Elitewheels Drive II

The reviewer provides a long-term analysis of the Elitewheels Drive II wheelset, noting significant improvements over the first generation. They highlight the new mixed-depth option (deeper front, shallower rear) and praise the wheels for their low spoke tension drop after tire installation, well-greased internals, and overall durability through a British winter. However, they mention issues such as high tire mounting difficulty, a twisted spoke despite QC claims, loud freehub, and lack of micro spline freehub option.

The reviewer tested Elitewheels Drive II carbon wheels over nearly 1,000 km and found them to be a strong performer in their price bracket, praising their stiffness-to-comfort balance, aesthetics, and overall package, while noting minor drawbacks in weight and internal carbon finish.

The reviewer names the Elitewheels Drive II as the winner in the best premium carbon wheel category. They note it costs around $1,300 with a 15% discount code bringing it to about $1,100. The reviewer highlights improvements over the original Drive, including a 50-tooth style ratchet for faster engagement, 23mm inner width and 31mm external width rims, and a weight of approximately 1,300 grams. They have ridden about 1,000-1,500 km on them and report strong performance across spoke tension, carbon fiber quality, rim finish, and build consistency, with no standout weaknesses. The reviewer also praises the rainbow colorway as their favorite-looking wheelset.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.