The Elitewheels Drive 65D II is a high-performance 65mm deep carbon wheelset praised for its stiffness, comfortable ride quality, and good value, though its depth makes acceleration slower than shallower wheels.
Pros
- Fast performance with good crosswind stability
- Comfortable ride despite stiffness due to carbon spoke design
- Solid, stiff feel ideal for racing and group rides
- Good value for specifications and price
Cons
- 65mm depth makes acceleration slower than shallower wheels
- Loud freehub sound (50-tooth clutch) that may annoy other riders
- Slightly heavier than ideal (1,460g total)
- Glossy finish may not match matte frames
Key Facts
- 65mm depth front and rear
- 23mm internal rim width, 31mm external rim width
- Total weight 1,460-1,483g (including valves/tape)
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer presents the Elitewheels Drive 65D II as a new generation of their Drive wheel set, featuring a 65mm deep, dark glossy rim with a mini-hook design, carbon fiber spokes, ceramic bearings, and a high-flange hub for improved stiffness and power transfer. After testing, the reviewer praises their performance, stiffness, and road feel, while noting the loud freehub sound and slightly higher weight as minor drawbacks.
AI Summary
Pros
- High gloss, dark gray finish with subtle marbling
- Comes with rim tape and tubeless valves pre-installed
- Mini-hook rim design compatible with hook-type tires
- Wide tire compatibility (28-45C, optimized for 28-30C)
- Carbon fiber spokes (4.5mm width for optimal aerodynamics)
- High-flange hub design on drive/rotor sides for increased stiffness and direct power transfer
- Ceramic bearings (smooth, quiet operation)
- Good spoke tension consistency and wheel trueness
- Excellent wheel dishing (near perfect)
- Includes four replacement spokes (additional available for $5 each)
- Rubber O-rings and double dust seals for weather protection
- Flat-wire clutch spring for strength
- Conical clutch ring teeth for stronger engagement
- Stiffness provides confident cornering and road feel
- Comfortable ride despite stiffness due to spoke count and tension balance
- Good value with 15% discount (bringing price to ~$1,104 from $1,299)
Cons
- Loud freehub sound (50-tooth clutch, described as 'deep growly' and potentially annoying to other riders)
- Slightly heavier than ideal (1,460g for the pair; reviewer suggests reducing by ~50g)
- Glossy finish may not match matte frames
- Decals interfere with lateral trueness measurements (though actual deviation is minimal)
Key Points
- Model: Elitewheels Drive 65D II (also available in 50mm and 35mm depths)
- Rim dimensions: 23mm inner width, 31mm outer width
- Weights: 690g (front), 770g (rear), 1,460g total (with valves/tape)
- Spoke configuration: rear - 16 drive-side (3x cross), 8 non-drive-side (1x cross); front - 14 disc-side (3x cross), 7 non-disc-side (radial)
- Spoke material: carbon fiber (4.5mm wide, 1.2mm thick)
- Hub: High-flange design on drive/rotor sides, ceramic bearings, aluminum freehub body
- Clutch: 50-tooth, conical ring design (based on DT Swiss style), loud sound reducible with added grease
- Tire compatibility: 28-45C (optimized for 28-30C)
- Price: $1,299 (with 15% discount available)
The reviewer discusses Elitewheels as one of the most established Chinese carbon wheel brands, mentioning their product lines including the Drive series, and notes their presence in both premium and budget markets.
AI Summary
Pros
- Most established/best known brand on the list
- Established relatively early (2015)
- Good social proof online with many real-world user experiences
- Offers a crash replacement policy with 38% discount on replacements
- Official carbon wheel sponsor of GCN adding credibility
- Sells budget options like ENT 2.0 for around $350 through AliExpress
- Has three product lines: Drive (flagship racing), Helix (premium with wavy rim), Marvel (budget with steel spokes)
Key Points
- Drive wheel set is their flagship racing wheel set with full carbon spokes and ceramic bearings
- Drive wheels weigh 1,339g for 50mm depth
- Drive wheels are described as their lightest and stiffest wheels, built for climbers and racers
- Standard three-year warranty on wheels
- Sells premium offerings directly through their website and budget offerings through AliExpress
The reviewer presents a detailed review of the Elitewheels Drive 65D II wheels, which are brand new for 2025. They cover the specifications, weight, and key updates from the previous version. The reviewer states they have ridden the wheels for 2-3 weeks and found them to be fast, comfortable, and solid, suitable for crit races or fast group rides on flat terrain. They highlight the comfort from wider carbon spokes and improved crosswind stability. The main criticism is that the 65mm depth makes them less quick to accelerate compared to shallower wheels. The reviewer concludes they offer great value for a ready-made wheel, especially with a promotional discount.
AI Summary
Pros
- Gorgeous look
- Fast performance
- Comfortable ride
- Solid feel for crits/group rides
- Wider carbon bladed spokes offer more comfort/flex
- Improved crosswind stability vs. previous version
- Good value for specs and price
- Competitive price point for a ready-made wheel
- Thoughtful rim design perfect for 28C or 30C tires
- Includes spare carbon spokes, tubeless valves, and pre-installed rim tape
- Star ratchet hub sounds incredible/loud
- Updated hub design with threaded spokes for safety in a crash
- Multiple depth and font color options available
- Brand has good cachet in the Chinese market
Cons
- Due to 65mm depth, not as quick to accelerate as shallower wheels
- $100 price increase from version one (though noted as reasonable after 4 years)
Key Points
- Brand: Elitewheels
- Model: Drive 65D, version II (2)
- Year: 2025
- Depth: 65mm front and rear
- Internal rim width: 23mm
- External rim width: 31mm
- Spokes: Wider carbon bladed spokes (from Vonda)
- Hub: DT Swiss style 36-tooth star ratchet system
- Bearings: Ceramic
- Weight: Rear 795g, Front 688g, Total 1483g (XDR freehub version)
- Tire fit: Stretches 28C GP5000 to ~30mm; ideal for 28C or 30C tires
- Retail Price: $1,299 USD
- Updates from V1: Wider carbon spokes, new rim profile (23/31), star ratchet hub, updated spoke attachment design, new design elements/font options
Where to Buy
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