Best value carbon wheels?

[eddietheengineer]

Hello everyone! I've been lurking the last few weeks trying to understand what vendors and components are available and reliable. One question I had was really around road carbon wheel sets. I've primarily heard of Elitewheels as the "go to" option, but then there are quite a few varieties and I'm not positive where the ideal point is to spend money.

For reference, today I have an older Fuji SST frame, 2008 generation Sram Red, and Giant P-SLR1 wheels today, and I'm looking at making a newer build with a bit more of an endurance frame (maybe the CFR-1056 frame) and wider tires, but still trying to keep the weight down.

Cheapest: Elitewheels ENT Disc - 50mm depth, 17/26mm width, 1751g - $431 - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255799847268989.html
Midlevel?: Yuanan (Elitewheels supplier) - 50mm depth, 1329g - ~$605 - https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4527.0.html
Most expensive?: Elitewheels Edge - 50mm depth, 21/28mm width, 1347g - $713 - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804581390724.html

Are there any other popular/reliable options I haven't considered? I'm sure there are other vendors I haven't considered?

Thanks!

[ENEP]

Speak with Pro-X, large catalog of different rims, spokes, hubs. Good quality. Just like Yuanan they are OEM to others.
https://www.proxcarbon.com/prox-carbon-road-wheels-c52db-ratchet-freehub-system-road-disc-brake-carbon-wheels_p94.html

I recently enquired a quote for ratchet hub, 55mm deep and sapim cx-ray spokes.
379 USD for a standard wheel set + 70 USD for upgrade to Sapim CX Ray.

449 USD for ratchet hub, 55mm deep, cx-ray spokes and a set weight of 1540gr. I believe that's quite good?

[Wrighty]

Im using these, so far so good.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001466800426.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.624a26ba7MzpT1&algo_pvid=c7c2ae35-bb8d-4ae2-9c97-3648fd41985e&algo_exp_id=c7c2ae35-bb8d-4ae2-9c97-3648fd41985e-1&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%21573.17%21343.91%21%21%21674.16%21%21%4021038e8316986631249881220e646a%2112000030724453284%21sea%21UK%212193145146%21&curPageLogUid=rmfWq4t8ReCb

[kubackje]

Hello everyone! I've been lurking the last few weeks trying to understand what vendors and components are available and reliable. One question I had was really around road carbon wheel sets. I've primarily heard of Elitewheels as the "go to" option, but then there are quite a few varieties and I'm not positive where the ideal point is to spend money.

For reference, today I have an older Fuji SST frame, 2008 generation Sram Red, and Giant P-SLR1 wheels today, and I'm looking at making a newer build with a bit more of an endurance frame (maybe the CFR-1056 frame) and wider tires, but still trying to keep the weight down.

Cheapest: Elitewheels ENT Disc - 50mm depth, 17/26mm width, 1751g - $431 - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255799847268989.html
Midlevel?: Yuanan (Elitewheels supplier) - 50mm depth, 1329g - ~$605 - https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,4527.0.html
Most expensive?: Elitewheels Edge - 50mm depth, 21/28mm width, 1347g - $713 - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804581390724.html

Are there any other popular/reliable options I haven't considered? I'm sure there are other vendors I haven't considered?

Thanks!

Imo if you want a modern build and use wider tires you need at least edit:21mm internal width rims. My vote here goes for elite edge or contact Leon from yuanan  .+86 157 3827 4372. Very responsive guy. Can give you few options or a rim catalogue for custom build.
I've chosen custom build and will have my gravel wheels in few days.

[eddietheengineer]

Speak with Pro-X, large catalog of different rims, spokes, hubs. Good quality. Just like Yuanan they are OEM to others.
https://www.proxcarbon.com/prox-carbon-road-wheels-c52db-ratchet-freehub-system-road-disc-brake-carbon-wheels_p94.html

I recently enquired a quote for ratchet hub, 55mm deep and sapim cx-ray spokes.
379 USD for a standard wheel set + 70 USD for upgrade to Sapim CX Ray.

449 USD for ratchet hub, 55mm deep, cx-ray spokes and a set weight of 1540gr. I believe that's quite good?

That's pretty solid! How much was the shipping, another ~$100?

Im using these, so far so good.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001466800426.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.624a26ba7MzpT1&algo_pvid=c7c2ae35-bb8d-4ae2-9c97-3648fd41985e&algo_exp_id=c7c2ae35-bb8d-4ae2-9c97-3648fd41985e-1&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%21573.17%21343.91%21%21%21674.16%21%21%4021038e8316986631249881220e646a%2112000030724453284%21sea%21UK%212193145146%21&curPageLogUid=rmfWq4t8ReCb

Those look pretty nice! I need to look into Hygge some more, I've definitely heard that brand during my searches.

Imo if you want a modern build and use wider tires you need at least 2mm internal width rims. My vote here goes for elite edge or contact Leon from yuanan  .+86 157 3827 4372. Very responsive guy. Can give you few options or a rim catalogue for custom build.
I've chosen custom build and will have my gravel wheels in few days.

Yes! I was looking at some of the wider rims and was planning on maybe 28-30c tires. I can't run anything larger than 25c at the moment with my current bike. What width do you recommend? I assume a bit wider than 2mm 

[ENEP]

That's pretty solid! How much was the shipping, another ~$100?

I live in Sweden and was quoted 147 USD for shipping to my door and customs/taxes included. This is normal for tax included shipping from China to Sweden.
Yeah, I think they are a solid option for the money. If one does not feel the need for ratchet hub, one can choose a lower priced 4- or 6-pawl hub and get them even cheaper.

[kubackje]

That's pretty solid! How much was the shipping, another ~$100?

Those look pretty nice! I need to look into Hygge some more, I've definitely heard that brand during my searches.

Yes! I was looking at some of the wider rims and was planning on maybe 28-30c tires. I can't run anything larger than 25c at the moment with my current bike. What width do you recommend? I assume a bit wider than 2mm 

I've ate one number, edited it. I meant 21mm internal. Contact Leon and see what he can do for You. I have their rim catalog and they have some good wide range of rims in variety of sizes. See the attached file

[kubackje]

I live in Sweden and was quoted 147 USD for shipping to my door and customs/taxes included. This is normal for tax included shipping from China to Sweden.
Yeah, I think they are a solid option for the money. If one does not feel the need for ratchet hub, one can choose a lower priced 4- or 6-pawl hub and get them even cheaper.

Tax free shipping to Poland from yuanan was 70$ for me.

[PLA]

Can't go wrong with farsports.

[mtbluvr68]

I have 2 sets of Elite Carbon wheels,  1 set on the gravel bike, 1 set on the Marin rift zone MTB,  and 2 sets of Light Bicycle wheels.  Both brands are fantastic. 

[Plateofboxes]

Had good experience with Prox as well. Responsive and we're able to adjust my order quickly due to a mess up at my end. Very nice carbon, and have held up for a heavy bloke like me for 1000km

That said I ordered rims only, so can't speak to their hubs or wheelbuilding.

[eddietheengineer]

Circling back to this, the Elitewheels Edge are on sale now for $617: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804581390724.html

I've already used my bigger Aliexpress coupons, but I still am seeing $568 shipped in the cart ($30 off $200, plus $18 in coins).

Is there any real reason to go with the Yuanan direct option now ($500 + ~$100 shipping and less purchasing protections)? Also, will Aliexpress possibly have other coupons later in the 11.11-11.17 window?

Thanks!

[raisinberry777]

If you're brave, there's also this option:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005939912649.html

Very similar to the Elitewheels Edge in spec, but cheaper.

There's also this gravel version if going for a wider rim:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006061242770.html

[Benbenben]

I am also waiting to see if another discount will come from the store. With 18ot81 100$ off that's is already low to 463$

[Eddy_Twerckx]

I’m seeing the Elite Edge for $556 shipped after all of the coupons. Now just deciding between these and the Elite Drive carbon spoke wheels, which are on sale for $950. Not sure if $400 for Carbon spokes is worth it. I do have another carbon spoke wheelset and they are amazingly stiff.