The NOVA Carbon Wheels with Ceramic Hub offer a premium, lightweight performance package with excellent stiffness, crosswind stability, and thoughtful accessories, though some users report minor assembly issues and tire-mounting challenges.
Pros
- Excellent crosswind stability and lateral stiffness with immediate power transfer
- Lightweight construction accelerates quickly and feels responsive
- Includes comprehensive accessories: wheel bag, spare spokes, tubeless valves, rim tape, and specialized tools
- Patented hub flange design prevents spokes from disengaging during failure
Cons
- Tire mounting is challenging, often requiring tire levers and multiple attempts to seat
- Rim tape is not pre-installed, which some find disappointing at this price point
- Titanium T-heads are more prone to galvanic corrosion than aluminum alternatives
- Standard warranty excludes freehub and bearings, with extended coverage requiring additional cost
Key Facts
- Pair weight ranges from 1220g to 1258g depending on configuration
- Internal rim width is 23-23.4mm with external width of 29.6-31mm
- Features 3.2mm 1A/Vonoa carbon spokes with titanium T-heads and hidden nipples
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer provides a technical analysis of the NOVA Carbon Wheels with Ceramic Hub from Nepest, covering design, construction, performance, and features. He highlights the rim strength, spoke design, hub mechanics, and overall build quality, noting good aerodynamics and ease of service.
AI Summary
Pros
- Comes with comprehensive accessories including spare spokes, rim tape, tubeless valves, a tool, manual, and a high-quality wheel bag
- Rim design supports modern wider tires with 30mm external and 23mm internal width
- Tubeless compatible
- Available in multiple depths (35mm, 45mm, 55mm) and mixed-depth combinations
- Rim rated for 120 PSI with good strength for wide rims
- Cross-laced and radially laced spokes for better stiffness and load transmission
- Hidden spoke nipples recessed below rim edge for aero benefits
- Vonoa carbon spokes (4th generation) with titanium ends to prevent corrosion
- T-head spoke design self-aligns in hub to reduce torsional fatigue
- Hub uses DT-style ratchet system (e.g., 36-tooth, upgradeable to 54) with easy servicing and no special tools required
- Bearings are oversized (e.g., 15267) with good load capacity, though some are SEMA ceramic bearings
- Good tire-to-rim transition with minimal light-bulbing
- Disc brake alignment is problem-free
- Aero performance is 'bang on' for wheels of this size
- Crosswind stability is not significantly different between 35mm and 55mm depths except in very windy conditions
Cons
- The reviewer has mixed feelings about the SEMA ceramic bearings
- Bearings were noted to be a bit tight during testing
- The 35mm depth rim is blunter and likely not as fast aerodynamically as the 55mm
- Comfort may be slightly less than shallower rims due to deeper depth, though vibration damping is improved with longer spokes
Key Points
- Front wheel weight: 63g, rear wheel weight: 692g
- Rim depths available: 35mm, 45mm, 55mm, with mixed-depth options (e.g., 35mm front/55mm rear)
- Rim width: 30mm external, 23mm internal
- Spoke count: 21 spokes per wheel (2:1 lacing ratio)
- Spoke type: Vonoa carbon spokes (~3.1-3.2mm wide, 0.9mm thick) with titanium ends
- Spoke nipples are hidden and require a special Vonoa tool for access
- Hub uses a DT-style ratchet system (e.g., 36-tooth, upgradeable to 54-tooth)
- Bearings: Includes 6802 and 15267 sizes, with some being SEMA ceramic
- Rim pressure rating: 120 PSI (with safety factor potentially up to 180 PSI)
- Hooked rim design for safety
- Freehub is aluminum
- Disc brake mount is center lock
The reviewer provides a detailed evaluation of the NOVA Carbon Wheels from Nepest. They describe the unboxing experience, highlight the premium materials and construction, and test the wheels for weight, trueness, and build quality. The reviewer notes the wheels are a premium performance road wheel set with tailored carbon layup, carbon spokes, ceramic bearings, and a DT Swiss-style ratchet freehub. They share positive personal experience with a previous Nepest wheel set and express confidence that this new set will be just as good. However, they also raise general industry concerns about Chinese manufacturers regarding warranty support and long-term reliability.
AI Summary
Pros
- Beautiful, high-quality wheel bags included
- Premium performance product
- High-quality T800 carbon rims
- Laser-etched design/branding (won't peel, adds no weight)
- Rims include breathe holes
- Bare carbon finish (no paint/lacquer) shows quality of layup
- Tailored carbon layup for lighter weight and increased strength
- Uses branded, expensive Venoa carbon spokes (4th gen, very light at ~1.5g each)
- Includes special spoke tool and four extra spokes
- Hubs have labyrinth seals and O-rings for bearing protection
- Uses branded SEMA ceramic bearings (cycling-specific, reliable)
- Hub design includes a channel for the spoke mantle to prevent de-lacing
- Uses DT Swiss Star ratchet style freehub mechanism (not annoyingly loud)
- Lightweight (front 561g, rear 659g, total 1220g)
- Excellent lateral trueness (0.2mm on both front and rear)
- Perfect radial runout and spoke tension
- Free worldwide shipping
- 3-year standard warranty (extendable to 5 years)
- Reviewer had a very positive 2-year experience with a previous Nepest wheel set
- Reviewer expresses confidence this new set will be just as good
Cons
- General industry concerns: Are they as well-made as claimed? Is the warranty worth the paper it's written on? Will the manufacturer help with technical problems?
- Potential issue with carbon spokes and side-entry hubs (theoretical risk of de-lacing under extreme impact, though Nepest has a design to combat this)
- End caps were on very tight (required a bearing puller to loosen, which could be a problem for someone without the tool)
- Standard warranty does not cover freehub and bearings
- Extended warranty costs extra
Key Points
- Brand: Nepest
- Model: Nova wheel set
- Type: Premium performance road wheel
- Available sizes: 35mm to 66mm deep, also 'mullet' options
- Reviewed size: 45mm deep
- Rim: Hooked tubeless design, T800 carbon
- Rim dimensions: 23mm internal, 31mm external
- Tire compatibility: 28mm to 47mm
- Spokes: 21 carbon spokes per wheel (Venoa 4th gen, titanium nipples)
- Hub bearings: SEMA ceramic
- Hub mechanism: DT Swiss Star ratchet style
- Weight: Front 561g, Rear 659g, Total 1220g
- Price: Roughly £1,100 / $1,500
- Shipping: Free worldwide
- Warranty: 3 years standard (extendable to 5 years for a fee)
The reviewer provides a detailed review of the Nepas Nova carbon wheels, covering unboxing, specifications, in-house quality control tests, and riding impressions. They note the wheels arrived in a bright green box with quality accessories like a proper wheel bag, tubeless valves, rim tape, spare spokes, and a tool. The wheels weigh 1258g for a 45mm front/55mm rear mallet setup. They feature 3.2mm 1A carbon spokes with hidden nipples and titanium T-heads, a patented hub flange design for safety, a 36-tooth ratchet mechanism, and SEMA ceramic bearings. The reviewer found the wheels to be well-assembled with excellent trueness and tension consistency. In riding, they felt stiff with immediate power transfer, comfortable, and stable in crosswinds, but noted speed maintenance felt marginally slower than heavier wheels. The reviewer compares them extensively to competitors like the Lun Hyper 5, Elite Wheels Drive 2, and others.
AI Summary
Pros
- Arrives in a bright green box, different from standard packaging
- Includes a quality, usable wheel bag
- Includes tubeless valves, rim tape, four spare spokes, an instruction manual, and a tool for hidden nipples
- Packaging is nicely branded
- Wheels look solid out of the box
- Pair weighs 1258g for a 45/55mm mallet setup
- Uses 3.2mm 1A carbon spokes
- Hidden nipples should slightly improve aerodynamics and marginally increase comfort
- Spokes use titanium T-heads for perfect alignment
- Patented hub flange design keeps spokes in place in case of failure
- Uses a 36-tooth ratchet mechanism with SEMA ceramic bearings (expected higher quality)
- Freehub sound is on the quieter side (reviewer likes this)
- Excellent trueness with minimal deviation
- Spoke tension consistent, within 5% of average
- Rim centering offset is minimal and doesn't affect ride
- Internal rim structure is pretty smooth
- Ride feels relatively comfortable
- Wheels feel pretty stiff with immediate power transfer
- Excellent crosswind stability
- Accelerate faster due to lighter weight
- Includes thoughtful extras (wheel bag, spare spokes, hidden nipples, patented flange) that make the experience feel complete
- Offers a well-balanced mix of stiffness, comfort, stability, and speed
Cons
- Rim tape was not pre-installed (disappointment at this price point)
- Tire rim transition not the smoothest with 28mm tires inflating to over 31mm
- Titanium T-heads are more prone to galvanic corrosion than aluminum heads
- Patented flange design effectiveness is curious, and other brands might copy it
- Freehub mechanism is described as a bit more generic compared to some competitors
- Mounting tires was challenging; needed tire levers and front wheel required two attempts with a floor pump to seat
- Speed maintenance doesn't feel as good as on heavier wheels; feels marginally slower due to lower momentum
- Differences from other carbon spoke wheels are very small; in a blind test, couldn't tell them apart
Key Points
- Brand/Model: Nepas Nova wheels, 45mm and 55mm mallet setup
- Weight: 1258g for the pair
- Rim Dimensions: 23.4mm internal width, 29.6mm external width
- Spokes: 3.2mm 1A carbon spokes with hidden nipples
- Spoke Heads: Titanium T-heads
- Hub Flanges: Patented design with narrower holes to keep spokes in place if failed
- Drivetrain: 36-tooth ratchet mechanism
- Bearings: SEMA ceramic bearings
- Accessories: Wheel bag, tubeless valves, rim tape (not pre-installed), four spare spokes, manual, hidden nipple tool
- Trueness: Almost perfect, minimal deviation
- Tension Consistency: All spokes within 5% of average tension
- Rim Centering: Hubs not perfectly aligned but offset is minimal
- Tire Mounting: Challenging; rims are hooked
- Ride Feel: Stiff, immediate power transfer, comfortable, stable in crosswinds
- Speed: Accelerates fast but speed maintenance feels marginally slower than heavier wheels
- Visual: Reviewer likes the look of the mallet setup
cyclistshub.com
The reviewer provides a detailed analysis of the Nepest NOVA carbon wheels with ceramic hubs, noting they were pleasantly surprised by the included extras. The wheels scored highly in in-house tests for crosswind stability, stiffness, and spoke tension, and performed well on the road with good comfort and speed maintenance. However, the reviewer mentions some minor assembly issues and difficulty with tire mounting.
AI Summary
Pros
- Pleasantly surprised by extras like wheel bag, spare spokes, and 3-year warranty
- Excellent crosswind stability (5/5)
- High stiffness (5/5)
- Good riding comfort (4/5)
- Good speed maintenance (4/5)
- Almost perfect lateral and radial trueness
- Great spoke tension consistency
- Stable in crosswinds
- Pretty comfortable considering carbon spokes
- Fast feeling on the road
- Patented hub flange design for safety
- Includes tubeless rim tape (though not installed)
- Includes tubeless valves
- Multiple designs and rim depths available
- Quiet but pleasant hub sound
- Well built and assembled
- Lightweight, stiff, and responsive
Cons
- Rim tape was not installed (competitors often have it installed)
- Tire mounting was challenging, requiring tire levers
- Tire seating with floor pump was difficult, especially on front wheel
- Hub not perfectly centered in dishing test (though still scored highly)
- Some epoxy remnants found inside the rim
- Price scored only 3/5
- Tire on/off difficulty scored 3/5
Key Points
- Weight: Front 567g, Rear 691g (total 1258g measured)
- Rim depth: 45mm front, 55mm rear (mullet setup)
- Internal rim width: 23.4mm
- External rim width: 29.6mm
- Spokes: 3.2mm wide Vonoa carbon spokes with hidden nipples
- Hubs: 36T ratchet with Cema ceramic bearings
- Rider weight limit: 275lbs (125kg)
- Patented flange design prevents spokes from sliding off during failure
- Type: Clincher (tubeless-ready), hooked
- Includes 4 spare spokes and tool for hidden nipples
- Scored 4.2/5 overall in reviewer's rating system
- Uses steel 32T ratchets in hubs
- Tires inflate to 30-31mm on these rims
Where to Buy
NOVA Carbon Wheels With Ceramic Hub (New) | Nepest
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