The 13 Best Road Bike Wheels From Low to High-End (Ultimate Buyer’s Guide)

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I also have experience with some of the wheelsets included. Yes, I only tested some of them because big brands don’t sponsor me (yet, haha).

If you have no idea which wheels to choose, don’t worry. Feel free to read my guide on choosing the right wheels based on your needs and riding preferences.

Let’s dive in.

What Are the Best Carbon Road Bike Wheels?

Skip to the comparison table…

The best carbon road bike wheels meet quality standards like ISO 4210, are UCI-approved, or are certified by 3rd party authorities.

They also should provide the right combination of weight, stiffness, aerodynamics, and durability, depending on your preferences, riding style, and the terrain you ride in the most often.

Read my buyer’s guide to learn more (e.g., how carbon wheels differ from aluminum wheels, etc.).

Lún HYPER SE (Best Value Road Bike Wheels)

Wheels that provide the best price-value ratio from Lún offer…

My HYPER SE wheels scoring at a glance:
Crosswind Stability 4/5 | Stiffness 5/5 | Riding Comfort 3/5 | Speed Maintenance 5/5 | Tire On 5/5 | Trueness 5/5 | Spoke Tension 5/5 | Dishing 4/5 | Price 3/5 | OVERALL 4.3/5
More about this road wheels scoring.

Lún HYPER SE are 99% the same as HYPER. They are just $300 cheaper, have steel bearings (instead of ceramic ones), and a matte finish. The differences in weight are marginal. That’s why I believe the HYPER SE 23 provide better value for money than HYPERs.

I enjoyed the stiffness of HYPER SE wheels and their momentum on flats. Sometimes, they are too stiff, especially if the roads are bad. But you can compensate for this stiffness with lower tire pressures.

They don’t have the best crosswind stability, but staying alert shouldn’t be a problem.

You can choose between rim or disc brake options and various rim depths (D33, D45, D67). In the D45 and D67 options, the front wheel is shallower than the rear wheel.

Also available at lunwheels.cc

Zipp 303 S and 303 Firecrest

When it comes to mainstream wheel manufacturers, Zipp is among the first that most people think of.

Zipp’s 303 ‘S’ and ‘Firecrest’ series are some of the most popular due to their versatility, durability, and performance.

These wheelsets are not only perfect for road cycling but also for gravel. Their wider rim widths make them suitable for wider gravel tires.

The main difference between the ‘S’ and ‘Firecrest’ series is that the S series is more affordable but slightly heavier. According to Zipp, the Firecrest series is the best they offer, and their wheels are faster.

Another notable feature is the hookless design of the rim bed. It offers several benefits, such as lower weight, a better transition between the rim and tire, and a lower risk of blow-off at high pressures*. Note that you also need to buy hookless-compatible tires.

*The maximum allowed pressure is 72.5 PSI. (Source)

Buying Zipp wheels is a status symbol since they are more expensive than many other brands. Furthermore, they have a lifetime warranty. However, their price-value ratio is still often questioned.

Farsports Ventoux S (My Back-up Wheels)

Premium wheels backed up with clever engineering…

My Ventoux S wheels scoring at a glance:
Crosswind Stability 5/5 | Stiffness 5/5 | Riding Comfort 4/5 | Speed Maintenance 5/5 | Tire On 3/5 | Trueness 4/5 | Spoke Tension 4/5 | Dishing 4/5 | Price 2/5 | OVERALL 4.0/5
More about this road wheels scoring.

Farsports has been specializing in developing and manufacturing carbon wheels since 2004. I bought and reviewed their Ventoux S wheels. So, how did they perform?

NOTE: Farsports Ventoux S series went through slight refinements. For example, their F and R rim depths differ.

They feel stiffer and more stable in crosswinds than HYPERs. They can also maintain their momentum well. I find them ideal for criteriums and racing but also for day-to-day riding. Despite their stiffness, they are pretty comfortable, and I love riding them.

On the other hand, the unboxing experience was not as premium (as with HYPERs), and I also found some spokes tension inconsistencies.

Hambini, a former aerospace engineer and aerodynamics expert, tested the S EVO, and the results were pretty positive (for Farsports).

Farsports Ventoux S are available for rim or disc brakes and in various rim depths. You should not miss them if you want a pair of high-quality and premium Chinese carbon wheels.

Are these wheelsets too expensive for you? Check out the best road bike wheelsets for under $1000.

Shimano Dura-Ace

Shimano is a leading manufacturer of bike components and accessories, including wheels, often used by pros in the World Tour.

Their best line is the Dura-Ace, which includes the popular Dura-Ace R9270 C50 carbon disc wheels. They are 50mm deep but are also available in different rim depths.

It needs to be said that the R9270 line introduced in 2021 includes 12-speed freehubs, new rim profiles, and other improvements compared to previous generations.

Elitewheels DRIVE (Best Road Bike Wheels for Climbing)

Responsive, lightweight, and crosswinds-stable wheels for a surprisingly low price…

My DRIVE wheels scoring at a glance:
Crosswind Stability 5/5 | Stiffness 5/5 | Riding Comfort 3/5 | Speed Maintenance 4/5 | Tire On 3/5 | Trueness 4/5 | Spoke Tension 4/5 | Dishing 5/5 | Price 3/5 | OVERALL 4.0/5
More about this road wheels scoring.

If you’re looking for lightweight, responsive, and affordable road bike wheels, the Elitewheels DRIVE are worth considering. These are my go-to climbing wheels I used in the Dolomites.

Fun fact: Their disc brake option is lighter than the rim brake option!

I tested the 45mm version, which has since been discontinued to simplify their lineup. You can now choose from 40mm, 50mm, or 65mm options.

The 50mm disc brake version weighs only 1300g (1315g for the rim brake version), making them extremely agile and responsive, perfect for punchers, climbers, or crit racers. They feel like sports cars. (I am guessing here because I’ve never ridden one.)

DRIVE wheels come with in-house designed hubs, carbon spokes, and ceramic bearings. You’ll appreciate their unique raw-carbon finish if you like to stand out.

I find them stable in crosswinds, almost as stable as the heavier YOELEO SAT PRO (2022). However, they don’t maintain speed as well due to their lower inertia, so they’re not the best choice for time trials, steady efforts, or flat roads.

Another thing I like about them is the wider external rim width of 28mm. It sets these wheels apart, making them more suitable for the increasingly popular 28 and 30mm tires.

They come with pre-installed tubeless rim tape to save you some time installing it, valves, and spare spokes.

YOELEO NxT SL2 (Excellent Price-Value)

Surprisingly capable yet affordable wheels…

My SAT PRO 2022 wheels scoring at a glance:
Crosswind Stability 4/5 | Stiffness 3/5 | Riding Comfort 4/5 | Speed Maintenance 4/5 | Tire On 4/5 | Trueness 5/5 | Spoke Tension 4/5 | Dishing 5/5 | Price 4/5 | OVERALL 4.1/5
More about this road wheels scoring.

YOELEO produces UCI-approved, quality, easily serviceable, and reasonably priced wheels that you can use in official UCI events. I tested the C50|50 PRO wheels with DT Swiss 350 hubs and the PRO 2022 with YOELEO 230 S hubs. My experience with these wheelsets was that they were almost perfectly true and well-made.

Then, YOELEO introduced NxT and NxT SL2. They lowered the weight and increased the rim width. I’m awaiting the delivery of the NxT SL2 50mm, so the above rating is for the PRO 2022 wheels. However, I expect the NxT SL2 will surpass it. Thanks to an average 200g lower weight, they will feel more lively and accelerate faster.

Unlike many other Chinese manufacturers, YOELEO kept the steel Black Pillar WING 20 Aero spokes. I guess this is because of better serviceability, lower costs, and better riding comfort.

If you are interested, you can watch my review of the previous generation wheels below.

I hope the current YOELEO hubs won’t be as loud as the previous generation. They had the most annoying hub sound I’ve ever heard. Stay tuned; I will update this text once I try these wheels.

FLO 64 AS

I think every brand should follow FLO’s lead. Their main added value is that they publish data about their wheels.

For example, their 64 AS wheels only absorb 22.02 W with Continental GP 5000 tires at 22mph. In comparison, Mavic Open Pro Disc wheels absorb 30.94 W. Unfortunately, there aren’t many data samples to compare this value to.

These wheels feature in-house designed FLO Vortex 3 hubs with Japanese bearings and Sapim CX-Ray spokes. They are aero-optimized for 25mm, 28mm, and 32mm tires, and FLO even recommends using Continental GP 5000 tires.

The FLO website provides a detailed guide with recommended tire pressures based on tire width, weight, and pavement type. It’s useful and unique.

Aside from the performance benefits of their wheels, you will feel good about your purchase. FLO donates 1% of its sales to the Bike For A Kid program, which purchases bikes and helmets for kids in need. FLO also plants one tree for every wheel sold.

The AS series is available in other rim depths (49 and 77mm), and you can choose the sticker color.

The main disadvantage of these wheels is their higher weight, making them unsuitable for climbers but perfect for time trialists, triathletes, and flat terrain riders.

ICAN AERO 40mm Wheelset

Looking for an affordable yet aero and lightweight wheelset? Look no further than ICAN’s AERO series.

ICAN is a trusted Chinese manufacturer with several wheelset series, and the AERO is their flagship offering.

You can trust in the quality and safety of ICAN wheels as they undergo rigorous internal testing and QA, and the AERO series is even UCI-approved for use in official events.

With options for both rim and disc brakes and rim depths ranging from 35 to 55mm, you can choose the perfect set for your riding style and preferences.

The wheelset comes with QR and brake pads (rim brake option), but unfortunately, the disc brake option doesn’t include thru-axles.

Choose from ICAN R01 or Novatec hubs, both of which perform similarly. Additionally, you get a 2-year warranty and a 15% discount if you crash with these wheels.

Honorable Mentions

Many also mention the following brands and models as being among the best. Unfortunately, due to their high purchase price, I have no personal experience with them.

• DT Swiss ARC series
• Roval Rapide
• Cadex wheels

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Product	Weight ±15g	Type	Brakes	Warranty	Price Range	Buy
Lún HYPER SE	from 1348g	Clincher*	Rim or Disc	2 years	$	Check Price Use ‘CYCLISTSHUB10‘ code to get 10% off
Zipp 303 S	1538g	Clincher*	Rim or Disc	Lifetime	$$	Check Price
Zipp 303 Firecrest	1355g	Clincher*	Rim or Disc	Lifetime	$$$	Check Price
Farsports Ventoux-S	from 1290g	Clincher*	Rim or Disc	2 years	$$$	Check Price Use ‘CYCLISTSHUB150‘ code to get 150 USD off
Shimano Dura-Ace R9270 C50	1461g	Clincher*	Disc	3 years	$$$	Check Price
Elitewheels DRIVE	from 1260g	Clincher*	Rim or Disc	3 years	$$	Check Price Use ‘CYCLISTSHUB‘ code to get 15 %
YOELEO C50|50 NxT SL2 (Disc)	1320g	Clincher*	Disc	3 years	$	Check Price
FLO 64 AS (Disc)	1878g	Clincher*	Disc	2 years	$$	Check Price
FLO 64 AS (Rim)	1676g	Clincher*	Rim	2 years	$$	Check Price
ICAN AERO 40mm (Disc)	1360g	Clincher*	Disc	2 years	$	Check Price Check Price (icancycling.com)
ICAN AERO 40mm (Rim)	1355g	Clincher*	Rim	2 years	$	Check Price

List of the best carbon road bike wheels that includes info about their weight, type, brake type, warranty, and price range.
All wheels are UCI-approved except for Farsports Ventoux S. This wheelset meets (and exceeds) ISO 4210 safety standards.
*Tubeless-ready

What Are the Best Aluminum Road Bike Wheels?

The best aluminum road bike wheels meet all necessary quality and safety standards, are durable, stiff, and have shallow rims of around 25mm. Aim for a weight as low as 1500g.

Click here to learn more about aluminum wheels and how they differ from carbon wheels.

Skip to the comparison table…

Shimano Ultegra WH-RS500

Shimano is a top manufacturer of groupsets, and their wheels are among the best on the market.

The Ultegra WH-RS500, released in 2019, are excellent aluminum wheels for climbers and riders who want durable, high-quality wheels.

Thanks to their well-designed construction, these wheels not only look great, but they will also last for years with minimal maintenance.

They are also tubeless compatible, so you can use them with tubeless tires and keep up with the latest trends.

Considering their price and the positive reviews from riders who have used them for thousands of miles, it’s hard to find better wheels than these.

Also available at jensonusa.com

Fulcrum Racing 3 C17

Fulcrum has been manufacturing bicycle wheels since 2004. They have multiple road bike wheelset series with varying numbers. The lower the number, the higher the quality of the wheels.

The Racing 3 is a mid-range wheelset series, perfect for riders who want to upgrade their stock wheels or are looking for spare training wheels.

Owners claim these wheels are reliable, durable, and have reasonable performance. Moreover, they weigh about 100g less than Shimano Ultegra WH-RS500.

You can select the freehub body for Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo cassettes according to your groupset.

Fulcrum offers a 2-year warranty against any manufacturing defects.

Also available at tredz.co.uk

TIP: See these best budget road bike wheels.

HUNT 4 Season Disc

HUNT, established in the UK in 2015, is gaining popularity due to its direct-to-consumer model. This allows them to offer quality products at competitive prices.

One of their most popular models is the HUNT 4 Season Disc wheelset. It’s affordable, versatile, and durable.

This wheelset is compatible with tubeless tires and is also used on gravel bikes as it can fit up to 45mm tires and is durable.

The extended warranty, 60-day ride & return policy, and crash replacement program are nice bonuses.

Another noteworthy feature is the reflective decal, which improves visibility and safety in low-light conditions.

The main drawback of this wheelset is the weight limit of 100kg (220lb).

Included with the wheels are tape, valves, spare spokes, and axle adapters.

HED Ardennes RA PRO Disc

HED is an experienced bicycle wheel company that has been designing and manufacturing wheels since 1984.

They offer a variety of wheel types, from low-end for amateurs to high-end for pros.

The Ardennes RA PRO series is a mid-range line of wheels, ideal for riders who need road bike wheels that can handle rougher terrain like gravel or forest roads.

The rims of this disc wheelset are tubeless-ready, so you can use them with tubeless tires.

The in-house designed HED Sonic 510 hubs are connected to the rims with Sapim Sprint Round spokes for efficient power transfer and durability.

The major drawback of this wheelset is its higher price than most alloy wheels on this list. However, you do get an extended 5-year warranty.

Campagnolo Shamal Ultra C17

Campagnolo is known for not only its groupsets but also its wheels.

The Shamal Ultra C17 wheelset is a great upgrade from stock wheels. Its weight of around 1450g makes it ideal for climbers.

Campagnolo achieved this lightweight design by using in-house designed carbon hubs and ceramic bearings.

Although you can choose a Shimano and SRAM compatible freehub, I do not recommend mixing Campagnolo wheels with a Shimano groupset – it would look odd.

Unfortunately, unlike the HUNT 4 Seasons, HED Ardennes, or Shimano Ultegra WH-RS500, these wheels are not tubeless compatible.

The Ultra C17 wheels are also available for rim brakes only. They come with a QR and a 2-year warranty.

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Wheels	Weight ±15g	Type	Brakes	Warranty	Buy
Shimano Ultegra WH-RS500 Road Wheelset	1649g	Clincher*	Rim	2 years	Check Price Check Price (jensonusa.com)
Fulcrum Racing 3 C17	1560g	Clincher	Rim	2 years	Check Price
Hunt 4 Season Disc Wheelset	1579g	Clincher*	Disc	3 years	Check Price
HED Ardennes RA PRO	1540g	Clincher*	Disc	5 years	Check Price
Campagnolo Shamal Ultra C17 Wheelset	1449g	Clincher	Rim	2 years	Check Price

List of the best aluminum road bike wheels that includes info about their weight, type, brake type, and warranty. *Tubeless-ready

My Verdict

When purchasing new road bike wheels, there are many factors to consider. For instance, you may prioritize brand or performance based on your preferences.

I suggest considering wheelsets from lesser-known or Chinese brands to get the best value for your money.

Mainstream brands often charge higher prices due to their marketing efforts and sponsorships of professional cycling teams. However, purchasing from these brands may also provide a sense of social status.

How to Choose the Best Road Bike Wheels?

Buying a new wheelset for your road bike can be a significant investment, so choosing wisely is essential.

Here’s my consolidated guide on how to choose the right road bike wheels.

Material: Carbon vs. Aluminum

When it comes to road bike wheels, you have the option of choosing either carbon or aluminum wheels.

But how do they differ, and which is better suited to your needs? Here’s a table of pros and cons to help you decide.

Wheels (Rims) Material	Pros	Cons
Aluminum (or Alloy)	• More affordable¹ • Better braking performance in wet conditions or long descents (rim brakes) • More durable	• Heavier than carbon wheels • Not as stiff (assuming the same rim weight) • Less aero
Carbon	• Lighter • Stiffer • More aero (widely available in various rim depths) • Look cool	• Less affordable² • Worse braking performance in wet conditions or long descents (rim brakes) • The braking track of the rim brake carbon wheels wears off over time. • Less durable

This table compares the pros and cons of aluminum vs. carbon road bike wheels.
¹The price of aluminum wheels ranges from dozens of dollars to $1500.
²The price of carbon wheels starts from around $300 and can easily exceed $2000.
Please, keep in mind that these price ranges may vary. I included them to give beginners a better idea of what they can expect.
Source: cyclistshub.com

NOTE: There are also wheels with carbon rims and aluminum brake tracks. They are lighter than standard aluminum wheels and provide better braking performance than full carbon rims.

Brake Type: Disc vs. Rim

To further narrow down your options, you can choose between disc or rim brake wheels.

Disc brake wheels use a thru-axle (also called through-axle), while rim brake wheels quick-release skewer.

You can measure your thru-axle dimensions with a caliper and meter or refer to your bike’s manual to determine its dimensions.

Fun Fact: Did you know that around 85% of new road bikes in 2021 were equipped with disc brakes? (Source)

Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless

Another imaginary filter that narrows down the available options is the type of wheels/tires.

I summarized their advantages and disadvantages in the following table.

Wheel/Tire	Pros	Cons
Clincher	• Easy to replace • Easy to repair	• More prone to puncture • Heavier than tubular or tubeless
Tubular	• Allows very low and high tire pressure • Less prone to puncture • Lightweight	• Difficult to replace • Difficult to repair • More expensive than clincher
Tubeless	• Allows lower tire pressure • Self-repairing capability (sealant fills out small holes, quality sealant required)	• Tricky installation without an air compressor • Difficult to replace • Difficult to repair • More expensive than clincher

Pros & cons of clincher, tubular, and tubeless wheels/tires
Sources: cyclistshub.com, theproscloset.com, cyclingtips.com

Clincher

Clincher wheels are the most common type. They use an inner tube made of rubber or latex, which supports the tire that sits in the rim bed.

Clincher wheels are easy to maintain because you can easily replace the inner tube when you get a puncture.

Road bike tires for clincher wheels are also cheaper than tubular or tubeless tires. However, they are heavier than tubular wheels, and you cannot inflate them to as low pressures as tubular or clincher tubeless tires.

Tubular

Tubular tires have no inner tube inside. They are glued onto the rims and inflated directly. They are popular among pro riders, but very few hobby cyclists use them.

Tubular wheels allow you to inflate lower pressures, which provides better riding comfort and puncture resistance. They are also lighter than clincher wheels because they don’t have a rim sidewall.

The main downside of tubular wheels is that replacing the tire is more complicated and messy than replacing a clincher tire or inner tube.

Tubeless

Road tubeless tires are becoming increasingly popular. They do not use an inner tube like standard clinchers.

Instead, they use a tubeless tire that ensures the air won’t leak when the rims are tubeless-ready.

They are also filled with a sealant that seals any possible gaps and fills out small holes that may occur after a puncture.

Tubeless tires are lower-pressure friendly, which makes them more comfortable and less prone to puncture. However, they are more expensive than standard clincher tires.

Rim Depth: The Deeper, The More Aero

Rim depth is one of the most important features of wheels that influence aerodynamics and weight. The equation is simple:

THE DEEPER THE RIMS = THE MORE AERO = THE HIGHER WEIGHT

Rim depths of around 45mm are the most versatile as they are aero while still being reasonably lightweight. They are suitable for flats and hilly terrain, and you can climb with them easily too.

However, if you’re a pure climber and want a bike that’s as light as possible, look for shallow rims (around 25mm).

The following video by aerodynamics expert Hambini is a must-watch for all enthusiasts who want to learn more about wheel aerodynamics.

Rim Width: The Trend Is Clear, Go Wider

The rim width also affects, among other things, how wide the tires you can fit on the bike and the tire-rim transition (aerodynamics).

In general, wider tires with large air volume are more comfortable. Previously, narrow tires (19mm or 20mm) were used on the road. However, studies have shown that wider rims and tires (25 and 28mm) are faster, more comfortable, and more efficient. From about 2023 onwards, it started to become trendy to ride 30 to 32-mm tires and, therefore, wider rims.

I can’t get enough of the transition from 25mm to 28mm. In the future, I want to try 32mm and see their effect on comfort and speed. Greater ride comfort with wider tires is mainly due to more air volume and lower pressures. Remember that a more pressurized tire does not necessarily mean lower rolling resistance! This is a widespread myth. You can learn more about the benefits of wider tires here. I also recommend the Silca tire pressure calculator to determine the ideal pressure.

Hooked vs. Hookless

When buying road bike wheels, you may encounter so-called hooked and hookless rims.

Hookless rims are not very common in road cycling compared to mountain biking. They may not securely hold the tire due to the high pressures used in road cycling, which increases the risk of blow-off.

Additionally, not every road bike tire is compatible with hookless rims. As a result, many riders do not consider the advantages, such as the better transition between the rim and the tire and lower manufacturing costs, worth the downsides. (Source)

Weight: Lighter Doesn’t Always Mean Better

How much should a good road bike wheelset weigh?

While the lightest carbon road bike wheels can weigh under 1000g, such as the Meilestein Obermayer from Lightweight, a more realistic expectation is between 1300 and 1700g (for 50mm rims).

Cheaper aluminum road bike wheels weigh around 2000g, while the more expensive ones weigh around 1500g.

Check out my road bike wheels weight market research to learn more.

Remember, lighter wheels are not always better. They tend to be less stable in crosswinds and don’t maintain speed as well as heavier wheels. So, consider your riding style and the terrain you ride in most often.

Hubs: Choose Wisely!

The hub is the heart of a wheel, so it must be of high quality. Established and experienced companies like DT Swiss or Novatec make quality hubs, so you can’t go wrong with them.

However, many wheel brands have started designing their hubs in-house. If a brand takes this step, it says much about its expertise and experience. However, eventual repair or bearing replacement might be more difficult. Remember that some manufacturers buy 3rd party hubs and just slap their logo on them.

Another question is whether paying a premium for ceramic bearings is necessary. Based on this comparison of the pros and cons of ceramic vs. steel bearings, I don’t think so, but I will leave the final decision up to you.

Stiffness

Stiffness is one of the most abstract features of wheels. It can be quantified, but how do you know if one wheel is 5% stiffer than the other without measuring it? Can you really notice the difference?

When it comes to stiffness, if you ride on a super smooth racing circuit-like surface, the stiffer, the better, but most of us are unlucky, and our local roads are bumpy and full of potholes.

In that case, it’s good if the wheels aren’t too stiff. They can better absorb vibrations, and the ride is then more comfortable.

Ultimately, it also boils down to your weight and personal preference. Heavier riders should go for stiffer wheels so that when they ride out of the saddle (or accelerate), the wheels won’t flex.

My experience is that carbon-spoked wheels are stiffer and less comfortable than steel-spoked ones. Read more below.

Spokes: Rounded or Bladed? Steel or Carbon?

There are multiple spoke types shape- and material-wise.

For more information, you can read my in-depth article comparing the benefits and disadvantages of carbon and steel spokes or watch the following video.

Nipples: From Exposed to Hidden

Once marginal gains stack up, they make a difference. One of these marginal gains is how far are the spoke nipples exposed.

Brand: Should You Even Care?

When speaking of a brand, I want you to realize the following:

“The brand is part of the price.”

Established, popular brands are more expensive because they invest heavily in marketing and sponsorships.

As a result, the cost of these activities is passed on to us. Brands are more expensive on average than less-known wheel manufacturers.

However, the quality of wheels from less-known or Chinese brands can be just as good as those from mainstream brands that cost more.

So, if you’re not attached to a particular brand, consider looking at less-known alternatives.

Did you know?
Some bike/accessories brands also have wheel (sub)brands, such as Roval from Specialized, Zipp from SRAM, Bontrager from Trek, and Lún from Winspace.

What’s in the Package?

When buying rim brake wheels, ensure they come with four braking pads and quick-release skewers.

Deep-section wheels should come with tubeless valves or valve extenders for inflating the tubes/tires.

Wheelsets should also come with tubeless rim tape and spare spokes. The spare spokes can be handy if one or more spokes fail, such as when hitting a deep pothole.

Extra Services (Warranty, Crash Replacement, etc.)

When spending a significant amount of money on new wheels, it’s important to have a warranty. Most manufacturers offer at least a 2-year warranty, with some offering extended warranties of up to a lifetime.

Crash replacement programs, which provide a discount on your next wheelset if you crash with the current one, are a nice bonus if available.

Choose a brand with helpful and reliable customer support in case you need assistance.

Cassette Compatibility

When ordering a wheelset, choose a freehub body based on your groupset. The most common freehub types are Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo. Shimano and SRAM 11spd groupsets have compatible cassettes, while the 12speed groupsets require different freehubs.

Road Bike Wheels FAQ

This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please contact me.

Preview picture: Sirotti (edited)