EIE Carbon Wheels? 40/45 mm, Bitex , Carbon Spokes?

[ChinerChiner]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently looking for a new carbon wheelset for my road bike and came across EIE Carbon. The price-performance ratio seems attractive, but I’d really appreciate your feedback and experiences before I make a decision.
https://www.eiecarbon.com/goods/details/SR40TC26

Planned configuration:

• Rim Depth: 40 mm (or would 45 mm be a better choice?)
• Brake Surface: Grooved Graphene Braking
• Hubs: Bitex (RAF10/RAR9) - alternatively, I’m also considering DT Swiss 350 hubs (but heavier). Are Bitex hubs really as low-maintenance and durable as often claimed?
• Nipples: Brass
• Carbon Weave: 3K (I like the look, but are there any disadvantages compared to UD?)
• Decals: Still undecided – do decals even look good with 3K, or is a clean look better?

I ride mostly hilly terrain, weight around 68 kg, priorities: low weight, and durability

About my Bike:
I ride a Canyon Ultimate CF SL and according to Canyon, the max tire clearance is 25mm. With 28mm tires, things get pretty tight at the chainstays.
However, I’ve already tried 28mm tires with my former stiff carbon wheels (45 mm depth), and that worked fine without clearance issues. Would be great if that could work again.

Additional considerations:
Elitewheels as alternative? https://www.elite-wheels.com/product/drive-40mm-rim-brake-carbon-spoke-wheelset-ceramic-bearing/
Carbon Spokes: are carbon spokes a reasonable upgrade for my use case? Too harsh?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[kubackje]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently looking for a new carbon wheelset for my road bike and came across EIE Carbon. The price-performance ratio seems attractive, but I’d really appreciate your feedback and experiences before I make a decision.
https://www.eiecarbon.com/goods/details/SR40TC26

Planned configuration:

• Rim Depth: 40 mm (or would 45 mm be a better choice?)
• Brake Surface: Grooved Graphene Braking
• Hubs: Bitex (RAF10/RAR9) - alternatively, I’m also considering DT Swiss 350 hubs (but heavier). Are Bitex hubs really as low-maintenance and durable as often claimed?
• Nipples: Brass
• Carbon Weave: 3K (I like the look, but are there any disadvantages compared to UD?)
• Decals: Still undecided – do decals even look good with 3K, or is a clean look better?

I ride mostly hilly terrain, weight around 68 kg, priorities: low weight, and durability

About my Bike:
I ride a Canyon Ultimate CF SL and according to Canyon, the max tire clearance is 25mm. With 28mm tires, things get pretty tight at the chainstays.
However, I’ve already tried 28mm tires with my former stiff carbon wheels (45 mm depth), and that worked fine without clearance issues. Would be great if that could work again.

Additional considerations:
Elitewheels as alternative? https://www.elite-wheels.com/product/drive-40mm-rim-brake-carbon-spoke-wheelset-ceramic-bearing/
Carbon Spokes: are carbon spokes a reasonable upgrade for my use case? Too harsh?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Why on earth would anyone choose such an old design narrow rims in 2025?

[Sander2177]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently looking for a new carbon wheelset for my road bike and came across EIE Carbon. The price-performance ratio seems attractive, but I’d really appreciate your feedback and experiences before I make a decision.
https://www.eiecarbon.com/goods/details/SR40TC26

Planned configuration:

• Rim Depth: 40 mm (or would 45 mm be a better choice?)
• Brake Surface: Grooved Graphene Braking
• Hubs: Bitex (RAF10/RAR9) - alternatively, I’m also considering DT Swiss 350 hubs (but heavier). Are Bitex hubs really as low-maintenance and durable as often claimed?
• Nipples: Brass
• Carbon Weave: 3K (I like the look, but are there any disadvantages compared to UD?)
• Decals: Still undecided – do decals even look good with 3K, or is a clean look better?

I ride mostly hilly terrain, weight around 68 kg, priorities: low weight, and durability

About my Bike:
I ride a Canyon Ultimate CF SL and according to Canyon, the max tire clearance is 25mm. With 28mm tires, things get pretty tight at the chainstays.
However, I’ve already tried 28mm tires with my former stiff carbon wheels (45 mm depth), and that worked fine without clearance issues. Would be great if that could work again.

Additional considerations:
Elitewheels as alternative? https://www.elite-wheels.com/product/drive-40mm-rim-brake-carbon-spoke-wheelset-ceramic-bearing/
Carbon Spokes: are carbon spokes a reasonable upgrade for my use case? Too harsh?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

How much are they I cannot see  price.
I'm your bike is  rim brake? I would maybe look at 21/22mm rims personally.
19mm is very narrow
I  find carbon spokes fine comfort form me is tyres and tyre pressures
Cheap ceramic bearings would not bother with well to be honest steel Chinese will be no good either save money and go steel. Cheap bearing just wear so quick.

Elite wheels look good but you can get cheaper wheels from XM Carbon speed.
What is it you want? cheap? how much are you looking to spend?

[ChinerChiner]

Why on earth would anyone choose such an old design narrow rims in 2025?

cause my bike only allows 25mm wide tires. I have had Nextie CRX45 wheels with 28mm rim wide an they just fit. Unfortunately they are broken after a crash. With 25mm I would be sure that neither rim nor tire would rub on my chainstays.

Do you consider this design narrow?
Isn't 19mm just as good as 20 or 21mm when riding 25-28mm tires?

[ChinerChiner]

How much are they I cannot see  price.
--> USD:658, Approx Weight: 1361g

I'm your bike is  rim brake? I would maybe look at 21/22mm rims personally.
19mm is very narrow
--> ok, thanks!

I  find carbon spokes fine comfort form me is tyres and tyre pressures
--> ok

Cheap ceramic bearings would not bother with well to be honest steel Chinese will be no good either save money and go steel. Cheap bearing just wear so quick.
--> Ok, your recommendation? Dt Swiss 350?


Elite wheels look good but you can get cheaper wheels from XM Carbon speed.
What is it you want? cheap? how much are you looking to spend?
--> cheap is not so important.... 1000 USD max

[00Garza]

My completely unsolicited advice...

With a budget of $1k, you could get a more modern frame with wider tire clearance. Move components over and then you have way better options for wheels.

Unless you REALLY love your current frame.

[Serge_K]

My completely unsolicited advice...

With a budget of $1k, you could get a more modern frame with wider tire clearance. Move components over and then you have way better options for wheels.

Unless you REALLY love your current frame.

+1.
My LTK268 frame costs c.$400.

[ChinerChiner]

Thanks for your advice!
However, I want to keep the frame.
I really like it, it fits me well and I don't see why I shouldn't find a wheelset that suits me.
How about this?: https://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1448
Should be wide enough: 20.5/23/25mm wide

[bichler.bua]

If I were in your shoes, I would probably get a set of Elite Edge wheels on AliExpress.
Solid wheels, available as rim brake, light weight and don't break the bank (you should be able to get them sub 600 EUR).
OK, only 19.5mm internal width - but for a rim brake with 25/28mm tires I do not see the issue.