Premium Chinese wheels, 2 YEARS later… Elitewheels Drive 50D

[@galenkehler]

That 50/50 😂😂😂 Truly one mustache to rule them all❤

[@AG-el6vt]

The halfstache deserves its own like.

[@VSUKWizard]

🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖

[@hockysa]

😂😂😂😂 omg the transition to gravel and road cyclist 🤣🤣🤣 dying

[@KamikazeCommie501]

I'm glad I missed the poll because I might've swayed it and this result is better than I could've ever imagined.

[@HoshinoMirai]

I am so distracted by the asymmetric mustache

[@qwertyazerty2137]

Massive kudos and a 🥖 for shooting the entire show with this halfstache. It's absolutely hilarious 😄

[@ridingflats]

Would be cool to see a long review of the cheaper wheelset they make, see how they stack up for $600.

[@ThomasPrenner]

Great content, as always 🥖! I've been using the 50D for around 1.5 years now with 10.600 km on it and without a single issue. They also sold me a version without any decals, which I really appreciate...

[@georgepepper5993]

Luke, I purchased the same wheels about two months after You. I had a tubeless tire blow off the rim while I was riding it. There are serval possible causes of the failure on my side and Elite side of the failure. I noticed that the rim tape that Elite uses is two wide for the rim bed and went up the inner wall of the rim close to the rim hook. Their rim tape is also not traditional rim tape and looks like electronic masking tape that does not stretch. Elite customer service was bad, they just wanted to sell me a new front wheel. Great video thanks for the review.

[@leonmarshall4383]

The semi mustache 😂😂😂 Ok now that's funny right there. Keep up the good work.

[@Fatbutnotflat]

Even without sound i can perfectly hear Luke's voice , in my head. Even until the bonus bit. Keep up the good work! The stache is gold.

[@suhdud4646]

I’ve got a set of the Helix 68Ds and they’re fantastic. One thing overlooked regarding patent, Qvist stated they have never outsourced their manufacturing meaning that the Drive Helix hub is a unique design to Elite. It may resemble similarly designed elements but so does every single bicycle in the world having two wheels. You don’t see brands during brands because their wheels do the same as the next brand.

[@kubackjeee]

qvist just wanted some fame. No one have heard of them before. Elite wheels have their own r&d and own factory unlike most of the brands. They don't need to copy a small garage company from Germany that they've never heard of.

[@stuartdryer1352]

I like mine. But I had some issues with bearings on the rear wheel very early on. They replaced them for free, no problems since.

[@kpizzle1985]

That's so much better than the response I got from Scribe when both wheels fell apart after 10 months. They offered me 40% off a new set, after 2 months of quoting the sales of goods act I finally got a refund!

[@doncrescas]

Nice touch with the split color shirt to match the half stache. Bravo.

[@TaichoCyclist]

I got a customed DRIVE45D from EliteWheels for 1260 grams. They are also my all-purpose road wheels for my rides. They are really great on flats and light for climbs on club rides and races. They are beautifully made and made my TIME Alpe d'Huez look really great with the glossy marbled finish. I do highly recommend the DRIVE wheelset if you want the balance of budget and performance without burning a huge pothole in the pocket.

[@joshuabuilds3051]

I replaced the bearings in a different freehub no problem. Press the inner sleeve out of the way to expose the inner race of the bearings for hammering out

[@levonscheijbeler7901]

Enjoyed this and the rest of your content. Thank you for the detailed information you shared after 2 years of driving with these wheels. I used your discount code to buy a 65D set, so thanks a lot! 🙏

[@lpoolck17]

2:48 well played for diagnosing that issue! 👏

[@wilsonwong6585]

Would love for you do to a video on the differences between Elite's USA wheels vs the ones they sell on Ali-Express. ie, Elite Drive vs Elite Edge.

[@boyacki]

Oh the funnies are on point, favourite video so far, material and semi tash 😅 thank you for bringing joyful and informative material, struggling with life ATM but you make my day every day I view your work, thank you Luke! 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖 Tres bien, 👌👌👌

[@kabadisha]

Life can be tough, but you got this! Stay strong and have the highest of high-fives from a stranger on the intertubes 😊

[@boyacki]

@@kabadisha thank you for the gesture as this embodies community spirit. Aside from the joyful bike content here, I found solace in the teachings and findings from Ryan Holiday and Andrew Huberman. This here balances me out but thank you for the long distance virtual uplift! Have a great day !

[@EstelonAgarwaen]

Have to say, while they are heavier, i like my campy shamal carbon wheels. The bearings are cup and cone style, but with a crankset style preload ring. Look great too.

[@bernierei657]

Hey Luke! Thanks for making my day with that 50/50 mustache :D

[@LawrenceSeetoh]

Thank you Luke, that was very informative and also for the 50/50 stache commitment. 🥖🥖🥖

[@XJ1345]

I got a pair of G45 since 2.5k Kilometers. Weirdly I got one bearing to break but since switching them out (Elite payed for the repair as it was within guarantee) everything works fine. love the wheelset

[@ericbarbosatravels1391]

The shim washers are a godsend for let’s say Shimano CG-800 (11-34) on 11sp freehubs. My bike mechanic showed me that trick. Always handy to have those around

[@p44doyle44]

If you replace the hub bearings do a video on it

[@Onigure]

I need that skill so I can buy my own skf or ntn bearings and put them on myself.

[@robbeelsas]

I have the service manual for these hubs but I can't post a link here or my comment is removed. EDIT: seems to work

[@robbeelsas]

drive.google.com/file/d/1S3BxXdp10iJFO1SiX_6AkhdUxh7qgI2w/view?usp=drivesdk

[@Eureeka13]

Thanks for the review. Recently bought a pair with the help of your previous review. Amazing so far! It would be great to see how/how well these can be re-trued. Curious about this given the non-conventional carbon spoke setup.

[@not-a-raccoon]

Clicked like before the ad finished.

[@BartSchrijvers]

The spokes are stiff but the actual rim itself feels softer, in a good way. The wheels feel very responsive and the power transfer is direct, yet the wheel is also compliant thanks to the softer rim. It’s the other way around with my Enve’s. That rim is incredibly stiff, and the steel spokes create some slack you kinda want but also affects their responsiveness in a bad way.

[@weeedstarrr]

The patent stuff sounds indeed really intresting. Thanks for bringing this up!

[@arthurstreet2811]

the commitment to the gag to continue with half the stache is awesome.

[@fredzajdel122]

I purchased 2 sets of these wheeels 2 years ago and I love them and would recommend them!

[@montrose252]

I LOVE my Elite Drive 50V wheels! (I bought the extra rigid model. If I had to do it over again, I would get the lightweight version). It's like a Zipp, Corima or Campagnolo for 1/4 the price!

[@themanabroad7800]

You’re so freaking bike tech/mech savvy, I envy your knowledge

[@tommarty879]

HI Luke, love your content. Idea for an episode... I would like to see the weight saving of a fully set up tubeless wheels vs lightweight tubes. My thought is it is not much with the goop and stem. Congrats on the baby girl.

[@robbeelsas]

If you do the math, tubeless is actually heavier than using TPU inner tubes

[@stevew007uk]

Another great video Luke, keep it up!

[@SkyRiseee]

I'd be interested to see in some upgraded stuff regards gravel. I'm currently have a cube one and looking for some upgrade.

[@hengliang4344]

Hey guys here are some info from China for you all. The entry-level carbon wheels we use in China start at 1600 RMB (203 euros). The biggest city in carbon wheels industry is XiaMen(厦门), many reputable brands' carbon wheels were OEM in XiaMen. Those wheels are great for training and commuting, but you may face some quality-control issues that need to be returned and repaired by the seller.

[@KayDat]

You should have pre-filmed some segments with full 'stache, some with half 'stache and some with clean shave, and just cut between them throughout the video just to keep us on our toes!

[@EdwardGraves-jk1bp]

🥖 With the newer 9 velo cd 2.0 series, which are lighter and come with carbon spokes, would they be the wheels to go for? Looking as a crit racer but also go to the mountains for a few weeks every year. Love the videos!

[@rosomak8244]

This bearing was not "ever so slightly crunchy". This is a shot bearing. Good you tossed it.

[@mauricetremblay1324]

lol. Love the dial look.

[@sethwilson1355]

I got a set of 60mm elite wheel for like $450 and absolutely love them so far, would be cool to see you review the even more cheaper Chinese carbon wheels

[@n22pdf]

Brilliant love the moustache or halftash 😂 great humour dude.. shame you can’t get the polished hubs anymore.. Pete 🚴🏻👍

[@dcv9460]

LOVE the TWO-FACE! 😂😂😂 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖

[@pbalerig]

Funny for the half and half. Keep up the great videos 🙈

[@aldrinclementina4297]

🤣 The switch.How is that Trifox doing Luke?

[@iansingleton]

🥖Hi Luke, first off, I hope that's a baguette Imogene! It's the only one I could find. Secondly, thanks for your content. Question! I've been looking at the Elite wheels, they seem to be quite serious about getting up to European standards, I think the sponsorship with GCN will have done them no harm! Obviously the wheels in your film are still not "cheap", do you have any info on the more budget friendly Elite wheels? I recently contacted them because I wasn't sure that Elite wheels on Ali Express were the same Elite wheels as seen on your channel and GCN. They wrote back really quick saying yes they're the same wheels but they seemed to imply that the Ali Express wheels weren't exactly their latest releases! After seeing your film I'm not sure I want a set of wheels like the first ones you received! Thanks for any help! Regards. Ian. Ps. Keep up the great work 👍

[@traceassets]

Haha, top effort with half & half ! I'd say the "no tashies" won in the end 😂

[@matt_acton-varian]

I see you decided to sport the Nick J Townsend / Weak13 look 😂😂😂 (local musician, actor, journalist - one side of his face and head is clean shaven the other full long hair and beard). On another note, I have just serviced my SLT freehub with the same bearings - bearings are smooth after 4000 km and just needrf some oil on the freehub pawls.

[@humphuk]

I might have a dig into the patent stuff (your summary sounded correct). As you say it doesn't look as if the patent has been granted - though filed in Germany, Europe, China and the US. If granted, it would impact both the manufacture and sales in the granted country. I have had a brief look at the prosecution - and the patent searches have unearthed some significant prior art. So - as always in patents - its complicated. I will have a read later. I haven't found the patent that elite wheels are licencing - but it isn't strictly relevant.

[@Essenzcycling]

Apparently, links don't work here. But go to Google Patents, the patent number should be CN218477375U for the Chinese patent.

[@jakobtheclock]

I had much more problems with the bearings. They worn out pretty fast and there was play. With new other bearings it's better now.

[@Silidons91]

What confuses me is how crazy popular these became, while a company like FarSports, where you can get a more custom wheelset, with dt swiss 240 exp hubs for less than $1k, completely surpassed them with just straight up advertising (mostly though social media and here on youtube)

[@robbeelsas]

These were, for the longest time, the lightest Chinese wheelset on the market

[@iloverugby4ever]

It's not that inexpensive anymore as far as I've seen :(

[@archery570]

The Elite are very nice looking. I am debating between the Elite Drive 45(Gravel) and a similar 9Velos wheel. If you had to pick one for quality and durability would it be 9velos? Seem like Elite has extended their warranty to 3 years.

[@maxritter7868]

Aw I was hoping the halfstache would become a new channel trademark

[@wimpie031]

I like the choice of shirt, complements the tache on/off 😊😊

[@mendistan]

What handlebars are you using Luke? So clean with the computer!

[@jesseschenendorf2896]

How do you feel about those Schwalbe tires? Wet grip okay? Bicycle rolling resistance rates their wet grip as pretty poor…

[@0415shanegi]

Hi, just wondering. I can get the Drive 50 in Australia for AU$1500 and the Edge Ultralight for AU$900. Would you save the drive wheels are worth the extra money? I dont race and am only a weekend rider but ride above 27km/r average. Cheers

[@lfd720]

hey Luke, nice halfstache :D give us an update on your chinaplay pedals pls

[@ggoben]

Crazy timing of this video. I've been struggling with the front wheel of my 50D drive set. Bearings started to feel crunchy. I contacted Elite and they sent me new ones. However, I've taken it to 2 different bike shops and even when installing new bearings they start to feel crunchy as soon as they are pressed in. Even if you press them in a bit by hand crunchyness happens immediately. Could the hubs warp or get out of round after time? Luke, I guarantee once you start replacing bearings you'll find out it's very finicky and difficult to get it smooth like a new wheelset. Crunchyness cannot be fixed in my experience. Please let me know if you encounter something similar. Not what I expected from a "high end" China manufacturer. I'm going to plead my case to Elite for a new wheel. I doubt it happens though.

[@robbeelsas]

I've had the exact same problem and subsequently measured the hole diameters to be out of spec. Elitewheels denied everything and just replaced the bearings in their service center

[@kubackjeee]

did u manage to resolve the issue? Did you have the version with silver or black hub?

[@ggoben]

@@kubackjeee they were the black hubs. Never fixed it. I’ve moved on from them. I’m on roval c38’s now. While heavier and shallower they are much more stable and rock solid. I feel so much more comfortable descending. No hint of speed wobble or apprehension at high speeds like I had with the Drive set. Even after having the front wheel trued the balance just felt off on my drive set. Not sure the cause. Easier just to move on.

[@kubackjeee]

@@ggoben that's interesting what u saying. Because you are literally the first person I see that thinks does wheels are unstable or not confidence inspiring. I've already seen people not happy with the bearings, but that is easily fixable.

[@Killroy76]

My Elite wheels were out of balance. I had to add 4.5 grams of magnetic golf stickers to the inside of my rim. Now I am happy 🥖

[@wh4t3VAH]

I have a set from a different brand and when I spin them on the bike stand, the whole bike "vibrates/moves around". I guess that's the indication of a non balanced wheel. How did you find out where to place the weight?

[@Killroy76]

Hambini and GPLama made a YT Movie on this but the best to me was done by OZ Cycle. Just search for it with „Balance your wheels“. It made a difference to of day/Night in handling my bike

[@Killroy76]

@@wh4t3VAH Oz Cycle made a movie on balancing your wheels. That was the best explenation to me

[@aidanmasterson50]

Love mine! But I believe they are no longer giving the option for silver hub. Only black.

[@ellipticalsoul]

The patent dispute will probably boil down to whoever can afford to pay lawyers to drag the dispute on long enough to make the other side give in/settle

[@lamba105]

🥖(That's half a baguette). Love the commitment to the poll results lol

[@nikolegos]

Hey Luke been a fan of the channel for a while now, and I have a request if I may, would you be able to check out the BXT Pro 145 bike frame, cause it looks like a hell of a deal for the price!

[@1945CCCP]

The wheels looks solid, but I have a pulsing breaking effect with SwissStop pads. Pulsing was negligible with the original pads, but breaking power was low. Any advises?

[@TraceVelo]

With disc brakes, I would take the pads out, resurface them with some high grit sandpaper, and then bed them in again. If you are talking rim brakes, also sand down the pads slightly to remove any contamination, but you may also need to clean the carbon brake surface on the wheels. For this I use acetone, but be careful, it can easily strip any paint/clearcut from the rim surface.

[@1945CCCP]

@@TraceVelo thank you for a great and fast reply! I will try sandpaper on pads, but first going to check if i have pulsing with the old pads. Some people claim that pads can damage carbon rim surface making its roughness non-uniform ... About acetone on rims... Im scare. How about little sand-papering??

[@TraceVelo]

I would avoid sanding the carbon rim. Acetone won't damage the carbon, and will remove contamination and any old brake compound. You can also try isopropyl alcohol.

[@1945CCCP]

@@TraceVelo on the road now... ;). With shimano R55C4 (instead of swissStop) the break pulsing has gone , so far, so maybe it was not a problem related to rims.

[@bill6040]

I would have added the bread emoji but it doesn’t seem to be available to me. Newbie question, at 3:55 you said they dropped the straps on the bib shorts, isn’t the definition of “bibs” = with straps?

[@lorenzogiusto3222]

I am so happy with my Elite drive G45 steel spokes. My previous bike was a rim brake and had the drive 50v. The G45 are lightweight, 24mm internal width and setup tubeless with 28mm tires they are an absolute pleasure to ride.

[@kubackjeee]

How would you compare stiffness, responsivnes and holding speed between those two?

[@Natuh21]

Best decision, 50/50 lol! I see u use a lot of kinda disc rotors, can u make a video about them? 🥖🥖

[@Emtbtoday]

Are they not ment to have a spoke nipple surround to protect the carbon edges?

[@danford9646]

Oh, there is a long term wheel review here too...

[@bobareturned]

Any updates on the wheeltop eds tx group set? Any possible discount links?

[@afonic]

I am so waiting for this !!

[@jw3638]

I was hoping the poll would result in the 50/50 stache

[@DaanHoogland]

Fuck, there are no :Half baguette: emoticons... 🥖/2

[@mattherbert9027]

Hi, I wonder if you could help? My ffwd rim brake rear wheel with dt swiss xdr hub, clincher with alloy braking surface has cracked on the carbon by the spoke, a large crack so can't use. I upgraded to a 54 tooth ratchet, too, so my question is do you know of decent carbon wheelset or wheel that would accommodate these features as trying to find a ffwd like for like is really tricky. TIA

[@3lfaromeo]

🥖Really pulled through with this one 'ol Lukey boy

[@renesakata1737]

I love my Elite wheel sets. The only gripe I have is with ALL my Elite MTB wheels, they take an unusual high pressure until the tires plop, no matter if I use tubeless or tubes. I even have to grease them (with soap water) to get them to plop around 4.5 Bar (65psi). My Bike Ahead and Syncros wheels need less than 3bar to plop. Very puzzling.

[@alessiolavina5220]

Could you please make a video on the difference between every type of élite road wheels? It would be apretiate, I would like to buy a set of wheels but I don’t know which choose. Thanks a lot 🥖🥖🥖

[@marcuzzo211]

hey @trace Velo how many miles do you drive yearly ?

[@arose62]

Practicing pogonotrophy and pogonotomy simultaneously!

[@kubackjeee]

Did u manage to replace the bearings on the freehub?

[@boshiken4914]

That’s a solid look

[@Vismux69]

Just ordered them :) 👌💪

[@tn9274]

i want to buy to replace superteam but the duty will probably too much in my country and aliexpress also not ship to here anymore.

[@davidclayton1803]

My moustache was inspired by yours. I can't follow you into 50/50 though.

[@RyanAlexander87]

Carbon or SS spokes for a gravel build?!

[@farnsworthrocketsurgery374]

I have a set of Elite Wheels mountain bike wheels. They worked great for a few months. Yes, months. The ratchet drive ring stripped out of the hub. I contacted customer support and so far all they have done is give me the run-around. Buyer beware!

[@johnnyboy4711]

how would rate the cheaper circa 300 gbp original elite wheels you got 1st time round?

[@ttrc1736]

I love your mustache.

[@debasishnayak8610]

🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖Hi, a question on separate note do you recommend Costelo pedals, as I do see that you have been using them? 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

What happened to the Wheeltop EDX groupset?

[@cemsonmez6322]

Why your hub is metal color, but the one on the website is now black? Change of hub?

[@thomasullmann7447]

"These wheels are cracking" :D

[@Phantom0309]

8:04 has the hub seen more than 200w? 😂

[@aszel]

My first thought was he is taking off half of the mustache but a bit from the right and a bit from the left... that might be a bit tough to explain look 😅

[@rickymarumade]

No amount of like deserve that 50/50 mustache

[@DigitalDimi]

Noooooo! I subscribed only because of the weird moustache. What I'm supposed to do now 😮😂

[@stuartbird5139]

how are they for getting tyres on? I have some winspace luns and getting tyres on is a real struggle

[@martinarchila440]

How would you compare these elite with Light-fast wheels?