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These are the best road bike wheels for under $1000. This roundup includes lightweight & aero wheelsets for rim and disc brakes.
So whether you are a climber, rouleur, or time trialist, you will find the wheels here. I selected them based on riders’ experiences worldwide. I included wheels from mainstream, less-known, and Chinese brands.
The following wheels stand out from the rest:
- The best road bike wheels under $1000 for climbers are the Farsports Kaze 25mm Wheelset. They combine low weight (1420g, disc brake version) with excellent stiffness and responsivity. Use discount code ‘CYCLISTSHUB50‘ to get 50 USD OFF your purchase.
- The best road bike wheels under $1000 overall are Elitewheels DRIVE 50mm (also available for rim brakes). They weigh around 1300g, come with carbon spokes, preinstalled tubeless rim tape and valves, and are stiff. Use discount code ‘CYCLISTSHUB‘ to get 15% OFF your purchase.
- The best aero road bike wheels under $1000 are Lún HYPER SE 65mm (also available for rim brakes). High stiffness, excellent aerodynamics, carbon spokes. Just like HYPER 2020, just with steel spokes. Use discount code ‘CYCLISTSHUB10‘ to get 10% OFF your purchase.
I describe their features, pros, and cons below.
If this will be your first wheelset upgrade, make sure to take advantage of my buyer’s guide.
What Are the Best Road Bike Wheels Under $1000?
The best road bike wheels under $1000 are mostly carbon, but you will also find high-quality, lightweight aluminum wheels at this price point. Depending on your riding style, choose shallow or deeper rims to maximize their performance benefits.
To learn more about choosing road bike wheels under $1000, check out the buyer’s guide section.
Most Lightweight

Use this Wheelsfar (Farsports) discount code CYCLISTSHUB50 at www.wheelsfar.com during checkout to get 50 USD OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Best Overall

Use this Elitewheels discount code CYCLISTSHUB at elite-wheels.com on the checkout page to get 15% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Also available for rim brakes
Best Aero

Use this Winspace discount code CYCLISTSHUB10 at winspace.cc or lunwheels.cc during checkout to get 10% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Also available for rim brakes
Elitewheels DRIVE (Best Overall)





They are a little above the $1000 mark, but with my ‘CYCLISTSHUB’ discount code, you get much closer to it.
Use this Elitewheels discount code CYCLISTSHUB at elite-wheels.com on the checkout page to get 15% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Farsports Kaze 25mm Wheelset (Best Lightweight)

Main Features
- Unmatched price-value ratio
- Highly customizable
- Tubeless-ready
- Meet ISO 4210 quality standards
- 2-year warranty
Technical Specification
- Brake Type: Rim or Disc
- Tires Type: Clincher (tubeless-ready)
- Weight: 1420g (disc), 1380g (rim)
- Rim width: 26mm (external)
- Rim depth: 25mm (more rim depths available)
- Rider’s weight limit: 120kg (265lb)
If you haven’t heard of Farsports, this Chinese brand is worth your attention. They have been designing and manufacturing carbon wheels since 2008 and are popular in Asian markets.
Farsports wheels are gaining popularity in the US and European markets due to their unbeatable price-value ratio.
The Kaze series comes with DT Swiss 350 hubs and Sapim CX-Ray spokes and can be customized with options like rim depth, rim finish, freehub type, and nipple choice.
Additionally, the Kaze series is available in multiple rim widths, so you can choose a wider width for gravel or CX.
The biggest drawback of Farsports wheels is that they are shipped from China, so delivery can take a few weeks. Plus, assembly time can take up to two weeks, so I recommend ordering them before the season.
It’s worth noting that Farsports wheels are not UCI-approved since the company has not applied for this certification. However, the wheels meet ISO 4210 quality standards.
Use this Wheelsfar (Farsports) discount code CYCLISTSHUB50 at www.wheelsfar.com during checkout to get 50 USD OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Lún HYPER SE (Best Aero)

Main Features
- Available in multiple rim depths
- Carbon spokes
- Very stiff
- Good crosswinds stability
- Spare spokes, tubeless valves, valve extenders included
- 2-year warranty
Technical Specification
- Brake Type: Rim & Disc
- Tires Type: Clincher (tubeless-ready)
- Weight:
- Rim brake: 38mm 1277g, 50mm 1364g, 65mm 1498g
- Disc brake: 38mm 1404g, 50mm 1470g, 65mm 1628g
- Rim width: 19mm (internal), 26mm (external)
- Rim depth: 65mm (more rim depths available – 35 and 50mm)
- Rider’s weight limit: 135kg (297lb)
Following the enormous success of the HYPER 2020 wheels, Lún introduced HYPER 2023 and HYPER SE in 2022.
The HYPER SE wheels offer the best features of the 2020 HYPERs, such as stiffness, carbon spokes, and unique rim finish, at a more affordable price point. However, they come with steel bearings instead of ceramic ones.
Is this a significant drawback? Not necessarily. Many people doubt the longevity of ceramic bearings, so the HYPER SE wheels may be a better choice for them.
You can choose from rim or disc brake options and various rim depths. The 65mm deep HYPERs are among the fastest wheels on the market and have been independently tested by engineer Hambini.
Since nothing except the hubs has changed, I’m confident that the HYPER SE wheels will also be very fast.
The price of these wheels is already very tempting, and with my 10% discount, they’re a no-brainer.
Use this Winspace discount code CYCLISTSHUB10 at winspace.cc or lunwheels.cc during checkout to get 10% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
YOELEO SAT C50|50 DB PRO Wheelset





Main Features
- UCI-approved
- Tubeless-ready
- Simple and clean design
- Maintain their speed well
- Comfortable to ride
- Available in multiple rim depths
- 3-year warranty
Technical Specification
- Brake Type: Rim & Disc
- Tires Type: Clincher (tubeless-ready)
- Weight: 1560g (disc and rim)
- Rim width: Optionable (23, 25, 27mm)
- Rim depth: 50mm (more rim depths available)
- Rider’s weight limit: 105kg (231lb)
YOELEO is a well-established Chinese manufacturer that produces high-quality carbon wheels, framesets, and accessories.
Their wheels are UCI-approved, so you can rest assured that there won’t be any issues with quality or safety. I can also confirm the great assembly quality based on my in-depth review.
I prefer using these wheels on flat and rolling terrain because they maintain their speed perfectly and are very stable in crosswinds, thanks to their weight and design.
They are a little softer than carbon-spoked wheels, making riding on harsh roads more comfortable.
By the way, Hambini tested YOELEO wheels, and they outperformed some more expensive wheels from mainstream brands.
YOELEO wheelsets come with a 3-year warranty, one pair of titanium QR + ceramic brake pads (rim), two extra spokes, and valve extenders.
Use this YOELEO discount code CYCLISTSHUB on yoeleobike.com during checkout to get 10% OFF your purchase. It’s also applicable to YOELEO Canada, Europe, and Japan. Share this code via email.
Also available at yoeleoeurope.com and yoeleocanada.com
Also available at yoeleoeurope.com
Campagnolo Shamal Ultra C17

Main Features
- UCI-Approved
- Lightweight – ideal for climbers
- Aluminum rims
- Carbon hubs
- 2-year warranty
Technical Specification
- Brake Type: Rim
- Tires Type: Clincher
- Weight: 1449g
- Rim width: 22.5mm (ideal for 25/28mm tires)
- Rim depth: 27mm (front), 30mm (rear)
- Rider’s weight limit: 120kg (265lb)
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.
Don’t mind spending a little bit more? Check out this selection of the best road bike wheels on the market.
ICAN AERO 40mm Wheelset

Main Features
- UCI-approved
- Tubeless-ready
- Available in multiple rim depths
- Lightweight
- 2-year warranty
- 15% crash replacement
Technical Specification
- Brake Type: Rim & Disc
- Tires Type: Clincher (tubeless-ready)
- Weight: 1360g (disc), 1355g (rim)
- Rim width: 18.4 (internal), 25mm (external)
- Rim depth: 40mm (more rim depths available)
- Rider’s weight limit: 105kg (231lb)
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.
Use this ICAN discount code CYCLISTSHUB on www.icancycling.com during checkout to get 5% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Also available at icancycling.com
Fulcrum Racing 3 C17

Main Features
- Ideal for climbers
- Highly durable
- 2-year warranty
Technical Specification
- Brake Type: Rim
- Tires Type: Clincher
- Weight: 1560g
- Rim width: 22.5mm
- Rim depth: 27mm (front), 30mm (rear)
- Rider’s weight limit: 109kg (240lb)
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.
Farsports Wave





You can read my in-depth review for more info.
Use this Wheelsfar (Farsports) discount code CYCLISTSHUB50 at www.wheelsfar.com during checkout to get 50 USD OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.
Wheels | Weight ±15g | Type | Brakes | Warranty | UCI-approved | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Farsports Kaze 25mm (Disc) | 1420g | Clincher* | Disc | 2 years | No | Check Price Use code 'CYCLISTSHUB50' to get 50 USD off |
Farsports Kaze 25mm (Rim) | 1380g | Clincher* | Rim | 2 years | No | Check Price Use code 'CYCLISTSHUB50' to get 50 USD off |
Elitewheels DRIVE 50mm (Disc) | 1300g | Clincher* | Disc | 3 years | No | Check Price Use the 'CYCLISTSHUB' discount code to get 15% off |
Elitewheels DRIVE 50mm (Rim) | 1315g | Clincher* | Rim | 3 years | No | Check Price Use the 'CYCLISTSHUB' discount code to get 15% off |
Lún HYPER SE (Disc) | 1628g | Clincher* | Disc | 2 years | Yes | Check Price Use the 'CYCLISTSHUB' discount code to get 10% off |
Lún HYPER SE (Rim) | 1498g | Clincher* | Rim | 2 years | Yes | Check Price Use the 'CYCLISTSHUB' discount code to get 10% off |
YOELEO SAT C50|50 DB PRO (Disc) | 1560g | Clincher* | Disc | 3 years | Yes | Check Price Check Price (yoeleobike.com) |
YOELEO SAT C50|50 PRO (Rim) | 1560g | Clincher* | Rim | 3 years | Yes | Check Price Check Price (yoeleoeurope.com) |
Campagnolo Shamal Ultra C17 | 1449g | Clincher | Rim | 2 years | Yes | Check Price |
ICAN AERO 40mm (Disc) | 1360g | Clincher* | Disc | 2 years | Yes | Check Price Check Price (icancycling.com) |
ICAN AERO 40mm (Rim) | 1355g | Clincher* | Rim | 2 years | Yes | Check Price |
Fulcrum Racing 3 C17 | 1560g | Clincher | Rim | 2 years | Yes | Check Price |
Farsports Wave | from 1580g up to 1660g | Clincher* | Rim or Disc | 2 years | Yes | Check Price Use code 'CYCLISTSHUB50' to get 50 USD off |
*Tubeless-ready
My Verdict
Based on my research and evaluating owners’ reviews, the following wheels are worth buying:
- Farsports Kaze 25mm Wheelset (also available for rim brakes) – the best lightweight carbon road bike wheels under $1000. Use discount code ‘CYCLISTSHUB50‘ to get 50 USD OFF your purchase. Thanks to their low weight of 1420g (disc) / 1380g (rim), high-quality build, and customizability, they should be worth the attention of all climbers looking for an affordable pair of carbon wheels.
- Elitewheels DRIVE (also available for rim brakes) – the best carbon road bike wheels under $1000 overall. These wheels are lightweight, stiff, and have excellent crosswind stability. Use discount code ‘CYCLISTSHUB‘ to get 15% OFF your purchase.
- Lún HYPER SE 65mm (also available for rim brakes) – the best aero road bike wheels under $1000. They took the best from HYPER 2020 wheels, replaced the ceramic bearings with steel ones, and lowered the price. Together with my 10% discount, these wheels are a no-brainer! Use discount code ‘CYCLISTSHUB10‘ to get 10% OFF your purchase.
How to Choose the Best Road Bike Wheels Under $1000?
In this part, I will guide you through the features you should consider before buying wheels road wheels for under $1000, so you can get the most value for your money.
Brake Type: Disc vs. Rim
Choose the type of wheels depending on what brakes you use. This will narrow down the available options.
Did you know that about 85% of new road bikes in 2021 came with disc brakes? (Source)
If you use rim brakes, you get wheels with a quick-release compatible with most road bikes.
However, if you use a disc brake road bike, you will have to use a through-axle (also called thru-axle) that may differ on bikes.

Luckily, the front thru-axle is standardized at 100mm x 12mm. The rear thru-axles may differ. Here are the standard sizes:
- 142mm x 12mm
- 135mm x 12mm
- etc.
To determine your thru-axle dimensions, measure it with a caliper and meter, or check out your bike’s manual.
Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless
Road bike wheels under $1000 can be:
- Clincher
- Tubular
- or Clincher (tubeless-ready)
So, which one should you choose? What are their differences?

Check out the following table of their pros & cons.
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 |
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.
NOTE: If the wheels are ‘clincher tubeless-ready,’ you can use them with tubeless tires (read more).
Tubeless
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
Another important feature to consider when choosing road bike wheels under $1000 is the depth of the rims. It affects both the aerodynamics and the weight of the wheelset.
Generally, deeper section wheels are more aerodynamic and thus faster. However, the most versatile wheels have a rim depth of around 45mm, which strikes a balance between aerodynamics and weight.
On the other hand, if you live in a mountainous area or prioritize a lightweight bike, you should consider shallow rims with a depth of around 25mm.

If you want to understand how bike wheels’ aerodynamics work, watch this video. In the video, the aerodynamics expert Hambini explains how factors like rim depth, wind, and other elements impact aerodynamics.
For more info, you can also read my in-depth comparison of aluminum vs. carbon wheels.
Rim Width
The rim width also affects how wide the tires you can fit on the bike. Wider, high-volume tires are more comfortable than narrow tires inflated on high pressures.
In the past, riders used narrow (19mm or 20mm tires). But over time, studies have shown that wider rims and tires (25mm and 28mm) are faster, more comfortable, and more efficient.
The rim width is given as the inner rim width. However, the outer width is also important for road cycling because aerodynamics plays an important role.

You should choose the tire width based on the ‘Rule of 105’:
The Rule of 105 states that the rim must be at least 105% the width of the tire if you have any chance of re-capturing airflow from the tire and controlling it or smoothing it. (Source)
In other words, if the outer rim width is 29.4mm, use 28mm tires to maximize aerodynamic benefits.
However, you probably won’t notice the differences if you don’t count every second.
Tire Width | Minimum Rim Width |
---|---|
20 mm | 21 mm |
21 mm | 22.05 mm |
23 mm | 24.15 mm |
25 mm | 26.25 mm |
28 mm | 29.4 mm |
Weight
What is a good weight of a road bike wheelset for under $1000?
Well, it depends on:
- Used materials
- Rim depth
- Rim type
- Hubs
- Spokes
- etc.
Based on my market research, the weight varies between 1350g and 1650g, mainly depending on rim depth.
When speaking of weight, lighter wheels usually have lower weight limits. These also vary but rarely go below 100kg (220lb).
Cassette Compatibility
When ordering a wheelset, choose a freehub body based on your groupset. If you have Campagnolo, you need a Campagnolo-compatible freehub. Shimano and SRAM cassettes are interchangeable.
Hubs
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. But, eventual repair or bearings replacement might be more difficult.
Spokes
There are multiple spoke types shape- and material-wise.
Spokes Shapes
- Rounded (straight gauge) spokes are the most common and affordable. They are used on low-end and budget wheels. But, they are less aero and stiff than bottled or bladed spokes.
- Buttled spokes are a compromise between rounded and bladed spokes.
- Bladed spokes are the most aerodynamic. They are also stronger but can compromise crosswind stability.
Spokes Materials
When choosing road bike wheels, you will encounter steel or carbon spokes.
- Steel spokes are more affordable and common than carbon spokes but are not as durable.
- Carbon spokes are stiffer, have higher tensile strength, and are about 60% lighter than steel spokes. On the other hand, they are more expensive.
See the following video explaining the benefits of carbon spokes.
Nipples
Once marginal gains stack up, they make a difference. One of these marginal gains is how much the spoke nipples are exposed.
There are 3 basic types of spoke nipple exposures:
- Fully-exposed nipples are the most common and great for maintenance but are the worst for aerodynamics.
- Half-exposed nipples are less common than fully-exposed nipples. They are good for maintenance and aerodynamics. It’s a great compromise between the other two.
- Hidden nipples are the best for aerodynamics but worst for maintenance (you have to take off the tire if you want to adjust spoke tension).
What’s in the Package?
When buying rim brake wheels, ensure they come with four braking pads and quick-release skewers.
Disc brake wheels may come with thru-axles, but those are not necessary. Deep-section wheels should come with tubeless valves or valve extenders for inflating the tubes/tires.
Wheelsets should also come with rim tape and spare spokes. The spare spokes can be handy if one or more spokes fails, such as when hitting a deep pothole.
Other Extra Services (Warranty, Crash Replacement, etc.)
When spending up to $1000 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. (Source)
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.
Road Bike Wheels Under $1000 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.