👉11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Go Head-to-Head (Part 1)

👉11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Face Off (Part 2)

👉11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Face-Off (Part 3)

👉11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Face Off (Part 4)

 

Picking up from where we left off, let's dive deeper into some high-end road wheelsets tested by international media:

 

HUNT SUB 50

 

The latest addition to the HUNT family, the aero-lightweight SUB 50 wheelset, comes packed with cutting-edge tech: wide, hookless rims, and carbon spokes, all paired with specifically developed hubs. How does the flagship version with ceramic bearings stack up against its competitors?

 

The HUNT SUB 50 has just passed wind tunnel testing, making it the newest and most advanced wheelset in the lineup. It's not just loaded with all the latest innovations but also optimized for aerodynamics with wider tires, featuring many subtle details that make it stand out in testing. Interestingly, this British brand, previously known for its affordability and exceptional durability, now seems to be targeting the road racing segment with the SUB 50, aiming to go head-to-head with the visually and spec-similar CADEX 50 Ultra.

 

FL52 Max

HUNT SUB 50 Specifications: No Compromise

The SUB 50 is one of the lightest wheelsets in our test, weighing just 1,365g, although it's 50g heavier than the CADEX 50 Ultra. The reason HUNT can achieve this weight is thanks to the carbon fiber spokes and ultra-thin hub design. The saved weight is taken up by the 50mm deep, 34mm wide rims, making it one of the most solid wheelsets in the test. Similar to the Roval, the front wheel features a wide rim with a larger cross-sectional curvature, while the rear wheel has a slimmer shape. This design aims to optimize the aerodynamic conditions for both the front and rear wheels.

To maximize performance, the flagship model is equipped with CeramicSpeed bearings, offering outstanding functionality at a price of 2,789 euros. As for the appearance, it follows the classic HUNT design, with prominent branding, fine stripes, and small lettering on the rims, giving it an elegant look that can almost perfectly match any bike. Regarding warranty, HUNT offers the H Care plan for the first batch of owners, including lifetime crash replacement. Unlike other manufacturers, HUNT covers all related costs and offers free wheelset replacements if there are any issues, setting a great example in the industry!

HUNT SUB 50 Test Performance

The HUNT SUB 50 is one of the most robust wheelsets in our test. It’s perfect for sprints and quick starts, with a very responsive feel when accelerating uphill or during cornering. It also delivers a highly precise and enjoyable riding experience on descents. On the downside, the HUNT SUB 50 lakhs compliance. Whether compliance is a necessary trait for high-performance road bikes is still up for debate, but even professionals would appreciate a bit more comfort during long-distance races. The hubs produce the loudest and most aggressive sound in the test. In this aspect, HUNT and CADEX wheelsets are like "screaming siblings." However, their performance in crosswinds is different. Compared to CADEX, HUNT's carbon fiber spokes are slightly narrower, providing better handling and control in crosswinds.

Aerodynamic Performance and Wind Tunnel Test Results

The HUNT SUB 50 shows impressive aerodynamic potential. It’s fast on straight roads, with a good sailing effect that exceeds expectations for a 50mm rim depth. This was confirmed in wind tunnel tests. The SUB 50 is on par with the CADEX 50 Ultra and DT Swiss ERC in terms of aerodynamic performance, but it lags behind the winning Syncros Capital SL Aero by about 3.5W. The design of the HUNT wheelset is reflected in the wind tunnel, where its wider rims perform slightly worse at small yaw angles, but this also means it’s especially effective at steeper angles.

Conclusion

The HUNT SUB 50 is a thoughtfully designed wheelset with attention to detail. In addition to carbon fiber spokes, a custom-developed hub, and progressive geometry, it also offers impressive rigidity and efficient handling, highlighting its performance-oriented characteristics. However, due to its lack of compliance, it’s better suited for hardcore racing scenarios. For less than 3,000 euros, you can get a top-tier wheelset perfect for competition.

Pros

• Strong rigidity, fun handling
• High-quality specifications, reasonably priced
• Exquisite details

Cons

• Slightly lacking in compliance

Lightweight Obermayer EVO

The Lightweight Obermayer EVO is the epitome of high-end wheelsets. But does the lightweight dream of many road cyclists still make sense today? Does it live up to its high reputation?

As a pioneer of integrated carbon fiber wheels, Lightweight is undoubtedly an industry icon. However, its price is staggering, with the Obermayer EVO costing just under 7,000 euros, making it the most expensive wheelset in the test. Does the nearly unchanged integrated carbon fiber structure of the Obermayer EVO still compare to modern aerodynamic wheelsets? Or does the high price and eye-catching appearance make these wheels more of a status symbol than a genuine performance upgrade?

Ultra-Light and Ultra-Expensive: Lightweight Obermayer EVO Specifications

The secret to Lightweight's long-tested success lies in its integrated hub, spokes, and rim design. This design has multiple advantages, such as keeping the weight extremely low without sacrificing rigidity. The Obermayer EVO truly shines when it comes to weight, tipping the scales at just 1,275g. Lightweight’s approach to weight reduction goes beyond just lowering grams. By eliminating threaded spokes and spoke nipples, the rim doesn’t require spoke holes, making it incredibly easy to install tubeless tires, with no risk of air leakage. However, the 18mm narrow inner rim width isn’t exactly cutting-edge and isn’t ideal for tubeless tires. According to Syncros, modern 28mm tires are not suitable for such a narrow rim. Even 25mm tires look a bit bulky on the Obermayer EVO. The hub is relatively standard, equipped with DT Swiss components and a Ratchet EXP freehub, making it easy to service and with readily available spare parts. The bearings are CeramicSpeed ceramic, which fits our expectations for a wheelset priced just under 7,000 euros.

Beyond the high-end components, the unique appearance and ultra-lightweight nature of the Lightweight Obermayer EVO are the main reasons it offers good value. The wheelset is built with exceptional craftsmanship, and while the branding is subtle, the overall design is highly eye-catching. Unfortunately, the warranty policy is fairly average. Lightweight offers a warranty period 5 years longer than the 2 years required by EU law, and if damage occurs, they offer a replacement discount through their collision replacement program.

Lightweight Obermayer EVO: Perfect in Every Way

There were some surprises in this group test, and the Lightweight Obermayer EVO is definitely one of them. Its incredibly lightweight and solid design creates a unique riding experience. The Obermayer EVO is direct and stiff, converting every bit of pedaling power into forward motion, and it responds instantly to even the slightest steering input without filtering anything. Due to its lightweight, this wheelset really shines on climbs, making acceleration on steep inclines and through corners a true pleasure. On flat terrain, it’s just as efficient for starts and sprints. Of course, all this responsiveness comes at a cost. The Lightweight Obermayer EVO has almost zero compliance. It’s a bit of a downside, but for such an efficient, integrated design, it’s almost unavoidable. You can somewhat alleviate this by using 28mm tires, but the narrow internal rim width may not provide enough cushioning.

Another drawback is its performance in crosswinds. With a rim height of 48mm and wide carbon spokes, the Obermayer EVO is as susceptible to wind as the wheelset with the highest rim height in the test.

Outdated? Wind Tunnel Test of Lightweight Obermayer EVO

Although the Lightweight Obermayer EVO features flat carbon spokes and an integrated structure, its aerodynamic performance is disappointing. The Obermayer EVO can maintain speed on straightaways, but its performance quickly declines under crosswinds and the sail effect.

Wind tunnel tests show that at a moderate yaw angle of up to 2.5°, this wheelset can keep up with the slowest competitors, but after that, it quickly falls behind. A slight sail effect is noticeable at steeper angles, but overall, the Obermayer EVO lags far behind its competitors in terms of aerodynamic performance. It’s 10W slower than the winning Syncros wheelset and 4W slower than the second-place Mavic wheelset in the test.

 

Conclusion

The Lightweight Obermayer EVO is known for its unique monocoque design, lightweight, and distinctiveness. It sets a benchmark in direct and responsive handling, truly shining on climbs with its quick and agile performance. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of aerodynamics, compliance, and modern standards. What you’re left with is an extremely expensive wheelset with limited functionality, ideal for those who care more about looks than absolute performance.

Pros

• Extremely stiff and lightweight, perfect for climbing
• High-quality craftsmanship
• Unique and eye-catching appearance

Cons

• Very narrow rims
• Somewhat outdated rim geometry
• Very expensive

Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc Test

With the Cosmic SLR 45 Disc, Mavic brings us a true all-rounder. Can this classic wheelset compete with the latest performance models on the market? Will Mavic stand out with its innovative spoke nipple design and tubeless rim?

As a former market leader in the wheelset industry, Mavic has faced some challenges in recent years, but it is slowly but steadily making a comeback. As a pioneer of clincher rims, Mavic is once again at the center of the current tubeless rim debate. The Cosmic SLR wheelset not only impresses with its time-tested design but also incorporates an innovative spoke nipple design, creating a cleaner, more futuristic rim.

Regaining Past Glory? Mavic Cosmic SLR 45

With the Cosmic SLR 45, Mavic not only made technical breakthroughs but also set itself apart from competitors in terms of appearance. The distinctive raw carbon fiber look, the laser-etched SLR logo on the rims, and the yellow Mavic accents create a subtle yet unique aesthetic. On the other hand, the rim geometry feels a bit old-school. The Cosmic SLR has an inner width just under 20mm and an outer width of 28mm, which works well with 28mm tires. However, wider tires may not pair as well with the Mavic rims and could affect aerodynamic performance. The traditional Mavic hook design offers peace of mind and creates a versatile rim that is compatible with various tires and pressures. The Cosmic SLR rims feature a hookless design, making tubeless tire installation incredibly easy. This is thanks to the innovative spoke and spoke nipple design, which, compared to traditional methods, uses embedded threaded aluminum inserts that allow the spoke nipples to screw directly into the inner surface of the rim. The added benefit is that you can service the wheelset without removing the tires.

Weighing 1,419g, it is slightly above average in weight but offers excellent value for money. It is one of the more affordable wheelsets in the test, priced at €2,249. Additionally, Mavic provides a lifetime warranty and collision replacement plan, giving buyers peace of mind.

Mavic Cosmic SLR 45: Plain and Simple

What makes a good all-rounder wheelset? Perhaps it's decent climbing performance, average efficiency, balanced compliance, and high stability? At least, that's what the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 promises and delivers. Much like the DT Swiss ERC, Mavic's wheelset also offers great balance, but its design is more suited for all-around racing rather than endurance events. Thanks to its moderate compliance and just-right rigidity, the Cosmic wheelset accelerates quickly and performs well in sprints, but it doesn’t feel particularly sensitive or unpredictable when cornering or descending fast. It's perfect for casual group rides and leisurely weekend trips. With a relatively low rim height and thinner spokes, it remains very stable and is hardly affected by crosswinds. Overall, it feels like a well-balanced, versatile wheelset.

 

Aerodynamic All-Rounder Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Wind Tunnel Test

When using the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45, you'll notice that it doesn't have a significant advantage in aerodynamic performance. While it's faster and more modern than the Lightweight, the similarly tall DT Swiss wheels perform noticeably better on the road than the Mavic. Wind tunnel tests confirmed this difference. The winning Syncros wheelset in the test had an average power difference of 5.5W compared to the Mavic. Despite similar rim heights, the Cosmic SLR performs nearly 2W worse than the mid-tier HUNT, CADEX, and DT Swiss wheelsets. The gap becomes even more evident at yaw angles above 7.5°, and its sail effect is also relatively less noticeable.

Conclusion

While the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 is slightly narrower than most modern high-performance wheels, it stands out with its clever spoke mounting system and tubeless design. More importantly, it feels balanced in almost every situation. Its only downside is that its aerodynamic performance doesn't quite match up to the competition. However, if you're not too concerned about those few watts, the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 is still a high-quality wheelset with excellent all-around handling.

Advantages

• High-end appearance with SLR logo and Mavic accents
• Innovative spoke tensioning system
• Extremely easy installation of tubeless tires

Disadvantages

• Narrower rims compared to modern wheels
• Aerodynamic performance below average

Reserve 52|63 Test

Reserve has introduced a promising product, although its name isn’t exactly flashy. It promises balanced handling, innovative aerodynamic design, and great value for money.

Reserve, a relatively young wheel brand, isn’t widely recognized yet, but in 2023, it helped Jumbo-Visma win all three Grand Tours. Of course, winning Grand Tours isn’t everything. By using the innovative Turbulent Aero method to collect real-world wind data, Reserve has developed a wheelset that is expected to perform well in wind tunnels and under real-world conditions. Paired with DT Swiss hubs, will this specially designed wheelset be able to compete with other high-performance products in our tests?

Mixed Rim Height for Optimal Aerodynamics? Specifications of the Reserve 52|63

The Reserve 52|63 wheels are priced at €2,299 and weigh 1,455g, offering an ideal setup. The rims are perfectly matched with modern tire widths. The front wheel is 35mm wide with a 52mm rim height, featuring a design similar to Roval but with a more classic spherical projection. The rear wheel has a 63mm rim height and a 34mm width, with a shape design similar to the front wheel. The rims are higher and wider than those of Roval, adopting a classic hooked design, which offers more flexibility in tire choice and pressure compared to competitors like Syncros, HUNT, and CADEX.

Our test set uses DT Swiss 240 hubs, with straight-pull spokes and steel bearings. Ceramic bearings aren’t necessarily required at this price point. The Reserve 52|63 wheels leave a very high-quality impression, with a matte finish that is understated yet sleek, and the attention to detail is remarkable. The black-gray carbon fiber finish paired with the simple glossy Reserve logo enhances the aesthetics of any bike. The integrated concept peaks with the matching Reserve Fillmore valve stems, eliminating the traditional valve core design and promising to avoid valve core clogging. Thanks to a lifetime warranty and a collision replacement plan for original owners, you can ensure long-term enjoyment of your riding experience.

Details Make the Difference: Reserve 52|63 Test

The simplest way to describe the handling of the Reserve 52|63 wheelset is "exceptional aerodynamic performance." However, this improvement in aerodynamics doesn't come at the cost of other aspects of the riding experience. The Reserve wheelset offers sufficient compliance, especially for high-performance road bikes, making it suitable for longer rides and more relaxed cycling. That said, the wheelset is stiff enough to handle sharp corners with precision, turning every watt of power into forward momentum when you push on the pedals. Unlike the Roval, it never feels soft or vague. During climbs, you may notice that its weight and higher rim height require more effort to get the wheelset spinning. However, this is more than made up for on descents and flat roads, where the Reserve 52|63 delivers incredible smoothness and efficiency, allowing you to maintain speed with minimal effort. It also performs well in crosswinds. Compared to the Roval, the higher rim profile of the Reserve performs slightly better than expected and remains easy to control in all test scenarios.

Almost a Miracle: The Reserve 52|63 Performance in the Wind Tunnel

The Reserve 52|63 wheelset not only feels incredibly fast but also benefits from a noticeable wind sail effect. The wind tunnel test results are astonishing: the Reserve wheelset averaged 92.79W, just under one watt less than the winning Syncros model, but at nearly half the price. This placed the Reserve in second, just ahead of higher-profile wheelsets like Roval and Vision. The Reserve's impressive performance is thanks to its exceptional performance at steeper yaw angles. In the mid-range, it holds its own against competitors. The innovative Turbulent Aero design seems to have paid off, delivering outstanding results.

Conclusion

The Reserve 52|63 wheelset not only impressed in the wind tunnel tests but also performs excellently on real roads. With a perfect balance of compliance, stiffness, and precision, this wheelset excels in all conditions. Plus, its high-quality, elegant appearance and relatively affordable price of €2,299 make it a great value. Therefore, the Reserve 52|63 is undoubtedly the best choice in our 2024 aerodynamic wheelset test.

Pros

• Very balanced, feels exciting
• Excellent aerodynamic performance
• High-quality and understated appearance
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• None

Recommended Reading

• 11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Face Off - Part 2
• 650B vs 700C Wheelset
• 11 High-Performance Carbon Fiber Wheelsets Go Head to Head - Part 1
• How to Choose the Right Cycling Jersey Size
• The 13 Most Popular Clincher and Tubeless Tires