The Elitewheels Drive 50D II wheels are praised for their excellent manufacturing quality, responsive acceleration, and stable high-speed performance, but face criticism for difficult tire mounting and a harsh ride on rough surfaces.
Pros
- Excellent lateral and radial trueness with highly consistent spoke tension
- Wider rim width creates better tire transition and inflated profile
- Responsive acceleration and ability to maintain speed on rolling terrain
- Stable at high speeds (past 70 km/h) and predictable in crosswinds
Cons
- Extremely difficult tire mounting requiring levers and significant effort
- Harsh ride quality on rough roads due to stiffness
- Price increased from $1199 to $1299
- Long-term reliability of conical ratchet hubs and ceramic bearings is unproven
Key Facts
- Rim internal width: 23.2 mm, external width: 30.7 mm
- Weight: ~1300g claimed (tested sets around 1322g)
- Hubs feature 50-tooth conical ratchet system replacing pawl design
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer provides a detailed review of the Elitewheels Drive 2 (second generation) wheels, comparing them to the first generation and testing them in-house and in the Slovenian mountains. They note improvements in presentation, quality control, and design, including a wider rim, redesigned hubs with a conical ratchet, wider carbon spokes, and a reduced hook rim profile. The wheels are praised for their responsiveness, acceleration, stability at high speeds and in crosswinds, low weight, and excellent manufacturing quality. However, the reviewer notes difficulties mounting tires, a harsh ride on rough roads, and expresses some long-term reliability concerns about the hubs and the new rim design. They conclude that the wheels are a worthy successor and a top contender in their price range.
AI Summary
Pros
- Improved presentation and packaging
- Includes quality control protocol sheet signed by the builder
- Wider internal (23.2 mm) and external (30.7 mm) rim width for better tire transition
- Weight remains low (~1300g claimed)
- Completely redesigned hubs with a 50-tooth conical ratchet for larger engagement surface
- Enclosed hub flanges prevent spokes from popping out if one breaks
- Wider carbon spokes (4.5 mm vs 3.2 mm)
- Reduced hook rim design (between hooked and hookless)
- Excellent lateral and radial trueness
- Highly consistent spoke tension
- Perfectly centered hubs
- Smooth and clean rim interior with no excess resin
- Tires seat easily with a floor pump once mounted
- Responsive, agile, and instant acceleration
- Feel fast and hold speed well, especially on rolling terrain
- Rock solid stability on long descents (past 70 km/h) and in crosswinds
- Predictable and safe in crosswinds compared to some competitors
- Good cornering grip due to wider inflated tire profile
- Enjoyable for climbing due to low weight
- Hub engagement is fast, precise, and solid
- Hub sound is loud but not annoying
- Elite Wheels continuously improves products and processes
- Sponsors professional teams, indicating a commitment to quality
Cons
- Tire mounting is very difficult; required levers and effort
- Ride is harsh on rough roads
- Loss of rim brake version
- Price increased from $1199 to $1299
- New decals not available in white
- Long-term reliability of the new conical ratchet hubs and ceramic bearings is unproven
- The reduced hook rim design is not as proven as traditional designs; concern about potential tire blowoffs as with hookless rims
- Carbon spokes make the ride less comfortable than steel-spoked wheels
- Not as fast as dramatically faster than the first generation
- Spokes have rounded heads, which can make wheel building more difficult and require more care
The reviewer provides a detailed analysis of the Elitewheels Drive 50D II wheels, noting they offer rapid acceleration and are stiff but can be harsh on rough roads. They praise improvements over the first generation including wider internal rim width, new Kinetic hubs with 50T ratchet, and better crosswind stability, but express concerns about bearing quality and difficulty mounting tires.
AI Summary
Pros
- Rapid acceleration
- Stiff construction
- Better suited for wide tires due to wider internal rim width
- More stable in crosswinds
- Roll well on flats
- Well built and assembled
- Excellent spoke tension consistency
- Perfect radial trueness
- Good lateral trueness (less than 0.3mm deviation)
- Well-centered hubs
- Tires seat easily with floor pump
- Includes tubeless tape and valves pre-installed
- Includes 4 spare spokes
- Includes quality control protocol
- 3-year warranty
- Improved packaging over previous generation
Cons
- Can be harsh on rough roads due to stiffness
- Concern about bearing quality based on experience with first generation
- Difficulty mounting tires (required tire levers, described as 'probably the worst' of all wheels tested)
- Higher price than previous generation ($1299 vs $1199)
- Not available for rim brakes anymore
Where to Buy
Elitewheels Drive 50D II
Questions about Elitewheels Drive 50D II
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