BEST Road Bike Wheels 2024 - ENVE vs Zipp vs Princeton vs Roval vs Cadex Carbon Wheel Group Test

[@RyonBeachner]

For those who don’t know; Roval = Specialized Cadex = Giant Oquo = Orbea Zipp = SRAM Hunt = Independent Princeton = Independent ENVE = Independent Notes: Enve previously used DT Swiss and Chris King hubs, not Mavic, and they do not share engineers with Mavic, and have no relation to Mavic except being owned by the same investment firm for a short period while Mavic was circling the drain. Weird choice not including the Reserves and Bontragers given the inclusion of Cadex and Specislized. The Reserves are the closest second to the ENVEs, wide profiles, but hooked, and a fair bit cheaper.

[@roadcc]

We can only review what we get sent, enve did explain how they poached mavic engineers so we’ll take their word for it

[@fookie-fone]

@@roadccyup, the first hookless versions of the ENVE wheels had a Mavic designed hub for their ENVE Alloy hubs. They also offered Chris King and Industry Nine at the time. With the latest iteration of ENVE wheels, they are using a newly developed InnoDrive hub with their newly poached Mavic engineers and dropped Chris King and i9 as optional suppliers.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Unbelievable that you left out Reserve.

[@user-xh7rz6sh7t]

@@petersouthernboy6327See above

[@RyonBeachner]

@@roadcc Interesting. Especially considering the new ENVE system works with a star ratchet that was conveniently released mere moments after DT’s patents expired. 😂

[@neilfox9540]

Did I miss the bit where you actually road tested the wheels?! I was hoping for more data points on comparative speed, climbing and aero capabilities. Disappointing.

[@livelikelarry0017]

Yeah this could’ve been done a lot better

[@eleni2554]

Thanks for this post, I’ll turn off now, another pointless video

[@BikesKomsCRO]

Have they ever done anything of the sort??? They clickbait and never actually give you any god damn data points or runs..this is such a pointless ass video. Always get 50mm deep with big external for aero benefit (28/30mm) for 30mm tyres. Go tubeless. Can do this for about 700£ nowadays. This video sucks.

[@jepulis6674]

How would they road test them and provide meaningful results?

[@BikesKomsCRO]

@@jepulis6674 2 or 3 runs with same setup, power and position. It would give some basic data. Not everyone has access to all these wheels. This videos is useless in current format. 3 efforts up climb, 3 flat efforts. Keep it 220w for example. Very easy

[@rmm305]

DT Swiss should've been on this list comparison.

[@BikesKomsCRO]

What comparison.. Just giving details about wheels with no test runs. I can just go to the company website and read the marketing shit they make up.

[@NeoPayneHK]

vision too!!!!

[@Kanonka28]

What about rim brake wheels ?

[@MrJaycobsen]

I would take the rovals since they are a top performer in every test and hooked

[@dirtroadie4642]

I really like that Roval has said no to hookless

[@imrekovacs3841]

I have the Zipp 454 NSW with 28mm tires on currently. No issues with stability here in BC, Canada. We get lots of windy days. Lot of hill climbing around here too. The wheels have been great for two years so far.

[@OZ-il1nm]

Hi mate , I'm between buying the dtswiss and the zipp nsw454 , what's your experience with the zipps thanks

[@christ6874]

Could you do reviews/ comparisons of the Campagnolo Bora Ultras. They recently updated the Ultras with wider internal widths. And the hubs are absolutely smooth and silent, which I prefer.

[@roadcc]

We’ll see what we can do!

[@oneschance]

I really wanted the new Bora Ultras to be included. Especially since I’d prefer a closed rim bed so I don’t have to use rim tape.

[@mohammadtaufek5529]

I am currently using new C23 Compagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45 …it is smooth & silent……. good for climbing & descending…..so it is ok as compared with my previous Bontrager Aerolus 51 wheel set.

[@oneschance]

@@mohammadtaufek5529 those are the wheels I’m eyeing

[@oneschance]

@@mohammadtaufek5529 do you think they could’ve made it on this list?

[@CAL7A]

I have Cadex 42s and they are sublime. I don't find the carbon spokes to be chattery or harsh at all.

[@kestralrider313]

great vid, my new favorite wheelset are my ENVE 3.4s, but to be honest I wanted 4.5s. I went down because I found some on sale $1000USD off. The 3.4s are amazing, buttery smooth with 29/31 tires, you get speed, comfort and extra cornering grip all in one setup, no compromises other than the hefty hit to the wallet. I know there are some "never hookless" riders out there but I've not had a problem with mine coming off or mounting, they just worked out of the box for me.

[@dmitry.gashko]

"I've not had a problem with mine" that's the reason why people don't like them.

[@pruutus]

+1 for ENVE

[@oliverjacobs8594]

It would be interesting to see how a custom wheel build out would compare. You could get a wheelset several hundred grams lighter at the same depth for about half the price of any of these wheelsets, and it would be interesting to see what if any disadvantages it would have. An example would be Duke baccara slr 48's+extralite hubs+generic aerodynamic carbon spokes coming in at about 1080 grams (1130 w/56mm depth). This would cost roughly 2000 euros, so still certainly in "dream wheel territory".

[@Sator810]

I have had the Rovals for a couple of years now. Done several long distance races on them, the longest 3200km. And they still feel like new. I have used a mix of vanilla 28mm GP 5k with TPU tubes and 32mm STR tubeless. They feel amazing, though when running 32mm with low pressure somewhat negates the stiffness they have and I like. I got them because I was so satisfied with its cousin: Terra CLX; which I got about 25k kms on now. With original bearings still going strong. Considering how good of a condition they still are in, my expectations have gone up to where I will be disappointed if they last less than 100k kms. For comparison I have had bottom end Shimano and Mavic wheels last between 3-7k kms, and no name wheels 1k kms before they were trash.

[@690MBCOMMANDO]

I have most of these wheels and my favorites in the following order: 1) Roval CLX II Team (DT180 hubs with ceramic SINC bearings in team version, differentiated front/rear depth very stable in crosswinds, lightest, stiff and hooked for higher PSI) 2) NSW 454 (great all around but a little heavier than the CLXII Team and hub is good but not as good as DT180s, also deeper front wheel not as good in cross wind) 3) ENVE 4.5 (better in the crosswind than 454's but hubs are not as good as the cognitions)

[@Silidons91]

I'll take my FarSports wheels, 240 hubs, 30mm external/24mm internal, hooked, and weigh only 1270g and cost $1k USD :)

[@rhozjan]

Totally agree. I have several wheels from them. And have as well with their RD270 hub, and it works flawlessly. And my 40mm 24/30 weight 1.135g. Even if lets say the bearings go earlier, one simply change with high end bearings and still saves tons of money.

[@Ehsender]

Which model is the one you mentioned?

[@rhozjan]

@@Ehsender cannot properly answer as my answers keep getting deleted!

[@dmitry.gashko]

@@rhozjan just don't add links

[@rhozjan]

@@dmitry.gashko Even without links it gets deleted

[@GallardoFreak888]

Any hooked wheel is the one I'm going for. I don't want to deal with the hookless rim rim disaster that it is.

[@JeffreyThistle]

Hookless is a deal breaker for me, never seen so many tire and wheel related issues as I did in professional cycling this year.

[@RyonBeachner]

@@JeffreyThistle Two? You saw two. 😂

[@JeffreyThistle]

@@RyonBeachner you could make a 5-minute video just with the tire and wheel related issues in the tour this year

[@jwfriar]

I think it’s a little overblown. I kinda expect in 3 years nobody will have hooked wheels that are new

[@StopTheRot]

@@jwfriarlol

[@StopTheRot]

@@jwfriarso, the end of clinchers? That’s hilarious. I ride with a club that has 460 members and I can honestly say that only 10-20% of people are on tubeless. Many of the same people have embraced tubeless for CX racing. It just doesn’t work on the road.

[@hilarioborges5806]

It would be interesting to know in which pressure were you running those wheels and if that has anything to do with your conclusions.

[@Z-u-m-a]

Quite liked the noisy hubs in my new wheels wheels at first but just find it irritating now. Older ones suddenly feel peaceful. Definitely a factor if choosing any others... If not at these prices!

[@wagj16]

Please, if you can and have the oportunity, test dt swiss arc dicut 38,50 and 62 mm deep and how they perform between themselves and against those wheelsets, Reserves and Roval CLX Team. And would like to ask which of them you would use at a sportive like Tour des Station 1000, which of them helps most to at least cross the finish line.

[@mruedar]

Dt Swiss all day, all night. We are sitting on a time bomb with this Hookless trend.

[@Tommy31416]

How could you not have the Bora Ultra WTO 45 C23’s included? Campagnolo wheels are still the best by miles - and are absolutely bombproof

[@patiorio1538]

Exactly, Campagnolo is way better than Zip or any the shit he advertised. Especially ultra ceramic Bearing .

[@pj9375]

Cadex 🎉 that sounds 🤠

[@rafacycle]

I did with ck hubs and I am very happy. However one had to go for warranty because of strange noise. No problems with replacing anyway so yes best wheels.

[@rirdlaer3560]

I’d pick the widest (OD) wheels with hooks. I’m done with tubeless so hooks is a must.

[@kidShibuya]

No, if I am spending 3K on a wheelset I want it to shut the f up and let me ride in peace. Also no, packing the hub with grease doesn't solve the sound issue. I did this with my DT Swiss hub and it was blissfully quiet.... For around 30 mins.

[@MediaProConcept]

Just don’t stop peddling 😂

[@scottwatson7844]

@@MediaProConceptthat’s what I do when ever I approach anyone as mine are ridiculously loud.

[@Jinisanickname]

I love my ENVE 4.5 SES (previous generation hub) but I’m also a fan of Reserve and they have the best warranty. Have the 40 | 44 GR on my gravel bike.

[@JFomo]

I have both sets of zipp Firecrest and NSWs. I bought them purely for their price (at the time on sale), low weight, and sexy looks 😍 They seem fast enough for my legs.

[@lee1210mk2]

Zipp will always be number one,........because of their solid warranty!

[@shaun_evox]

4.5 Enve's 👌😎

[@samsearle4433]

I bought some Hunt limitless and they are awesome. Cake with cermaic speed bearings. Probably the nest wheels around at that price.

[@littlevo9]

J’ai choisi les Roval rapide clx2 et ne regrette pas ,ce sont de véritables bombes. Je n’est jamais roulé une roue aussi aérodynamique,vous transpercez le vent de face avec ces roues,mes vitesses sur le plat ont augmenté significativement le jour où je les ai eu. Je les ai essayé sur un orca m30 à 2000€ pour voir ce que ça donnait sur un vélo « petit budget » immédiatement le vélo était sensationnel vraiment. J’aimerais avoir quand même une comparaison avec les DTswiss/swiss side 62mm arc 1100 qui ont été une grosse hésitation,certe elles sont moins large etc mais il paraît qu’on peu difficilement faire mieux en rendement.

[@joeboxer82is]

Should have added No.6 Wheelset. This brand will surprise u. The specs are top notch!

[@stevocanuck]

Cadex is the best on the list

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

Missing the excellent Reserve wheelsets that are now stock on the Cannondale LAB71 , hooked, light, aero, unlimited weight limit, and lifetime warranty.

[@n22pdf]

Can you do another couple of vids for the next price brackets down etc it would also be great to see custom built wheels for example Borg 50 or similar. Pete 🚴🏻👍

[@roadcc]

We’ll see if we can get some in! Sounds like a plan

[@sanderdeboer5888]

Reserve wheels en DT swiss wheels i would like to see , next time😊

[@roadcc]

We’ll get on it!

[@morrisizing]

Pogacar still used the 28 TT's in the important stages in Mountains. Take a look at the yellow stickered Colnago he used once he got Yellow.

[@morrisizing]

Ps the 105 ratio is baseline figure but not a rule. Aerodynamist Paul Ballard talks about this not always being true.

[@batfed]

Where’s Campagnolo 👀?

[@markj.a351]

The cheque didn’t clear in time

[@saracen888]

Stuck in the 90’s

[@moritzorama]

@@saracen888😂 good one

[@l.d.t.6327]

@@markj.a351not that I mind they aren’t included, but they’re cheaper than ENVE and CADEX over here in Europe.

[@mohammadtaufek5529]

Pro’s not using them….

[@PaulioNZ]

Would you consider any of those wheels if they were running lightweight Berd spokes which give you a lot more compliance?

[@MrTallAndy]

Scope Artech 6 not available?

[@roadcc]

We’ve not enough miles on them yet to draw conclusions I’m afraid

[@michaeldewing1904]

was this tested on different frames and group sets or the same each time.?

[@theinstigatorr]

Would have liked to see Syncros Capital SL Aero as well

[@julianallen515]

I would have liked to see SwissSide Hadrons in the test. Was that a diliberate omission, if so why, or were you unable to get a pair?

[@Nucz523]

No way those Princeton weigh that much w a tactic 01 hubs yet u put the price of Princeton w a tactic 01 hubs

[@tomasiskooo]

Yup. My Princeton Wake 6560 with tactic TR01 hub weigh 1390g. These 4550 weigh around 1275g.

[@j3bu5dr1f7s]

Two glaring omissions, Reserve and Syncros. The Syncros Capitol SL in particular are supposed to be superlative

[@scott5088]

Sorry but my dream wheels are campagnolo bora wto45.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

That's a good one!

[@marcinstyle85]

Stay with hooked ,stay safe....

[@TiexinGuo]

If you are gonna decide which wheel is the best simply by talking instead of testing, why not just say "I like this one because I don't like the others so it's the best", period.

[@roadcc]

Next video: 6 months of riding, no talking, just using wheels

[@suhdud4646]

Seeing the Cadex wheels having open ended spoke retention on the hub, with all the current buzz around a case or two of Chinese wheels delacing and the cause for concern around that hub design choice. If it was such an issue, I doubt Giant (Cadex) would have opted for that route on their flagship wheel set.

[@abdelmajidhassane9979]

I rode dt-swiss ARC1100 for 3 years, and this year i bought a set of Newmen Vonoa for 1200 euro. They're second to none and they handle crosswind better than my dt swiss. Btw, stay away from hookless, they're not meant for road bike, the specular design of the rim is a steady danger under your saddle.

[@rhozjan]

Do you ride the new model? Which size? 49/54? I assume with steel spokes when you said the price? How are they with acceleration from slow speed?

[@abdelmajidhassane9979]

They're the A.49/54 allround Vonoa. The vonoa come only with carbon spokes and they're stiffer than my previous Arc 1100, when they were offered with 30%off I couldn't resist. The have a better acceleration, their weight of only 1300g (real 1305g) really paid off during acceleration.

[@rhozjan]

@@abdelmajidhassane9979 excellent. You really got a good deal, as these wheels are just entering the market, and no discounts yet on several online shops. Where did you buy them?

[@abdelmajidhassane9979]

@@rhozjan local dealer in Munich.

[@runbymmkk]

Even the the arrows pointing to the top 3 lightest wheelsets were wrong (3m40s mark).

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

Pog ran 30s because you need a minimum of 29mm to match the 25mm internal width for stupid hookless wheels

[@joekawasaki]

Aren't all the wheels he's sponsored to run hookless? Maybe the wider tires were faster on those roads. It's my understanding that unless on a velodrome, the rolling resistance on the wider tires saves more watts than the aero benifit of the skinny ones.

[@dominickbrookes5103]

Own the cadex, love them. Owned enve, loved them too

[@scottwatson7844]

I’ve got the Cadex AR which as the name suggests is there gravel/all road wheels. They are great but far too loud in my opinion.

[@toycreator]

i have the enve 3.4, Princeton 4550 light weight hubs(1.2kg), Cadex, Roval(2019) . Enve by far the best. may be because i ride on hilly places also my ftp is below 4w/kg. But No6 45/50 is lighter under 1.2kg, carbon spoke, wider internal so get u wider tyre lower pressure , hooked , fully closed internal... fast smooth responsive wheels.

[@RyonBeachner]

@@toycreator Curious to see more people get their hands on the No. 6 wheels. They seem nice, but the rear wheel internal width seems like such a strange choice.

[@ks-vq5er]

I have Roval CL2 and have no complaint at all but I really wonder whether it is worth upgrading to CLX2 or not…

[@Keschoo]

4:13 you should link to those recommendations

[@simonwarmer8777]

4.5’s confirmed ✅

[@Skaughtto]

Any chance you'll review the Hun Sustain 42 wheelset in the future?

[@83dsvhtubb]

Please test each wheelset and give us the data!

[@markrushton1516]

I'm pretty sure whatever I use I will not be faster. But for looks and wheel enve (see what I did there) I would have Bora Ultras.

[@mrm95]

The wheels with the currently best specs at least are the Scope Artech 6. 65 mm at 1244g. That is the best combination of aero and weight. There are shallower options as well for those not wanting to go with 65 mm. They are also very expensive. The Syncros (Scott) Capital SL also have better specs. Both are not even brand new. So this entire review is rather immediately dated to put it mildly.

[@liquidSpin]

The Syncros Capital SL's are the best.

[@roadcc]

Just got a set in for review!

[@Roadiemtb]

Did you do a speed test? Coming later?

[@kolerezegnee3620]

you guys missed the new Scope Artech series, lighter than all of these while being 60mm and having a good wide profile.

[@roadcc]

We have a set on their way! Looking forwards to putting them through their paces

[@ColoCX]

3:06 that's a solid rim bed?

[@Vitone22]

Campagnolo and their CULT bearings are some of the best wheels.

[@brittle1]

which is best? the answer, as usual, should be "it depends"

[@exoduslifestyle1]

Reynolds bl60 pro🎉

[@czts4778]

Enve or Roval. Roval for hooked.

[@Velozrocks]

Where are the campagnolo wheels?

[@123oner2]

Good enough for Podgy....

[@songjoseph3314]

i vote for my aerous RSL

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Reserve Turbulent Aero with DT 180 hubs. I feel like Enve was better with Chris King hubs. Made them special.

[@roadcc]

Reserve wheels requested 🫡

[@TnFruit]

No Hunt sound check?

[@georgemicolta2130]

Nice content brother would you consider having or testing LIGHTWEIGHT MEILENSTEIN wheel set thank you

[@oneschance]

😮😮😮

[@Mengina]

no need, everbody knows that lightweights are garbage wheels

[@angelortiz353]

Test the crw craft wheels best wheels right now and thats my opinion but yea give them a test

[@growproteas1148]

i just ordered the 50/60 -

[@angelortiz353]

@@growproteas1148 you are going to love them

[@jasonm1974]

What about Boyd's?

[@mikesuarez9780]

So where is the video on the cheaper wheels with little compromise?

[@gerardsole440]

where is reserve? probably one of the bests wheels i've ever used

[@pgueneau1]

Bonjour. Super vidéo. Pourquoi ne pas avoir inclus dans votre test les dernières Campagnolo BORA ULTRA WTO C23. Elles pèsent 1318 grammes (les miennes) et ont des roulements (toujours pour moi) inégalés. Bravo encore pour votre travail.

[@jou3708]

Hi! Is it weight on 35 or 45mm deep wheels? Also, how wide are they in widest point? Thanks!

[@Freestyler913]

Salut, est ce que tu recommanderai les bora pour des longues sorties ? Elles sont pas trop tape-cul ?

[@pgueneau1]

@@jou3708hello.

[@pgueneau1]

@@jou3708hello. 45 mm et 31 au point le plus large.

[@pgueneau1]

@@Freestyler913

[@andreemurray7039]

Over priced over rated wind space are good and cheaper

[@CupheadAleks]

Probably one of the worst comparison tests I've ever seen. This is just opinion based off one person. And he just bats off every wheel because he rides Rovals. No data, no comparison with speed, doesn't mention how they "feel". Just a waste of time

[@Bikes-guitars]

Personally I think the Roval Rapide CL2 is hard to beat, £1000 less than the CLX and only weighs 60 grams more, and it’s the same rim which is the rotating mass that matters!

[@roadcc]

Absolutely!

[@rli6951]

where are the WTO ULTRAS?

[@danielsotelo3942]

All these current carbon dream wheels are about to become OBSOLETE, these new wheels will feature an all new wheel technology. Stay tuned...

[@silverburn55]

Quiet hubs ftw.

[@willmeteora]

Pleasae try a set of CRW 5060 before concluding that ENVE is the best.

[@vincefava7929]

Campagnolo

[@maximkrivov]

Enve

[@polytoddd3d]

"money no object"......so where are the Lightweight Obermayer wheels?😆

[@jou3708]

Cos they are jewelry to show off, not road wheelset. They would be worst in this comparison.

[@polytoddd3d]

@@jou3708 With all due respect, I would have preferred to find that information based on a comparison and review, rather than from a random anonymous poster who may be stating opinion with no statistics to back it up.

[@danielpichkar]

Let’s see the best of the rest!? What you would get for yourself!

[@roadcc]

Video coming soon! Light bicycle are currently on test

[@Chuckaluck78]

I wouldn't pay for any of these POS's. Fortunately, I'm not that stupid. I bought a pair of hand built Mercury aluminum wheels (made in Utah) for less than 500 bucks (including shipping) that weigh just a hair over 1500 grams. They have been bulletproof! I put them on my adventure bike and have done everything from bike packing to steep singletrack to long road rides on rough tarmac. I've never had to true them yet! Plus they'll never delaminate because they're not carbon fiber which takes a lot more energy to make and can't be recycled unlike aluminum which can be recycled forever.

[@TenSapphires]

Everybody is quoting 105 rule like it is gospel. It's not, like most things in aerodynamics - it depends!

[@RyonBeachner]

@@TenSapphires And Josh from Silca who coined it has literally said it didn’t prove to be true under further scrutiny.

[@aboomination897]

I completely lost any interest after the prices were revealed.

[@mortlow6688]

winspace, farsports, elite, dt swiss... ????

[@macklewis4882]

Anybody heard of Black INC?

[@dtdcampbell]

This needs an obvious matchup for part 2 ENVE (Tadej) vs Reserve (Jonas)

[@roadcc]

Sounds like a plan!

[@jscycles1]

roval all day,hooked ftw

[@pierrestaub8628]

You should have test new Rovals, best of the best to my mind

[@roadcc]

The Team or the CLX ii? We’d love to get a set of the team ones but they’re all gone!

[@pierrestaub8628]

Clx 2 tubeless they are wider not ?

[@彦根のおっさん]

安価なスーパーチームのカーボンホイールもテストして欲しいですね。