo Bora Ultra you have, albeit being a tubular version.

[@Pmor75]

Cool that you can ride a 30mm tyres on a rim brake bike!

[@thegoodwheel]

It barely fits but it really feels great 👍🏾

[@Pmor75]

@@thegoodwheel my Litespeed Ultimate only accepts 25mm wide tyres, it sucks. The bike is great but very limited on that department....

[@jeremynorth]

I'm a big fan of rim brakes. Last year I upgraded my bike with Super Record 12 mechanical and those brakes are one of its best features. If I lived in the USA I'd definitely be looking to buy these wheels but the UK import duty & VAT would push the price too high. A real pity

[@ivankrsnik9640]

Great review. Do you have some mountains or hills where you can test descending, but real stuff? More than 10%, long and techical? Tried many combinations of carbon wheels and pads, they all squeaked on heavy breaking. (shimano, swiss stop black and yellow...)

[@STX340]

Luis, I’m also trying to stay true to my rim brake. Question how did you managed to run 30mm tires with Campagnolo brakes? I usually run 28 and I don’t have much clearance.

[@thegoodwheel]

The direct mount brakes give a bit more clearance... however, they are tight. I have just switched to running 28s with no discernable difference.

[@Eureeka13]

Great review. I'd love to upgrade my still-beautiful 2010 Pinarello, but I use it to ride some solid cimbs/descents (as much as 7 miles at ~8% average grade) and in some hot conditions (90F or even a bit more some days). I use good braking technique but am still concerned about heat affecting the wheel in those conditions. I get you're not in a mountainous area, but did you have a chance to really test the how they handle heat? Thanks!

[@anthonyharris483]

Carbon rim and spokes. I'd be cautious with that combo.

[@thegoodwheel]

👍🏾

[@robertthomson4042]

Have you tried latex tubes with this wheelset? My experience is that latex makes a wheelset even more compliant!

[@thegoodwheel]

I originally ran latex with this tire on a different rim. So far, I am enjoying the TPUs more.

[@IronHorsey3]

@@thegoodwheel - What type of pressure are you applying when using a TPU? I have them but not installed yet and have been trying to assess better. Nice review on these noting the better braking surface!

[@kennethward9530]

Nice review-whose brake pads were you using, Campy carbon compatible or some other brand?

[@thegoodwheel]

The SwissStop Black Prince pads. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@bengt_axle]

How confident would you feel coming down a mountain pass with lots of braking? Have you done any test where you do a lot of braking and put your finger on the brake track to see how much heat is produced and how it is dissipated? I think the thing to keep in mind is that with carbon, the material around the hook has to be able to resist heat, bumps and other stresses. With aluminum it is OK because it so strong, it can dent and alloy is a good dissipator of heat. But with carbon, when the resin gets heated up, there can be weakness and delamination -- especially around the thin hook. This is why carbon manufacturers are so interested in hookless. If they can get a reliable tire--rim combination, it will make the rim much more resistant to damage, closer to a tubular that can be ridden on when flat, because there will be no thin area for the hook.

[@bengt_axle]

Any special brake pads required or shipped with the product?

[@thegoodwheel]

I would be willing to try it. Confidence would be determined by how they do, but I would give it a go. They included a set of carbon specific pads as a courtesy to me, but I am using a set of Swiss Stop Black Prince pads.

[@bengt_axle]

@@thegoodwheelIf you have a handheld infrared thermometer, that could give you some objective evidence. You could do a comparison with alloy and carbon fibre wheelsets.

[@twowheelsandcroissant]

hi Luis, great review btw.. I am wondering what's your tire clearance for your Colnago? Im planning to get one for my Trek Emonda 2017 rim, but I'm worried how it wont fit

[@thegoodwheel]

Hi there. Thanks for watching. I can get 30s in there, but it's very tight so I run 28s.

[@allhill]

awesome review! is that colnago v3rs rim brake?

[@thegoodwheel]

Yes it is!

[@TheCyclesport]

Product manual we don't read that LOL but I am doing a review of the product. hehe At least take a glance at the product manual for your own knowledge's sake. Yet, that was a good review!!

[@thegoodwheel]

Admittedly, I did glance👍🏾

[@cgoroo]

1,305grams for which mixed combination? thx!

[@thegoodwheel]

40 front 50 rear. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@williamjewett5068]

I think I just found my rim brake wheels to match my Time VXS retro build

[@savagepro9060]

For some security reason, I prefer carbon tubulars rims over clinchers!

[@thegoodwheel]

I fully understand... and structurally I am there with you. But, seeing as how the tech has improved, I wanted to see how they have advanced. I am running them HARD🙃

[@terrillford7784]

Love my elite Wheels

[@thegoodwheel]

Hey Terril. How long have you had them?

[@pattencycling]

Nice 👍🏿 video bro

[@TheXiamenCyclingFeed]

Good video! Loved your CAAD10 video too, convinced me to buy one, video of the bike is on my channel

[@thegoodwheel]

Nice! I'll check it out. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@downlaw]

Are you going to try the rims tubeless?

[@Omnis2]

4:26 Unless you put my big ass on them. 😂

[@gregbruen9425]

What rim brake wheels are you running currently on your personal bike? Aluminum?

[@thegoodwheel]

Hi Greg. I am running the Elite Drive on one, Campagnolo Bora Tubular and Roval Rapid CLX60 Tubular on my other two bikes.

[@am7jeremy]

Now do the wheels brake like Campagnolo AC3?

[@OtesOtesOtes]

Would like to know the RIM weight on the 40V depth. Not system weight including hub and spokes. Probably 450-550 grams, par for the course. If they were exceptionally light the set would weigh less and they'd probably mention it. Looking to build a set with the Astral Solstice eventually.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thanks for watching. There were the 40 front 50 rear. I can't imagine there would too big of a difference 👍🏾

[@arthurreyes2632]

What size are these wheels? Width? Thanks

[@thegoodwheel]

They are 40 front 50 rear. Width is 28. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@Chris._P._Bacon]

Elite didn't include brake pads?

[@xshonen_]

this is black decal?

[@andresgizmos1271]

Are these the 40mm or 50mm version?

[@thegoodwheel]

Yes, they are. I accidentally omitted that while editing. It is now pinned. Thanks for watching 👍🏾

[@savagepro9060]

Haters: Rim brake technology is DYING! Rim Brake Technology: 🤣😂😅😆😁😄 Rim Brake Users: Haters:

[@truthseeker8483]

😅

[@thegoodwheel]

Truthy... very truthy🍻

[@truthseeker8483]

@@thegoodwheel

[@Godspeed961]

For me the price is huge and the advantages are very little. how much faster i will climb on 7.0% 5.0km seg? I was about to buy these wheels but didnt. For now i spend 10 euro for another component and already become faster on hills and flats . For sure its testing period but iam sure i will see more ... :D

[@thegoodwheel]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your thoughts👍🏾

[@Godspeed961]

@@thegoodwheel Drive 40D and Fulcrum Racing Zero alu was my favourites. I pull the trigger for Drives but regret it and ask for refund :D

[@afonsograde5531]

If you dont brake much, use latex tubes for confort.

[@thegoodwheel]

Thank you👍🏾

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

I have a fixed gear bike as seen in my profile picture. But I also ride a carbon fiber 11 speed bike with zip wheels . so are you saying that if we don’t brake much they’ll be less heat? Absorbed into the inner tubes.? Maybe I could run some good latex tubes in my fixed gear bike since I don’t have brakes at all except my legs 😮

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

I am a simp for ceramic bearings

[@thegoodwheel]

👍🏾

[@returnofthenative]

No thanks!

[@thegoodwheel]

👍🏾

[@luism9150]

Not real carbon Rims.

[@tommyfreckmann6857]

Elaborate?

[@laurenceraygatchalian6108]

hello, does it make the cool laser sound while braking just like bora ac3s? thanks

[@thegoodwheel]

No not really. It is actually very quiet so far