Real benefits of upgrading Elite Wheels Drive I or a similar good wheelset

[k0M_hUnter]

Hello all,

Currently I have the Elitewheels Drive 1st gen 50mm 21internal wheelset, which for me is the best one I had so far.
Also I have a lot of free time and watching all the new wheelsets popping up, so... thinking of a 55 Front - 60/65 Rear , 23-25 internal.

Will I see any big difference and where? Speed/stiffness/easier to mount tires (currently I had issues only with mounting Pirelli TLR RS, although everyone has with those)

PS:
- I want to think that I am sprinter (max 1470Watts). Also I am around 85kg. (Started going to the gym the previous months and instead of doing only legs, I am maxxing out everything )
- There is some brake rub during sprinting, but it might be also the fork of the Canyon Ultimate CF SL ...to be upgraded at some point with an aero frame
- I do only Road races, no criteriums (unfortunately we don't have in Greece)...so maybe I shouldn't be looking for a super stiff wheelset

[crazyravr]

Honestly from my experience, next to none. The only difference you will notice when you hold them in your hands and the new wheels might be significantly (300g) lighter, and when you look at them on your bike. Other than that, nothing. Its all about the "feel" some will say, yea.......... no.
Why not just get a second wheelset, whatever you think you might like from the many manufacturers here, and try it out? Its all just a hobby after all, no?

Hello all,

Currently I have the Elitewheels Drive 1st gen 50mm 21internal wheelset, which for me is the best one I had so far.
Also I have a lot of free time and watching all the new wheelsets popping up, so... thinking of a 55 Front - 60/65 Rear , 23-25 internal.

Will I see any big difference and where? Speed/stiffness/easier to mount tires (currently I had issues only with mounting Pirelli TLR RS, although everyone has with those)

PS:
- I want to think that I am sprinter (max 1470Watts). Also I am around 85kg. (Started going to the gym the previous months and instead of doing only legs, I am maxxing out everything )
- There is some brake rub during sprinting, but it might be also the fork of the Canyon Ultimate CF SL ...to be upgraded at some point with an aero frame
- I do only Road races, no criteriums (unfortunately we don't have in Greece)...so maybe I shouldn't be looking for a super stiff wheelset

[BalticSea]

If your front rotor is rubbing, look into the fork issues, stiffer wheelset won't help there as you don't send any torque through the front wheel.

Newer wheels have ratchet style hubs, slightly wider dimensions and bit lighter, nothing major.

[k0M_hUnter]

Thanks for the reply.
The "problem" is that both DFS and Zen suggested wheels ~1300gr. (because of the watts + weight)
Actually the "proper" wheel-set from Zen was about 1380gr (although 55F-60R from my 50/50 @1300gr)
So...I won't even see the weight difference.

So far, the only benefit would be a slightly more aero wheel-set. The outer width will be similar to the tires, so there will be a smaller gap.
Maybe also better hubs(?) . If I get the THR R2

Seems like it will only be worth it, if I sell the current wheels at a similar price (as they are more known)

EDIT: The proper update might be an aero frame. I'll keep an eye at the XMCS frame reviews

[crazyravr]

Thanks for the reply.
The "problem" is that both DFS and Zen suggested wheels ~1300gr. (because of the watts + weight)
Actually the "proper" wheel-set from Zen was about 1380gr (although 55F-60R from my 50/50 @1300gr)
So...I won't even see the weight difference.

So far, the only benefit would be a slightly more aero wheel-set. The outer width will be similar to the tires, so there will be a smaller gap.
Maybe also better hubs(?) . If I get the THR R2

Seems like it will only be worth it, if I sell the current wheels at a similar price (as they are more known)

To put this into perspective for you......... if you do a 1h long TT and travel at 45-50km/h for that one hour, the new wheels will save you 10-20 seconds. If this matters to you, only you can decide.

[Da11as]

Hello all,

Currently I have the Elitewheels Drive 1st gen 50mm 21internal wheelset, which for me is the best one I had so far.
Also I have a lot of free time and watching all the new wheelsets popping up, so... thinking of a 55 Front - 60/65 Rear , 23-25 internal.

Will I see any big difference and where? Speed/stiffness/easier to mount tires (currently I had issues only with mounting Pirelli TLR RS, although everyone has with those)

PS:
- I want to think that I am sprinter (max 1470Watts). Also I am around 85kg. (Started going to the gym the previous months and instead of doing only legs, I am maxxing out everything )
- There is some brake rub during sprinting, but it might be also the fork of the Canyon Ultimate CF SL ...to be upgraded at some point with an aero frame
- I do only Road races, no criteriums (unfortunately we don't have in Greece)...so maybe I shouldn't be looking for a super stiff wheelset

I jumped from Elite Edges (same rim profile as Drive 1st gen) to XMCS 26/33 in 58mm depth. The biggest benefit you may find is width. You will get way less punctures and more robust wheelset with wider rim as it allows for more air volume and wider tire at the same nominal width. I am yet to get a puncture even though the roads where I ride are in the worst condition than they ever were in the last 5 years. It is also way more comfortable. The crosswind stability depends a lot on tire/rim combo as well as rim profile. I've had Elite SLR in 60mm before and they are way less stable than 50mm Edges. However, 58mm XMCS is as stable as Edges (if not more stable).
Regarding the depth, the deeper is not always faster, and the difference is more likely marginal in the all-rounders realm (45-60mm). Direct mullet has no real benefits and IMO it looks worse aesthetically.

[Dan S.]

The biggest benefit you may find is width. You will get way less punctures and more robust wheelset with wider rim as it allows for more air volume and wider tire at the same nominal width.

I am soon about to jump to a 24mm internal (from a 21mm internal). I am very curious about the "comfort" everyone is bragging about. Let’s see what the fuzz is about.

[crazyravr]

I am soon about to jump to a 24mm internal (from a 21mm internal). I am very curious about the "comfort" everyone is bragging about. Let’s see what the fuzz is about.

About the same as going from a 28mm to 30mm tire.

[Sander2177]

Hello all,

Currently I have the Elitewheels Drive 1st gen 50mm 21internal wheelset, which for me is the best one I had so far.
Also I have a lot of free time and watching all the new wheelsets popping up, so... thinking of a 55 Front - 60/65 Rear , 23-25 internal.

Will I see any big difference and where? Speed/stiffness/easier to mount tires (currently I had issues only with mounting Pirelli TLR RS, although everyone has with those)

PS:
- I want to think that I am sprinter (max 1470Watts). Also I am around 85kg. (Started going to the gym the previous months and instead of doing only legs, I am maxxing out everything )
- There is some brake rub during sprinting, but it might be also the fork of the Canyon Ultimate CF SL ...to be upgraded at some point with an aero frame
- I do only Road races, no criteriums (unfortunately we don't have in Greece)...so maybe I shouldn't be looking for a super stiff wheelset

Honestly, based on your weight and sprint power, the fork is more than likely the main contributor to the brake rub rather than the wheels.
A wheel upgrade may reduce it slightly, but if brake rub under sprinting really bothers you, a frame/fork upgrade (especially to a more aero, stiffer front end) will make a bigger difference than changing from a 50 mm to a 60/65 mm wheelset.

[k0M_hUnter]

Oops I missed the latest posts. Thanks again for the extra opinions/suggestions.
I pushed the fork and indeed the brake pads touch the disc, so it's a "frameset" issue.

Now I am waiting for the aero results of the new XMCS VRT (they say, it should be similar to QuickPro ER:One)
,but also wondering if I should just get the Lightcarbon LCR020 (whenever it will be available) for more than half the price.

The frame will be accompanied with a new 50+mil deep wheelset from either DFS,Zen,Peter