Cheap carbon wheels in the test: 6 models under 1000 euros in the test

Carbon wheels are no longer a luxury item: there are now some models with a professional look for less than 1000 euros. But how do they compare to professional material? Our test with six models shows.

Wheels with black, high, aerodynamically shaped rim profiles are as much a part of the modern road bike look as curved handlebars or narrow tyres. Professionals only forego the aero advantage in very few exceptional cases, but the wheels are also very popular with amateur cyclists because they significantly enhance the silhouette of any speedster compared to flat aluminium rims - and not least make them measurably faster. The problem: because the high rim profiles of around 50 millimetres can only be manufactured from carbon with a reasonable weight, such aero wheels have always been relatively expensive. The models used in professional races cost 2000 euros and more.

Briefly & concisely explained

Aero tuning is also worthwhile with inexpensive carbon wheels: In our wind tunnel test, the inexpensive rims in the 50-millimetre class make no appreciable difference to expensive top-of-the-range material. Compromises require other criteria: The cheapest sets are up to 250 grams heavier than high-end wheels; the lightest cheap wheels, on the other hand, are slightly less torsionally stiff than the top class.

The 6 carbon models in the individual test

• Aerycs Endurance 50
• Engage 50C
• Leeze CC45 Comp AR >> e.g. available here
• Mai Bikes GRV Carbon Allroad Gravel
• Newmen Advanced A.50
• Van Rysel VR 50 >> e.g. available here

More offer for less money

However, the range is constantly expanding, especially in the more affordable direction. The prices for carbon wheels have already tumbled in recent years; there are now even some suppliers, including well-known ones, who offer wheels for significantly less than 1000 euros. The question naturally arises: Are there differences in aero performance, weight or stiffness values compared to professional material? And if so, how big are they? This is what we want to find out and categorise in our comparison test of carbon wheels under 900 euros. With well-known suppliers such as Zipp, Vision, Campagnolo or DT Swiss, there is still nothing to be had for three-digit amounts; their wheels are all well into the four-digit range. Instead, there are typical value-for-money brands such as Aerycs and Leeze; however, with Newmen and Van Rysel, manufacturers who are represented with other products in professional sport are also taking part.

The outsider at the start is an individual entrepreneur: Felix Mai is presenting by far the cheapest carbon wheel with a rim manufactured in China, which we are particularly excited about. One reason why carbon rims are becoming cheaper and cheaper is the introduction of disc brakes on racing bikes. Since it is no longer necessary to brake on the rim flank, their production has become considerably simpler and therefore cheaper. This is because particularly heat-resistant resins and special surface treatments for the braking surfaces were an immense cost driver in development and production. Manufacturers also argue that hookless inner profiles with their simple shape should help to reduce production costs and therefore prices. However, the topic does not yet seem to have arrived in our price segment: The test wheels are all based on classic hooked rims, partly for safety reasons because the hookless systems do not work with all tyres without exception.

Impellers for different purposes

The rim profiles, which are between 22 and 24 millimetres wide, are just about suitable for road cycling: even if they are sometimes labelled as suitable for 25 millimetre narrow tyres, they should be ridden with tyres at least 28 millimetres wide. We have tested them with 30 millimetre wide tyres, with which the rims harmonise well. There are hardly any upper limits; most wheels are also suitable for all-road and gravel bikes and can easily cope with tyres of 45 millimetres and more. The rim height of around 50 millimetres has established itself for good all-round properties. It promises good aerodynamics without having to compromise too much in terms of crosswind susceptibility or weight. We analysed the performance of the wheels in the wind tunnel, with more or less surprising but at least pleasing results: there are hardly any measurable differences in aerodynamics between the models - and they are hardly slower than significantly more expensive products. Compared to the fastest wheels in this class, such as a DT Swiss ARC 1100, which costs 2500 euros, the cheaper wheels lose just two to three watts.

Big differences between the models

There are bigger differences in the weight of the wheels, which is quite surprising. After all, with comparable rim heights, usually 24 steel spokes per wheel (the only exception being Newmen with 21 spokes each) and fairly simple hubs, they are almost identical in design. However, the lightest set from Engage and the heaviest from Mai Bikes are separated by an astonishing 250 grams. This puts the Engage at the level of top material; the only way to go lighter is with carbon spokes. The wheels from Mai Bikes, on the other hand, are comparable with decent aluminium models. The majority of the additional weight is probably in the rim. For wheels that have to be constantly accelerated and have an enormous influence on the riding behaviour, this is a clearly noticeable difference. The exact opposite is true for the stiffness values: the two lightest pairs from Engage and Newmen show weaknesses; this is most likely to be felt by heavy riders who might miss some steering precision with the Engage wheels. The models from Mai Bikes and Leeze are very stable. Findings: Despite very similar scores - ranging from 2.0 to 2.2 - the wheels reveal very different characteristics. Depending on your stature and riding ability, you should pay particular attention to weight and stiffness values.