Elitewheels Delaminates at 80 PSI. Claim Denied, Conditioned on Deleting Post

[cyruscycles]

After around 600 miles on my Elitewheels ENT 2.0, I noticed the rear rim beginning to delaminate. For the last 80 miles or so, I had been running 80 PSI on a 32c GP5000 with a TPU tube. Total system weight was around 200 lbs (rider + bike + water + saddle pack).

I reached out to Elitewheels and was basically told to kick rocks for exceeding the “recommended pressure.” But as far as I can tell, there’s no published maximum PSI limit on their Ali product page. There’s just a general recommendation chart that mirrors around what SILCA and others suggest for comfort and rolling resistance, not structural safety limits:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806716368653.html

I checked Amazon and that page doesn't even have the recommended pressure chart that the Ali listing has:
https://www.amazon.com/ELITEWHEELS-Carbon-Wheels-Wheelset-Quality/dp/B0DK53KBXQ

I get that 80 PSI is higher than what many people run on 32c, but it’s still within normal bounds, especially for heavier riders. And for hooked carbon rims, particularly like the ENT, which I’m assuming is almost entirely T700 and pretty heavy, I was under the impression they should easily handle up to around 120 PSI.

If a rim is going to fail structurally below that, shouldn’t it be clearly labeled with a max pressure warning, not just a recommendation? I could easily see a newer rider seeing a pressure recommendation of 100 PSI for a 25c tire, pumping their 32c tire to the same pressure(this is below Continental's maximum pressure rating), and then having their rim fail on a descent. Boom, broken collarbone.
(Continental pressure ratings here: https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/road-and-track/clinchers/grand-prix-5000)

They offered to sell me a replacement rim for $165 plus shipping (assuming another $100+), but that’s it. I wasn’t expecting a brand-new wheel, but I was at least hoping for a rim so I could rebuild the wheel myself, especially since I didn’t ignore any explicit limits.

I was seriously considering upgrading to their Elite Drive II wheels to save weight and gain external width, but this whole experience has me rethinking things. Am I being unreasonable here? Maybe this just comes with the territory of a $400 set of wheels.

I've attatched one of the videos I sent them showing the seperation. How stupid would it be to adhere the layers back together with epoxy while I wait for a set of wheels from Peter to arrive? I'd stick to flats. Just really itching to get out again.

Considering XMCS 65/50 or 2025 Magene EXAR DB508s atm. I want to stick under $1,300 or so.

[cyruscycles]

(Elitewheels)
Thanks for your information , please check the recommend tire pressure for road wheelset on the picture .
The total weight that wheelset bear to is  198lbs(182lbs+16lbs), it is about 89kg, and the 60PSI is the best to 32C tires.
But you used 80PSI, it is too high for the wheelset.

Please take some more pictures of damage area from different angle  , then we can find the cause , thanks

(Me)
On Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:48 PM <> wrote:

I’ve attached another photo and I’ve added a video demonstrating the separation in the layers with my finger nail. My phone doesn’t let me focus very close to the rim unfortunately.

Is it ok if I repair the rim with epoxy while I wait for a resolution?

Thank you for your help,

(Me after around a week of no response)

发送时间：2025年8月7日(周四) 10:40
收件人：Sale02<sale02@elite-wheels.com>
主　题：Re: ENT 2.0 Issue

Hello,

Could I please get some guidance and a resolution?

Also, I’m considering the Elite Drive II mixed wheelset. Is there an option for steel bearings at a slightly lower price? I prefer the long lifespan of steel bearings and don’t think it’s worth it to pay extra for ceramic.

Thank you!

(Elitewheels)
As I mentioned in my previous email, due to the high tire pressure you used, the wheels exploded during the ride.

This is a damage caused by improper use and is not covered by our warranty. We cannot provide replacement wheels for free

Considering that your cycling time is relatively short, we have applied to the company for a special offer to sell one rim to you at a price of $165, excluding shipping costs
(You can check the original price of the wheels in the product link:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008627129653.html)

Never asked for a free wheel. Just kinda expected a bit better. I picked Elitewheels because of the GCN association. Assumed the extra $100 over a no name brand was worth it for good QC and support.

[SirBikealot]

Just on the pressure part. 80PSI really? 
I have at total system mass of 110kg (240lbs) and i'm running 83psi in the back on a 28mm GP5000 with TPU.

Silca stops at 205kg (450lbs) and even then they recommend a max of 78,5 psi.

so yes, your pressure is way to high but with your weight this shouldn't be a severe problem for a carbon rim

[gribs]

I'd be asking why if it's rated system weight is 89kg are they advertising them as having a 130kg rider weight limit on AliExpress? Even their recommended pressures go up to 110kg.

[cyruscycles]

Just on the pressure part. 80PSI really? 
I have at total system mass of 110kg (240lbs) and i'm running 83psi in the back on a 28mm GP5000 with TPU.

Silca stops at 205kg (450lbs) and even then they recommend a max of 78,5 psi.

so yes, your pressure is way to high but with your weight this shouldn't be a severe problem for a carbon rim

Yeah, I typically stick to the 60s on the rear rim, but I wanted to try out a firm feel and it was fun while it lasted. I kinda got why some people like narrow tires at high pressure. I felt like a speed demon

[Chamomile]

There's a story about the EDGE wheelset.
They originally claimed 120kg max weight and pressure up to 120psi. A guy bought them from alix exactly because of those specs. Yes, he double-checked with the shop about the working pressure (90-120psi), and they confirmed it. According to them, some fancy light carbon was used that didn't compromise strength, ofc. And guess what, after a short while, running the specified high pressure, the rear wheel shattered during a ride (yeah, delamination thing).
Elitewheels fuqed around for some time with classic: "please close the dispute friend, we will send (or already sent) a new replacement friend, trust me bro and close the dispute". Eventually, alix stepped in and asked for a formal diagnostic certificate from a workshop to confirm it was unrideable. The guy did the stuff, sent the docs and got a full refund.
Happy end! Kind of.
PS: the dispute took three months.

[acino]

Yeah, I typically stick to the 60s on the rear rim, but I wanted to try out a firm feel and it was fun while it lasted. I kinda got why some people like narrow tires at high preassure. I felt like a speed demon

So I am curious here, and yes, I know there are "tests" about that all over the internet, but - were you really a speed demon, or did you just feel like it?

[cyruscycles]

So I am curious here, and yes, I know there are "tests" about that all over the internet, but - were you really a speed demon, or did you just feel like it?

I just felt like it 

The firmness of the higher pressure makes you feel more connected to the road, but my speed was a bit slower than normal

[jonathanf2]

You gave them too much info. You should have just told them the wheel was delaminating at normal pressures and it's a defect. I like high pressures too, but running a 32c tire at 80psi seems kinda dumb. I run my tubeless 25c tires at 80psi (or lower), and drop down 10psi each size up. At most I'll run 32c tires at 65psi tops and that's only for the initial tire bead-in. This is another Chinertown moment of FAFO.   

[toxin]

I mean, just cause it's a higher volume and mass of air, doesn't mean the forces on the rim will be any higher. Air pressure is still the same.

[frewster]

Force per area will be the same, yes, but with higher volume tires you'll have more total force acting on the tire and rim. Still don't think it should've failed at 80 psi.

[Trackar]

I can see both sides here.
 You want your rim replaced because while the pressure was a bit high, it shouldn’t be enough to cause this delamination. Reasonable request.

I also can see Elites point of view why they need to “deny” warranty claims when they can. They can’t have much of a margin on that wheel in the 1st place. Verses with  “name brands” we pay multiple times the cost of the product to the brand, while this sucks, if something happens this large mark up means they don’t mind sending out a replacement to keep customers happy. You already paid 3-5x anyways.

With that being said, we have all heard stories of Canyon and Specialized denying warranty claims for the smallest things. Like you couldn’t prove you used a torque wrench, there’s a scuff on the frame, did you crash? and this caused the crack etc.

You’re being fair, but got the short end of the stick imo. I feel like this was very obviously a manufacture defect, but telling them you pumped it up to “high” pressure made you an easy scapegoat.

 I wouldn’t write elite off as they seem to have one of the better track records for budget wheels. Unfortunately at these prices, we can’t have it all and fulfilling warranty claims only adds cost. Sucks, but being able to get a (Usually) solid Carbon wheelset for $375 shipped from china is also a crazy deal.
 

[Sakizashi]

I don't understand how this isn't a warranty claim. You were within their own guidelines and specs, and I may be unimaginative, but I don't see how 80psi on a 32mm tire, creating higher tension on the beads than normal, would break a rim in that way without also causing more substantial damage to the rim bed or hooks somewhere on the rim.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the exact type of failure that led to the DT Swiss recall. Of course, those rims are supposedly made in Vietnam, but IDK.

Luesher Teknik has a video on that failure, with an example and you can see the similarities. 

[Ultramic]

That's total BS from elitewheels, I will not consider buying from them again. 80 psi on 32mm is not high at all and well within specs. For example Continental advises a max psi of 85-102 for a 32mm GP5k.

I would do credit card charge back.

Before we all roast elitewheels, can you confirm you purchased from the OFFICAL Ali store store ? There are a couple of sellers running under a similar name.

[cyruscycles]

That's total BS from elitewheels, I will not consider buying from them again. 80 psi on 32mm is not high at all and well within specs. For example Continental advises a max psi of 85-102 for a 32mm GP5k.

I would do credit card charge back.

Before we all roast elitewheels, can you confirm you purchased from the OFFICAL Ali store store ? There are a couple of sellers running under a similar name.

Yeah, official Elitewheels store. Gave them my Aliexpress order number through email. I’ve been talking to Peter at XMCS about spec-ing a new set of wheels to fit my tires, and he’s been patient and and offering helpful guidance around picking my rims, hubs entry style, spoke hole vs hole-less rims. I definitely think @Serge_K is right about working with an actual person.