Miche Deva RD: New professional wheels to break records

With a total weight of 1305 grams, the new wheelset should be significantly lighter than its predecessor. According to the manufacturer, the Kleos RD 50 wheels are almost 150 grams lighter. In terms of aerodynamics, Miche promises an improvement of "between 8.6 and 10.9 per cent". The aero wheels are available with 52 and 62 millimetre high carbon rims. However, the novelty is not a bargain: Wilier's own brand charges 3,200 euros for the set.

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The Italians put an immense amount of effort into the new flagship product. According to their own statement, the engineers spent 24 hours in the wind tunnel alone to raise the Deva RD to a new aerodynamic level. Among other things, the Italians booked themselves into the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad, which TOUR also uses to measure complete bikes and wheels. The result: the Deva RD is said to perform slightly better at high speeds in particular, with the new wheelset saving just over two watts at 60 km/h compared to the Kleos RD. At slower speeds, the two models come closer together. At 50 km/h Miche quotes a difference of 1.2 watts, at 40 km/h it should only be 0.7 watts. The front wheel was considered separately for the measurements. The Italians did not provide total figures.

Miche Deva RD: The most important facts

• Weight: 1305 grams (52 millimetres)
• Rim material: Carbon
• Spokes material: Carbon
• Material hub bearing: Ceramics
• Tubeless-ready: Yes
• Spokes: Blade spokes, 21/21
• Price: 3500 Euro

For the weight tuning, Miche spokes the wheels for the first time with carbon blade spokes from Vonoa and relies on a new design: instead of 24 spokes, 21 spokes are to provide the necessary stability and rigidity. Titanium nipples are also used, which should save around 20 grams per wheelset compared to steel versions. The hooked rim is based on different carbon qualities (T700, T800, T1000). Overall, the lightest set with a rim height of 52 millimetres weighs just over 1300 grams.

While the Groupama team has immediate access to the new wheels and will give them their race premiere at the Tour Down Under (20th to 25th January), amateur athletes will have to wait a little longer. According to Miche, both versions of the Deva RD will be available from March for 3500 euros each.