YOELEO Wheels SAT (SL, STD, PRO) vs. PILOT: Compared (2023)

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This article explains the differences between UCI-approved YOELEO SAT (SL, STD, and PRO) and PILOT wheels.

You learn which line to go for if you are looking for a new carbon wheelset for your bike.

I will also guide you through the selection of new wheels to help you spend your money wisely. You find out more about rim depths, rim widths, spokes, hubs, and the differences between standard and offset rims.

Based on the info in this article, it will be much easier for you to choose the right YOELEO wheels.

Let’s get into it.

YOELEO Wheel Lines Compared

NOTE: YOELEO discontinued the SL and STD wheel lines in 2022. They only kept the SAT PRO and PILOT lines.

The following table shows the differences between these wheel lines.

SAT Line

The main differences are in hubs that influence the weight and price of the wheelsets. Most other features are the same.

The mid-range SL line is focused on climbers and riders who want to build lightweight road bike. It uses Novatec or YOELEO SL-PRO hubs.

If you decide to go for the affordable STD line, you can expect Novatec hubs. These wheels are perfect for people who want to get their first pair of quality and affordable carbon wheels.

PRO line is focused on the most demanding riders. These wheelsets come with DT Swiss hubs and Sapim CX-Ray spokes ensuring great riding characteristics and longevity. You can read my YOELEO SAT PRO wheels review in my fully dedicated article.

The PRO 2022 line comes with YOELEO 230 Straight Pull in-house designed hubs (52T ratchet system) and Pillar Wing 20 Aero Spokes. Read my YOELEO SAT PRO 2022 wheels review for more info.

Also available at yoeleoeurope.com and yoeleocanada.com

PILOT Line

The PILOT line takes the best from the SAT line but takes it even further. YOELEO upgraded steel spokes to YOELEO U1 carbon spokes and YOELEO 210 carbon hubs. These upgrades result in lower overall weight and higher stiffness.

Additionally, the PILOT line comes with a unique marble rim finish. So, if you like to stand out, you will with these wheels.

I recommend the PILOT wheels to every serious road cyclist who wants the latest and greatest of what YOELEO offers.

Also available at yoeleocanada.com

How to Choose the Right YOELEO Wheels?

Below, I will guide you through the selection of YOELEO wheels and features that you will need to consider before purchasing.

This guide is also applicable to wheels of other brands to a certain extent.

Wheels for Disc or Rim Brakes

The first thing to decide is whether you want wheels for the disc or rim brakes. Rim brake wheels use quick-release, while disc brake wheels a through-axle (also called thru-axle).

Luckily, YOELEO SL, STD, and PRO wheels are available for both rim and disc brakes. You can choose exactly the wheels you need.

Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless

YOELEO offers all three types, so the question is, which one to choose?

Every type has its advantages and disadvantages. Non-pro riders usually use clincher or tubeless wheels because the tubular tires need to be glued on the wheels. This can be messy and difficult work for beginners.

The good news is that all YOELEO clincher wheels are also tubeless-ready. This will likely narrow the selection for most riders to clincher/tubeless wheels.

NOTE: You can use standard tires with inner tubes on tubeless-ready rims. However, you won’t benefit from the tubeless inflation.

The following table shows the pros & cons of clincher, tubular, and tubeless wheels.

Rim Depth

The shape and the depth of the rim influence aerodynamics. The general rule of thumb is that the deeper rims, the more aerodynamic and faster wheels.

Rim depths between 40-50mm belong among the most popular because of their versatility. They are great for flats and hilly terrain.

Riders who ride in mountains should get rims that are a little bit narrower because they are lighter. The weight difference of 30mm wheels is around 100g compared to 50mm wheels. YOELEO offers 30 or 38mm deep wheelsets that are ideal for climbers.

Triathletes and time-trialists benefit from deep-section wheels that exceed 60mm in depth. They are aerodynamic and can maintain speed on flats more easily than on narrow rims. If you are this type of rider, you can choose from 60, 80, and 88mm wheels at YOELEO.

Rim Width

At YOELEO, you can also choose the rim width of some wheelsets. The rim width is given as the inner rim width. It affects how wide tires you will fit on it and what aero gains you get.

Wider, higher-volume tires are more comfortable and require wider rims. Based on this study, 25mm and 28mm are faster, more comfortable, and more efficient than 23mm, 21mm, or even 19mm tires used in the past.

You should choose the correct 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, you should use 28mm tires to maximize aerodynamic benefits.

Tire and minimum rim width based on the Rule of 105

Some YOELEO wheels are manufactured in different widths (23, 25, and 27mm). So whether you want to use narrower or wider tires, they have got you covered.

Weight

The wheelset weight depends on the rim depth, rim type, hubs, types of wheels, spokes, etc.

Here is a quick comparison of YOELEO SL wheelsets of rim depths for rim and disc brakes. Disc brake wheels are about 40-50g lighter than rim brake wheels.

Hubs

Hubs are an important part of wheels. What spins on your bike has to be high-quality.

YOELEO wheelsets differ mainly in hubs – the SL wheels come with Novatec or YOELEO SL-PRO, the STD with Novatec, the PRO with DT Swiss, and PRO 2022 with YOELEO hubs.

Novatec hubs are generally considered a “budget” option, while DT Swiss hubs are used on more expensive wheels.

The YOELEO 230 hubs are the latest result of YOELEO development. They are inspired by DT Swiss hubs and use the 52T ratchet system.

One of the main differences between low and high-quality hubs is in their longevity and riding experience. High-quality hubs last you longer and provide you with better riding characteristics.

If you don’t have a lot of experience or you have not tried different pairs of wheels yet, you probably won’t notice the difference.

In the end, it is the question of money. If you can afford to spend a little bit more for better hubs, feel free to go for them.

Other Features to Consider

Cassette compatibility – most free hub bodies are compatible with Shimano and SRAM cassettes (they are interchangeable). If you use the Campagnolo groupset, make sure you choose Campagnolo-compatible hubs.

Axle compatibility – if you use disc brakes, you have to make sure to choose the right axle so you can fit the wheels into your frame. To find out what axle standard your bike uses, check out your current wheels frame.

Weight limit – varies depending on the wheel construction. YOELEO wheels have a weight limit of 105kg (231lb) or 115kg (254lb). Although the wheels may handle riders above this limit, I don’t recommend trying the limits of the wheels. You can damage them and crash eventually.

Warranty – no product is perfect. It may happen that it breaks. YOELEO wheels are covered by a 3-year warranty. If they fail during standard use, you can contact YOELEO customer support to get a replacement or claim a refund.

YOELEO Road Bike Wheels FAQ

Summary

Should you buy SL, STD, PRO, PRO 2022, or PILOT YOELEO wheels?

Also available at yoeleoeurope.com and yoeleocanada.com