WebreaderShopNewsletterTop dealers & workshops

Engage 50C testLightweight wheels under 1000 euros in the TOUR test

Jens Klötzer

 · 21.09.2025

Engage 50C test: Lightweight wheels under 1000 euros in the TOUR testPhoto: Georg Grieshaber
The elaborately milled hub offers a modern toothed disc freewheel
There are now many carbon wheels with a professional look that are available for significantly less than 1000 euros. But the question is: How do they compare to professional material? Our test of six models provides the answer. Here in the test: the Engage 50C.
Topics in this article

With the Engage sub-brand, the German carbon specialist AX-Lightness is targeting the market for high-quality yet affordable wheels. The Benotti brand bikes from the same company also become attractive offers with the wheel portfolio. Visually, the simply named 50C wheelset in a matt UD finish with laser-engraved Engage logos is comparatively classy.

>> Wheels under 1000 euros in the test: How good are the Aerycs Endurance 50?

>> Full carbon fibre from Vision: New high-end wheels for racing use

>> Inexpensive tuning measure: Van Rysel presents new carbon wheels

>> Undercover: Wheel prototypes at Team Alpecin - Deceuninck

Discreet but elegant: the carbon structure is visible in the laser-cut letteringPhoto: Georg GrieshaberDiscreet but elegant: the carbon structure is visible in the laser-cut lettering

The elaborately milled hub offers a modern toothed disc freehub. Built with in-house lightweight hubs and Sapim CX Sprint spokes, the set is respectably light, but not very torsionally stiff, which also costs it a few rating points. Despite the approval for very heavy riders (or lighter riders with luggage on the bike), we would therefore recommend it for lighter riders. According to the manufacturer, the widest rim in this comparison is suitable for all-road and off-road riding and for tyres between 28 and 45 millimetres wide. A tyre package can be booked as an option, the wheels then come with ready-fitted tyres from Continental.

Engage 50C: Advantages and disadvantages

  • Plus: comparatively light, high weight release
  • Minus: not very torsion-resistant

The Engage 50C wheels in detail

  • Price per set: 899 Euro
  • Variants: Shimano HG, SRAM XDR
  • Scope of delivery: Rim tape
  • Warranty/Crash Replacement: 2 years, crash replacement
  • Recommended tyre width: 28-45 millimetres
  • Weight limit: 130 kilogrammes
  • Number of spokes front/rear: 24/24

Measured values

  • Rim width x height/inner width: 30x50/24 millimetres
  • Aerodynamics at 45 km/h: 221 watts*
  • Weight f/h: 663/763/1426 grammes
  • Lateral stiffness f/h: 40/38 N/mm

Engage 50C: The TOUR test scores

  • Aerodynamics (30 %): 7 out of 8 possible points - Note: 1,7
  • Weight v + h (30 %): 7 out of 8 possible points - Note: 1,7
  • Lateral stiffness at the front (15 %): 3 out of 8 possible points - Note: 3,3
  • Rear lateral stiffness (15 %): 4 out of 8 possible points - Note: 3,0
  • Acceleration (10 %): 6 out of 8 possible points - Note: 2,0
  • Overall grade (100 %): 2,2

*Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome the air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling dummy leg

How do you like this article?
Jens Klötzer

Jens Klötzer is a qualified industrial engineer and TOUR's expert for components of all kinds: brakes, gears, wheels and tyres - Jens puts everything through its paces. He collects historic racing bikes and owns both a modern time trial bike and a titanium gravel touring bike. When travelling, he likes to explore unknown roads in Eastern Europe - on wide but fast tyres.

Home

Most read in category Buying advice