Road Bike Wheel Buyers Guide: By an Engineer
Introduction
Since my early days on YouTube I have taken an interest in the testing of bicycle wheels. It started with a few companies sending wheels and me riding around like a clown pretending subjective testing meant something. Subjective testing on a bike is bro science gone mad, so that approach was ditched and replaced with proper engineering. If you want real data, you cannot rely on how a wheel feels when you are half out of breath on a bypass.
Since 2022 I have been asked by several major manufacturers to assess their wheels both mechanically and aerodynamically. That means structural inspection, spoke system evaluation, rim geometry, hub tolerance checks, balance, vortex shedding analysis and proper aero testing. It is the dull end of cycling content but it is the bit that matters.
Below is a round up of the best wheels at present. This list gets updated as new products arrive and as performance changes. Some wheels improve. Some fall down the table. Some get ridden straight into the bin.
The Best Wheels Overall
Two wheels sit at the top of the current field. The Elite Drive 2 and the 9Velo CD Wide. Both are exceptional sets but they achieve their performance through very different approaches.
Elite Drive 2 Wide Aero
The Elitewheels Drive 2 set tested was 50 front and 65 rear with an internal width around 23 mm and an external width around 31 mm. Mechanically it is well built. It uses carbon elliptical spokes and captive nipples so a single nipple failure cannot destroy the wheel. The hub uses a wide pitch circle for the spoke holes which gives a strong bracing angle. That would normally increase mass but the hub is machined down to offset it. The ratchet engagement is quick and positive even if the sound will make your club mates wonder if you have anger management issues.
On the aerodynamic side the rim profile uses a “U and V blend” which improves flow attachment and keeps the stall point further out. In real world tests the wheel holds attached flow well and remains stable across a broad yaw range. If you choose a full deep set with 65 mm both ends the stability at speed is excellent which is important if you ride on open roads and enjoy descending without touching the brakes.
In short the Elite Drive 2 is a very good all rounder. It is stiff, tidy from a manufacturing standpoint and provides above average aero performance without false promises.
Click here for detailed review
9Velo CD Wide
The 9Velo CD 58 front and 65 rear wheels use a carbon rim with a very clean internal finish. Reinforcement is only placed where it is needed around the spoke holes. Internal width is around 24 mm with an external around 30 mm. The spoke pattern is cross laced on all sides which increases torsional and lateral stiffness and gives exceptional power transfer when you are putting the hammer down. Spoke tension was measured ultrasonically so consistency is high across the wheel build.
The hubs are manufactured to very tight tolerances. Radial and lateral run out is minimal, freehub bodies are available in Alumnium and Titanium. 9Velo are one of the few companies that offer Titanium freehubs and is a no brainer option. Vibration and bearing stress are low which extends service life and reduces losses. Mass distribution is excellent which increases the critical speed to well over 50 km per hour. That translates into stability at high speed with none of the harmonic nonsense found on lesser wheels.
Aerodynamically the 9Velo performs well above average for its depth. The rim joins the tyre cleanly which reduces drag. Bladed spokes and minimal nipple exposure help too. Cross lacing gives a very minor aero penalty compared to radial patterns but the mechanical gains far outweigh that tiny loss.
The 9Velo CD Wide is a mechanical benchmark set. Precision machining, clean layup, excellent tolerances and brute stability. It is the wheel you buy when you want nothing to go wrong and you want the performance to remain consistent for years.
Click here for detailed review
Best Budget Wheels
There is a significant choice in the area of budget wheels and to a large extent, the term budget is somewhat misplaced. Modern wheels at a low price point would be easily top of the scale just a few years ago. The main difference between the budget and top of the range wheels are the weight and the absolute choice in components – they tend to be budget friendly components that are often cheaper to manufacture. Steel spokes as opposed to carbon a common difference at this price point.
At very low price points, the experience can be a minefield. The buying process could result in a bargain or a total disaster thus proceeding with caution would be advised.
Karvon KVS These wheels use good quality components (H-Works hubs, alpina spokes) and the 24H wheels are good value. They are light for a steel spoked wheel. Karvon will also customise the wheels with your logo. Expect this brand to gain much wider recognition soon
Best Wheels for Heavier Riders: Winspace LUN MEGA
An often overlooked category is wheels for heavier riders, where structural stiffness and load management matter far more than marketing weight claims. The Winspace LUN Mega stands out in this segment due to its integrated spoke to hub architecture, which significantly reduces stress concentrations at the flange and improves fatigue life under high cyclic loads.
In rider testing, particularly among heavier cyclists, the LUN Mega consistently delivers superior stability and impact resilience compared to conventional J bend or straight pull spoked systems. The reduced compliance at the spoke hub interface limits micro movement, which is a primary cause of spoke fatigue and wheel wind up under torque.
The wheel is extremely stiff laterally, meaning it exhibits minimal deflection when the bike is leaned into corners or loaded during hard efforts. This produces a more predictable contact patch and a reduction in tyre squirm and spoke unloading, all of which become more pronounced as rider mass increases.
The aerodynamics of this wheelset are inherently good due to the flat spoke design that goes directly to to the hub flange.
