10Plus T Series AliExpress Wheels Review: Are These Sub $500 Wheels Any Good?

10Plus T Series 50mm review: Decal detail.

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The Elitewheels ENT wheels have been my go-to recommendation for the cheapest usable carbon wheels on AliExpress for years. So when I noticed a brand called 10Plus selling a wheelset with the same Pillar 1423 spokes, a similar build, and a 36T star ratchet hub at the same price range, I got curious.

The listing showed a 5.0 rating from 92 reviews and over 290 sets sold. That’s enough people to be wrong together. But I still wanted to see for myself. So, in this 10Plus wheels review, I share my experience and how they compare with other Chinese alternatives.

KEY TAKEAWAY

The 10Plus T Series wheels hold speed well on flats. They’re comfortable, and they stay predictable in crosswinds. However, they’re on the heavier side considering today’s standards, so they won’t make climbing any more fun than it already isn’t (unless you currently have super heavy wheels). They ride a lot like the Elitewheels ENT, and that’s not an insult at this price.

I recommend them to budget-oriented riders and those who are transitioning from aluminum to carbon wheels. They are suitable for flats or rolling terrain and for those who prefer steady efforts. You can continue reading for my in-house tests and ride impressions, or order them here.

My 10Plus wheels scoring at a glance:
Crosswind Stability 4/5 | Stiffness 2/5 | Riding Comfort 4/5 | Speed Maintenance 4/5 | Tire On 5/5 | Trueness 4/5 | Spoke Tension 5/5 | Dishing 5/5 | Price 5/5 | OVERALL 4.2/5
More about this road wheels scoring.

10Plus T Series Wheels Main Features

Here is a quick summary of the features and specs of the 10Plus 50mm wheels.

Main Features

  • Relatively soft, but comfortable
  • Can maintain speed well
  • Good crosswind stability
  • Tubeless rim tape is installed
  • Tubeless valves are included
  • Spare spokes are not included
  • QC sheet included
  • XDR freehub included (on top of the HG freehub)

Technical Specification

  • Brake Type: Disc, clincher (tubeless-ready)
  • Weight (with rim tape and without valves)
    • Front Wheel: 664g
    • Rear Wheel: 775g
    • Measured weight: 1439g*
    • Claimed weight: 1630g (±3%)
  • Measured rim width:
    • Internal: 21.0mm
    • External: 29.1mm
  • Rim depth: 50mm
  • Spokes: Pillar 1423
  • Hubs: 10Plus 36T star ratchet (steel bearings)
  • Enclosed flanges: Yes
  • Rider’s weight limit: 130kg (285lb)

*NOTE: The measured weight (1439g) came in noticeably lighter than the claimed weight (1630g), which is a pleasant surprise. It’s rare for a claimed weight to be the pessimistic number rather than the optimistic one.

The 10Plus T Series wheels are sold only on AliExpress, and the price changes there more often than the weather. Whatever number you see today, treat it as a snapshot, but you should be able to buy them for under $500 with shipping included. Also, ignore the price before the discount. It’s just an anchoring technique to convince you that you are getting a better deal.

When ordering, you pick from the following options. Note that AliExpress lists the hub version under “Color,” which is a nice reminder of where you’re shopping:

  • Wheel Width (axle standard): 12x100mm and 12x142mm thru-axle, or QR 9x100mm and 10x135mm
  • Wheel Depth: 38mm, 50mm, or 60mm
  • Hub Type (freehub): Shimano HG, SRAM XDR, or Shimano MS

Shipping and Import Fees from China Explained

The price on AliExpress is not the price you’ll pay. These wheels sit well above the customs threshold in most countries, so customs and VAT will find you one way or another. I explain the whole topic in my guide on import fees from China, so here I’ll keep it short.

The choice usually comes down to paying extra for shipping with customs clearance included, or saving that money and gambling on how your local customs office feels that week. In this case, you can pay €80 extra for DPD shipping that includes import fees, so you have peace of mind. I highly recommend paying for this because you avoid potential anti-dumping import fees.

First Impressions and Unboxing

The UD matte finish with black decals is as understated as it gets. These wheels won’t tell anyone how much you paid for them, which I consider a feature.

Side by side with the Elitewheels ENT, you can see why the two get compared. Both use Pillar 1423 spokes, and the rim shapes aren’t far apart either. But these are two separate brands, and the hubs make that clear. 10Plus went with a star ratchet, while the ENT sticks with pawls. Plus (no pun intended) point for the ratchet system, as I find it more reliable and easier to maintain.

I was very pleased with the included quality control report, especially for wheels in this price range. Usually (with a few exceptions), it isn’t even included with higher-end wheels. It’s clear that 10Plus is serious about its operations and challenging competitors.

In-House Tests

Lateral and Radial Trueness

The lateral and radial trueness of these wheels was good. The front wheel was nearly perfect, while the rear wheel showed a slight deviation in one spot. Because of this slight deviation, I give the wheels a 4 out of 5 in this area. However, it doesn’t affect the ride at all.

10Plus T-Series 50mm ready on my wooden table for in-house QC testing.
10Plus T Series 50mm before my in-house QC testing

Spoke Tension

The spoke tension was surprisingly consistent, as you can see from the following two charts. No spoke was outside 5% of the average spoke tension. That’s incredible considering how cheap these wheels are.

Rim Centering (Dishing)

The dishing (measuring how well-centered the hub is) turned out close to perfect. The front wheel was centered perfectly, with no gap between the tool and the end cap. The rear wheel showed a tiny gap, but it was well within the tolerance for the highest score.

A Look Inside

Looking inside, I could see some wrinkles in the layup, and the surface wasn’t as clean as on more premium rims. It’s a visible sign of where costs were saved, though it doesn’t affect how the wheels ride.

The Difficulty of Putting the Tire On

Despite their low price, 10Plus wheels are tubeless-ready, and the tubeless rim tape came already applied from the factory. Valves were included in the box. I mounted my Tufo Comtura 4 TR 28mm tires and, this time, was able to get them on without tire levers. Seating them was just as straightforward; a regular floor pump was enough, no compressor needed.

Riding Experience

The T Series are “soft” wheels, and they don’t hide it. The steel Pillar 1423 spokes give them a forgiving character: They don’t jump forward when you get out of the saddle as carbon-spoked wheels do. On steep climbs, you feel some of the power is being lost in the system.

In exchange, they’re comfortable on rough roads, and once you get them up to speed on flats, they roll along happily and hold momentum well. Remember, we are talking about tiny differences here. You’ll get used to the new feel in no time unless you switch back and forth between both wheels.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because the Elitewheels ENT behave the same way. Two different brands arrived at nearly the same riding character, most likely because they are built with the same type of spokes, similar rims, and target the same budget.

The hub is where the comparison tips in favor of 10Plus. 36T ratchet means 10 degrees of engagement (the Elitewheels ENT use a pawl system that’s just a pain to maintain). They don’t pick up the drive immediately when you start pedaling, but it’s basically a gold standard on most road bike wheels. I also stress-tested them in a high-torque scenario when I pedaled slowly but put a high amount of power. They did not fail.

If you are still wondering which ones to choose, whether 10Plus T Series or Elitewheels ENT, the choice is clear: Go for the 10Plus T Series for the weight savings (~180g) and easier-to-maintain ratchet hubs.

Another thing worth mentioning is the crosswind stability and rim width. The internal one is only 21mm, and the external is 28mm (the 28mm Tufo Comtura 4TR 28mm tires inflate to ~30.3mm). That’s narrow considering today’s standard because they work best with 25-28mm tires. However, many riders already use 30mm or wider tires. I’m wondering how much more expensive these wheels would be if they had a 24mm internal and 30mm external width.

Luckily, these wheels handle crosswinds well. The U-shaped rim profile keeps them steady, despite the marketing claims of a V-shaped design. Their heavier weight also helps maintain momentum and hold a straight line. Speaking of weight, that’s also one of the things holding them back. They aren’t ideal for climbing or sudden speed changes because, along with the steel spokes, the responsiveness can’t match carbon-spoked wheels that weigh below 1300g.

This makes them best for people transitioning from aluminum to carbon wheels who don’t want to spend over $1000.

10Plus Wheels Alternatives

10Plus wheels have a few Chinese alternatives (price-wise). They compete with:

Reviewed WheelsetAverage
Score
Crosswind StabilityStiffness & ResponsivityRiding ComfortSpeed maintenanceTire On¹Lateral and
Radial Trueness
Spoke TensionRim CenteringPriceRim depthWeight
(F | R | Pair)
Rim Width
(I | E)
Note Buy
Toccay AERO 60 review4.345455455260mm563g, 663g, 1226g25.0mm
32.8mm
Fast, stiff, but not overly harsh wheels ideal for high-speed rides.Check Price
UPVINE Ultra D40 review4.055542455140mm446g, 538g, 984g23.3mm
29.6mm
Well-balanced wheels that thrive in high-mountains.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 10% OFF
UPVINE Pro+ 24.155452555153mm600g, 706g, 1306g25.5mm
34.0mm
Well-made and future-proof all-round wheels suitable for higher-speed rides.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 10% OFF
Particle GCX454.355543555245mm436g, 520g, 956g25.2mm
31.6mm
Extremely lightweight and responsive wheels.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 10% OFF
MovingSports SL12004.035442555350mm565g, 669g, 1234g21.3mm
29.0mm
Stiff and responsive, but not as stable in crosswinds.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 15% OFF
Nepest NOVA4.155443554245/55mm567g, 691g, 1258g23.4mm
29.6mm
Stiff, stable, and responsive, but might be too stiff for rough roads.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 8% OFF
Elitewheels DRIVE II4.255443455350mm602g, 720g, 1322g23.2mm
30.7mm
Stiff, stable, and responsive, but might be too stiff for rough roads.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 15% OFF
YOELEO NxT SL2 C604.244553455360mm623g, 736g, 1359g23.3mm
31.1mm
Great balance between speed, riding comfort, and stability.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 10% OFF
Farsports C54.254543554350mm602g, 726g, 1328g24.2mm
30.4mm
Great balance between stiffness, riding comfort, and stability.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 30 USD OFF
UPVINE Pro+4.255452555250mm661g, 768g, 1429g23.5mm
29.1mm
Great balance between stiffness, riding comfort, and stability.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 10 % OFF
Lún HYPER 34.155353555246/54mm598g, 766g, 1364g23.2mm
28.6mm
Better crosswind stability and comfort than HYPER 2023, but much higher price and no butterfly-weave finish.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 5% OFF
Elitewheels ENT3.842443444550mm828g, 950g, 1778g20.0mm
28.4mm
Heavy and soft but comfortable and good on flats and steady efforts.Check Price
Elitewheels EDGE3.843433354550mm633g, 720g, 1353g21.2mm
28.9mm
Comfortable, lightweight but relatively soft compared to carbon-spoked wheels.Check Price
Lún MEGA4.155255554146/54mm616g, 782g, 1398g20.8mm
28.1mm
The stiffest wheels I tested. Ideal for smooth roads or racing, but they are not comfortable.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 5% OFF
Lún HYPER SE 20234.345355554346/54mm654g, 803g, 1457g21.3mm
27.9mm
Better than HYPER 2020 in all aspects. I believe they provide better value for money than HYPER 23.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 5% OFF
Superteam All-Carbon Ultra 20234.644555555350mm633g, 769g, 1402g21.3mm
28.7mm
Not overly stiff, but responsive. Stable in crosswinds and ideal for most terrains, questionable reliability.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 5% OFF
Farsports Wave4.253455543445/50mm736g, 880g, 1616g21.0mm
28.7mm
Affordable, easy-to-service, unique-looking wheels suitable for flats and steady efforts.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB50 to get 50 USD OFF
Trifox WT113.842545433450mm769g, 874g, 1643g18.4mm
25.1mm
Affordable and comfortable, but not well assembled.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 8 % OFF
YOELEO C50|50 SAT DB PRO 20224.143444545450mm705g, 830g, 1535g18.5mm
25.5mm
Affordable and easy-to-service wheels suitable for flats and steady efforts but with too loud hubs.Check Price
Farsports Ventoux S4.055453444245mm637g, 755g, 1392g19.2mm
25.5mm
Stiff, responsive, and premium wheels suitable for most terrains.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 30 USD OFF
Elitewheels DRIVE 45mm Disc4.055343445345mm562g, 718g, 1280g21.4mm
28.8mm
Stiff, responsive, and lightweight wheels suitable for hilly and mountainous terrain. Not too fast on flats.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 15% OFF
Lún HYPER 50mm4.035355444350mm650g, 779g, 1429g19mm
26mm
Stiff, responsive, and lightweight wheels suitable for hilly and mountainous terrain. Not too stable in crosswinds.Check Price
Use code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 5% OFF
YOELEO C50|50 SAT DB PRO4.343454555450mm705g, 830g, 1535g18.5mm
25.5mm
Affordable and easy-to-service wheels suitable for flats and steady efforts.Check Price
My scoring of the Chinese carbon road bike wheels with a note and other technical details.
The scale for each feature is 1-5 points, where 5 is the best. The rating can be retrospectively adjusted based on the comparison with other wheelsets (more about this scoring).
SCROLL HORIZONTALLY FOR MORE INFO.
¹How difficult it is to put a Tufo Comtura 4 TR 28mm tubeless tire on and properly seat it.

My Verdict

The 10Plus T Series do exactly what a challenger should. They match the Elitewheels ENT where it matters, add a better hub, QC sheet, lower the weight, and compete in a segment where price is the whole argument. Whether they win that argument depends on what you’re looking for exactly, but for me, the winner is clear.

I recommend them to riders moving up from aluminum wheels who spend most of their time on flats and rolling hills, value comfort over responsiveness, and would rather put the saved money into good tires that make a greater speed difference anyway.

These wheels are not suitable for climbers. They also don’t meet or exceed today’s standards, and they don’t pretend to. They’re for riders who want their first carbon wheels without spending over $1000.

I hope you found this review helpful. If you did, please consider clicking the link below. It’s the best way to support this website. Thank you very much in advance.

10Plus Wheels FAQ

The product for this review was kindly provided by the manufacturer. This did not influence my overall verdict or my opinion about the product. You can learn more about how I approach reviews here.

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