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Elitewheels DRIVE wheels caught my attention with their affordable price and high-end specifications, such as their super-lightweight of below 1300g (45mm rim depth), in-house-designed hubs, and carbon spokes.
To evaluate them, I examined their lateral and radial trueness, spoke tension, and the difficulty of installing a tire, and even took a look inside. Additionally, I compared their riding characteristics to those of other Chinese wheelsets!
After reading this review, you’ll better understand whether they are suitable for you and what to expect from them.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Elitewheels DRIVE are my favorite climbing wheels because they are lightweight, agile, and stiff. Thanks to the centered weight distribution (i.e., low rotational weight), they are also the most “lively” wheels I’ve tested. They are perfect for quick accelerations. Despite their stiffness, they are relatively comfortable to ride.
On the other hand, they don’t keep their momentum on flats like heavier wheels, and the longevity of their ceramic bearings is questionable. I recommend them to climbers or those who like to attack or ride criteriums. You can buy them here or continue reading for more info.
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.
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.
About Elitewheels
Elitewheels has been developing and producing carbon wheels since 2013. They were initially known for their entry-level wheels on Aliexpress. However, they invested in research and development and launched a premium wheel line called DRIVE in 2022, followed by Helix in 2024.
In addition to road wheelsets, they also produce MTB, gravel, and triathlon wheels. Nowadays, Elitewheels is one of the biggest Chinese bicycle brands, and it sponsors multiple professional teams and the Global Cycling Network (GCN).
Elitewheels DRIVE Main Features and Specs
Elitewheels’ DRIVE series is their top-of-the-line wheel range, featuring in-house designed hubs and carbon spokes. Based on my positive experience, I also included them among the best Chinese road wheels. Here are the specifications for the Elitewheels DRIVE 45mm Disc. Remember, this rim depth is no longer available. You can choose 40 or 50mm instead.
Main Features
- Lightweight, stiff, responsive (super low inertia)
- Can’t maintain speed on flats as well as heavier wheels
- Stable in crosswinds
- In-house designed hubs, carbon spokes, ceramic bearings
- Unique, raw carbon rim finish
- Tubeless rim tape and valves included and installed
- Two tire levers and 4 spare spokes included
- Questionable bearings quality
- 3-year warranty
Technical Specification
- Type: Disc (also available for rim brakes), clincher (tubeless-ready)
- Measured Weight
- Front Wheel: 562g
- Rear Wheel: 718g
- Pair: 1280g
- Rim width: 21.4mm (internal), 28.8mm (external)
- Rim depth: 45mm
- Spokes: Elitewheels carbon spokes
- Hubs: Elitewheels with ceramic bearings
- Rider’s weight limit: 125kg (275lb)
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.
First Impressions and Unboxing
Unlike the Winspace HYPER 2020 or Farsports Ventoux S wheels, I didn’t know what to expect from the Elitewheels DRIVE because no reviews were available, and I was among the first reviewers to test them. The box was scratch-free, and the wheels were carefully packed to prevent any potential damage.
Back then, the box contained wheels, rim tape, tire levers, through-axles, and socks. I contacted Elitewheels to confirm if this was the standard package content. They responded that they would no longer provide through-axles in future orders due to compatibility issues, and the socks are a gift.
Nowadays, and maybe also thanks to my feedback, the packing includes spare spokes, a rim tape already applied, and tubeless valves.
In-House Tests
I developed the following in-house tests to objectively compare different wheelsets. You can learn more about my testing procedure here.
These tests provide a better understanding of the wheel’s assembly quality. So, did the DRIVE wheels pass them?
Lateral and Radial Trueness
The DRIVE wheels’ lateral and radial trueness were both acceptable. While I did notice some deviations (fractions of a millimeter), they did not impact riding performance.
I’d like to highlight the design of the spoke holes. The picture below shows that they aren’t centered like those on many other wheels.
I contacted Elitewheels and asked why they designed the spoke holes this way. They responded as follows:
The installation of carbon spokes requires very precise angular requirements. The holes are slightly offset from the center, alternately left and right. Installing carbon spokes also requires professional tools, and we must ensure that the holes are concentric. So, none of the holes are in the middle.
To verify this claim, I also posted the same question in a wheel builders group on Facebook. Members confirmed that the offset holes enable aligned access to the nipples and improve the wheel’s overall strength.
Spoke Tension
The spoke tension was comparable to that of Winspace HYPER 2020, with a high level of consistency. Just a few spokes were slightly off by less than 5%. It’s not as impressive as YOELEO SAT PROs, but it’s still a great result.
Rim Centering (Dishing)
The hubs were also well-centered, with no gap between the end cap and the middle piece of the dishing tool. This is a perfect result!
A Look Inside
While I’m not a carbon fiber expert, I’ve always been curious about it. As such, I decided to take a closer look inside the rim and capture some photos. I didn’t discover any major issues during my inspection. Below, you can see details of the spoke nipple, spoke hole, and the outer wall of the rim.
The wall has a strange pattern or wrinkling that I haven’t seen on other wheelsets. However, I don’t believe it to be a defect. Given its regularity, it seems to be a natural part of the manufacturing process. Overall, I observed no excess resin in the rims, and the side walls appeared smooth.
The Difficulty of Putting the Tire On and Off
I always use the same tubeless tire, the Tufo Comtura 4 TR 28mm, to assess the difficulty of mounting the tire on the rims. After installing the supplied rim tape* I attempted to mount the tires. This proved slightly more challenging than with YOELEO SAT PROs or Lún HYPER, which I tested previously. However, I could accomplish this with the assistance of tire levers.
*Remember that nowadays, the rim tape is already installed.
Next, I attempted to inflate them using a compressor but was unsuccessful. After some time, I realized I installed the rim tape wrong. Back then, I was not that experienced with it. Once I installed it the right way, I didn’t experience any issues with inflating the tire.
NOTE: Elitewheels DRIVE have about 3mm wider rims than other wheels I tested. This makes them more suitable for increasingly popular 28mm and 30mm tires.
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.
Riding Experience
In short, these wheels are an absolute joy to ride. They handle like sports cars, offering high responsiveness due to their low weight and high stiffness. I particularly enjoy riding them on steep climbs and in mountainous terrain.
In technical descents, their lower inertia makes them easier to control than heavier wheels such as HYPER or YOELEO SAT PRO. I couldn’t feel much difference compared to Farsports Ventoux S; they perform similarly in descents.
I was pleasantly surprised by their stability in crosswinds. I don’t know if it’s because of their 5mm shallower depth (45 vs. 50mm), design, rim width, or a combination of all factors. However, they are more stable than 50mm Winspace HYPER 2020.
TIP: Read my in-depth comparison of the Elitewheels DRIVE vs. Lún HYPER.
Their performance on flats is not as good as that of heavier wheels because of the lower inertia. It’s like they can’t maintain the speed as well. So, consider how and where you ride most often before buying them. Their low weight in the 40 or 50mm option will still give you the aero benefits when climbing, but shallower options are lighter.
Crit racers who need to accelerate quickly will appreciate their responsiveness and centered weight distribution, which requires less energy to spin. At the same time, those who prefer long, steady efforts may benefit from heavier wheels that maintain speed better, such as the YOELEO SAT PRO, HYPER 3, Superteam All-Carbon Ultra, etc.
Honestly, I am not a big fan of the glossy, raw carbon rim finish. It is unique and will make you stand out. Or, if you want to stay low-profile, Elitewheels now offers black hubs and black decals.
UPDATE after about 3500 km:
I noticed that the bearings don’t roll as smoothly as they did when new. The worst ones are in the freehub body. I contacted Elitewheels and asked for a comment. They suggested replacing the bearings. I also asked them if such a short life is normal. They then offered me free bearings if I paid $30 for shipping. The bearings are easy to replace, but their quality is questionable.
By the way, I hit a deep pothole while descending in a race at around 60 km/h (37.3 mph). I punctured Tufo Comtura 4TR, which is pretty difficult by itself. However, the rims remained scratch-free.
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.
Elitewheels DRIVE Alternatives
There are a few Elitewheels DRIVE alternatives. I want to highlight Lún HYPER SE, Lún HYPER 3, Farsports Ventoux S, or Superteam All-Carbon Ultra. The table below shows all the wheels I tested and their ratings.
| Reviewed Wheelset | Average Score | Crosswind Stability | Stiffness & Responsivity | Riding Comfort | Speed maintenance | Tire On¹ | Lateral and Radial Trueness | Spoke Tension | Rim Centering | Price | Rim depth | Weight (F | R | Pair) | Rim Width (I | E) | Note | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOELEO C50|50 SAT DB PRO | 4.3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 50mm | 705g, 830g, 1535g | 18.5mm 25.5mm | Affordable and easy-to-service wheels suitable for flats and steady efforts. | Check Price |
| Lún HYPER 50mm | 4.0 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 50mm | 650g, 779g, 1429g | 19mm 26mm | Stiff, responsive, and lightweight wheels suitable for hilly and mountainous terrain. Not too stable in crosswinds. | Check Price Use code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 10% OFF |
| Elitewheels DRIVE 45mm Disc | 4.0 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 45mm | 562g, 718g, 1280g | 21.4mm 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 |
| Farsports Ventoux S | 4.0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 45mm | 637g, 755g, 1392g | 19.2mm 25.5mm | Stiff, responsive, and premium wheels suitable for most terrains. | Check Price Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 30Â USD OFF |
| YOELEO C50|50 SAT DB PRO 2022 | 4.1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 50mm | 705g, 830g, 1535g | 18.5mm 25.5mm | Affordable and easy-to-service wheels suitable for flats and steady efforts but with too loud hubs. | Check Price |
| Trifox WT11 | 3.8 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 50mm | 769g, 874g, 1643g | 18.4mm 25.1mm | Affordable and comfortable, but not well assembled. | Check Price Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 8 % OFF |
| Farsports Wave | 4.2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 45/50mm | 736g, 880g, 1616g | 21.0mm 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 |
| Superteam All-Carbon Ultra 2023 | 4.6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 50mm | 633g, 769g, 1402g | 21.3mm 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 |
| Lún HYPER SE 2023 | 4.3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 46/54mm | 654g, 803g, 1457g | 21.3mm 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 10% OFF |
| Lún MEGA | 4.1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 46/54mm | 616g, 782g, 1398g | 20.8mm 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 10% OFF |
| Elitewheels EDGE | 3.8 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 50mm | 633g, 720g, 1353g | 21.2mm 28.9mm | Comfortable, lightweight but relatively soft compared to carbon-spoked wheels. | Check Price |
| Elitewheels ENT | 3.8 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 50mm | 828g, 950g, 1778g | 20.0mm 28.4mm | Heavy and soft but comfortable and good on flats and steady efforts. | Check Price |
| Lún HYPER 3 | 4.1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 46/54mm | 598g, 766g, 1364g | 23.2mm 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 10% OFF |
| Up-Vine Pro+ | 4.2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 50mm | 661g, 768g, 1429g | 23.5mm 29.1mm | Great balance between stiffness, riding comfort, and stability. | Check Price |
| Farsports C5 | 4.2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 50mm | 602g, 726g, 1328g | 24.2mm 30.4mm | Great balance between stiffness, riding comfort, and stability. | Check Price Use code CYCLISTSHUB to get 30Â USD OFF |
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
If you’re looking for lightweight, stiff, relatively stable carbon wheels with a fast response that won’t break the bank, I can highly recommend the Elitewheels DRIVE. They are my favorite wheels for hilly and mountainous terrain and steep climbs.
However, you may consider heavier wheels if you prefer long, steady efforts on flats. I feel like the DRIVE wheels don’t maintain their speed on flats like heavier wheels.
Their biggest drawback is the quality of the ceramic bearings. Mine started to show signs of wear after about 3500 km. They simply don’t spin as well as they did when they were new and will soon require servicing. I have not encountered similar wear on other wheels with ceramic bearings after this mileage.
If you have any questions about the DRIVE wheels, feel free to ask them in the comments. If you decide to buy them, please consider using the code below. It’s the best way to support this website, and you will also save money. Thanks in advance.
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.
Elitewheels DRIVE FAQ
Browse More Chinese Carbon Wheels Reviews
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.
Great review, thanks!
I’m possibly looking at these over the Winspace Hyper, partly due to slight cost saving, but also because Elite will sell odd depth wheels, eg. 40 front + 50 rear, whereas Winspace said ‘no’. As a light rider I’d prefer a shallower front.
I’m also looking at these because I like the feel of a light bike/wheel, just the fun responsiveness feeling.
Do you feel the quality of these is up there with the Winspace?
Do you think the width of 28mm could be a challenge for some brakes, eg. standard Shimano Ultregra & DA?
Hi Ian,
Thank you. I am glad you like it. 🙂
I can understand why they don’t want to do the “custom” option, but that’s another topic.
I got one of the first batches from their DRIVE series. They already did some slight adjustments to the package contents and hubs.
The quality feels the same as HYPERs. I dare to say that DRIVE are in a similar stage as HYPER 2 years ago. They will be Elitewheels’ flagship product and I think they will do everything they can to make them one of the best Chinese wheels at this price range.
However, we don’t how they will stand the test of time. HYPERs are known for their durability. But nobody used DRIVE for more than a few months (because they were released a few months ago).
But, I am confident that if some issues occur, Elitewheels will solve them.
I read a few forums regarding the rim brakes, and the wheels with 28mm eventually 30mm tires should fit just fine. But try to double-check it directly with Elitewheels.
Let me know if you have further questions.
– Petr
I got my Drive 40D wheelset on 5th May,ordered 1th April 2022,I have run both the Vittoria Corsa G tubeless 28c and the Schwalbe One tubeless 28c. Installing the tubeless tires was very easy. I was able to inflate them with a regular floor pump. Anyone that has installed tubeless tires on carbon rims would know the headache associated with it. All these tires, however, were a breeze, seriously.
I am very impressed with these wheels, so much that I will be replacing all my other rides with equivalent wheels.Best VFM wheel to go.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I guess that putting tires on also depends on the tires. The Tufo Comturas I use are pretty hard…
I agree the value you get for the money is very good. One of the best of all Chinese carbon wheels.
Remember to use the CYCLISTSHUB discount code to get the 15% discount. 😉
– Petr
Quick question on these wheels, and also the Winspace Hyper wheels.
And to be clear this for the rim brake ones.
Can I use a traditional skewer for both of these set?
Thank you very much,
Matt
Hi Matthew,
I am not sure what you mean by the “traditional skewer.” However, both rim wheelsets come with Quick Release skewers included. 🙂
Let me know if you have any questions.
– Petr
Hi Petr,
I am planning to upgrade my tyres to cabon wheels but I’m lost whether to go ahead with the elite btw 45 or the hyper 2023. The elite btw looks promising due to the dt Swiss 240 hubs as the hyper 45 uses their own ceramic hubs. Again this touches on the hubs durability as I believe the dt240 will last vs the ceramic which could wear faster. I am after an all round wheel set (size 28,700c) to climb hills, flats and long rides (140km). I believe you mentioned the Drive 50 didn’t maintain its speed but would you know if the btw would maintain its speed for TT and long rides.
There is also another brand call Creative Carbon wheels which comes from china sold in Australia, would you know much about this brand.
Hi Boon,
I don’t have experience with the BWT series, but I guess they will be rolling a little better than DRIVE. It’s hard to say what about their durability. Considering the components, we can assume they will be more durable.
Anyway, don’t take me wrong, DRIVE wheels are still great wheels. They just don’t feel as fast on flats as heavier wheels like HYPERs, SAT PROs, etc.
I would like to test the HYPER 2023, but I don’t know when I will get my hands on them.
It’s honestly the first time I hear about Creative Carbon, so I can’t comment on them.
Btw. I have the new YOELEO SAT PRO wheels with YOELEO hubs at home. I will start testing them once I return from vacation. 🙂
Let me know if you have any questions.
– Petr
Thanks for the review Petr. Got a pair of 50V , but notice the rear wheel drive side spokes looks to be deforming the carbon from tension, elite customer service told me it cosmetic, but its weird that it only happens to the drive side spokes and I can feel the ridges and raised area when I run my finger nail over it. Check the image here https://ibb.co/S6DjdNH I asked Hambini about his 40V and awaiting what he says, but did your 50D exhibit this on the drive side spokes too, or do you think they are they’re BS’ing me?
Hi Mario,
I apologize for the late reply. The system marked your comment as spam.
So far, I didn’t notice any issues regarding the spokes. But I will check out my wheels tomorrow and let you know.
Could you send me more pictures of the deformation to petr@cyclistshub.com? It’s not very clear from your picture.
– Petr
Hello Petr,
I am between the Elite Drive 50D and the Yoeleo DB 50. I am doing mostly hilly rides and from many reviews I have read, the Drive wheels are better. On the other hand, Yoeleo wheels maybe easier to maintain? What about durability. Did you get the chance put many KMs on your Drive 45D?
I am riding for recreation and like to improve my times especially on hilly segments. What do you suggest?
Michael.
Hey, Michael,
DRIVE wheels are ideal for climbing, much better than YOELEO wheels. I recommend YOELEO wheels for steady efforts and flats. As for durability, I have about 4000 km on the DRIVE wheels and so far no problems. I currently have them as a second set of wheels for steep climbs in the Dolomites.
Btw., to improve times I also recommend improving your pacing strategy. If you have a power meter and know your “numbers”, it’s much easier than without :).
Let me know if you have any questions.
– Petr
How are they in side wind? I’m thinking about buying, but not sure if 45 mm, 50mm or 30 mm or maybe 38 mm is the right side. I’m a heavy rider and live in an area with a lot of mountains and a lot of wind.
Hey. Hey,
I have a 45mm version that’s no longer available. They are very stable (on par with the Ventoux S 45mm), I would say 1-2 levels above the HYPER 50mm. If I were you, I would go for the 40mm version.
I hope that helps. 🙂
– Petr
I very much liked riding my Elite 50D wheels but had to replace the ceramic bearings in the rear wheel after less than three months. To be fair, Elite sent me replacement bearings. Lately I have been riding my new ICAN Aero 50 Wide wheels instead. Very similar inner and outer width as the Elite 50D. A little heavier, slightly less stiff (Sapim Ray spokes) but more comfortable on longer rides.
Hi Stuart,
Thank you for your comment. Any idea what happened to the bearings? I haven’t encountered any similar problems yet.
Yes, I can imagine that the wheels with steel spokes are more comfortable. I have had similar experiences (with other models as well). 🙂
– Petr
Hello Petr,
Thanks for your reviews, they are great !
Did you ave the opportunity to try the D50 from Elite ? I have the feeling (hope ?) that they would combine the best of all world : lightweight and responsive in the climbs, and keeping their speed better than the D45 that you tested here on te flats.
Any insight ?
Thanks !
Hi Pierre,
Thank you!
I haven’t tried the D50 unfortunately, but I don’t think the 5mm will make that much difference. 🙂 D45 are not available anymore, so D50 is the closest choice.
– Petr
Hey Petr! When you describe not as fast on flats, how is that percieved. Is it watts sustained over a certain distance or just percieved speed? I wonder if it’s variance of 1-2 mph
Hi Marc,
Definitely not 1-2 MPH, maybe not even 1-2 KPH. It’s just that “feeling” that they don’t have as good inertia as heavier wheels. Most of the differences between wheelsets are marginal, and you only notice them when riding the wheels side by side. 🙂
– Petr
ZdravÃm Peter
vieÅ¡ mi prosÃm povedat na akú Å¡Ãrku sa nafúkli tie 28 mm plaÅ¡te Tufo
ÄŽakujem
Roman
Ahoj Romane,
30.7mm při 5 barech (Tufo Comtura 4 TR 28mm).
– Petr
Hi Petr,
I just purchased a Cannondale SuperSix Evo 2 (2024) and I’m thinking of replacing Cannodale’s Hollowgram R45s with Drive or Drive 2. What are your thoughts? I’m driving on flats…
Hi Igor,
For flats, I would opt for some heavier wheels that will better “hold speed” or deeper profile (60mm). I am yet to try DRIVE II, but I’m now testing YOELEO NxT SL2 C60 and they feel good. However, I find Lún HYPER series maybe a bit faster. We are still talking about marginal differences and feelings, though. In the end, I would probably decide based on what rim width you want, types of spokes, design, and price.
Let me know if you have any questions. 🙂
– Petr