The Serenade Snakeskin Carbon Road Wheelset is a direct-sold, high-value carbon wheelset that impresses with its light weight, stiff carbon-spoke build, and premium snakeskin finish, often compared favorably to far more expensive brands. However, buyers should be aware of a few recurring issues: the 65mm depth can be a handful in strong crosswinds, bearings are a known weak point requiring early replacement, and ceramic bearing upgrades must be requested via WhatsApp rather than through the website. Overall, both reviewers and forum owners strongly recommend it for riders seeking performance on a budget.
Pros
- Excellent value: about £500 or $553-711 delivered for a 65 mm carbon-spoke set, comparable to Scope wheelsets at a fraction of the price.12
- Light for 65 mm: about 1,296 g claimed, 1,336 g measured with thick tubeless tape fitted.1
- Stiff and confidence-inspiring under hard sprints (1,550 W) with no issues; good for climbing and sprinting up to 55-59 km/h.12
- Premium feel and finish; the snakeskin texture runs continuously to the rim edge, unlike some other sellers' versions.12
- Arrive true and ready to ride, with tubeless tape fitted, valves and two spare spokes.1
- Flexible ordering: 20/20 spoke builds, silver or black hubs, and custom stickers for about $15.1
- Hubs take DT Swiss ratchets and springs, which simplifies servicing.1
- Good after-sales support, with replacement parts supplied under warranty; friendly and honest customer service.12
- Rolling is fantastic, handling and cornering are good, and responsive pedal engagement.2
Cons
- At 65 mm they are a handful in strong side gusts (around 45 km/h winds); lighter or less confident riders may prefer something shallower.12
- Bearings are the brand's weak point: several owners needed early replacements, especially after wet rides.1
- Measured weight runs about 40 g over the claim, partly from heavy tubeless tape.1
- 23 mm internal width is narrow for current tyre trends; one owner would prefer 25 mm.1
- Loud carbon rolling noise.1
- Communication can stall during assembly delays, and custom stickers may ship separately later.1
- Carbon spokes are harder to replace than steel spokes.1
- Front wheel feels a bit soft and shakes when sprinting full gas.2
- Ceramic bearing option not available on website; must request via WhatsApp, and uncertainty whether ceramic bearings are actually installed (hub has no branding).2
- Long wait time (3 weeks to 1 month).2
Key Facts
- Claimed weight about 1,296 g; measured 1,336 g with thick tubeless tape fitted (about 40 g over claim).1
- Price around £500-531 to the UK, $553-711 paid; DDP to the US quoted at $733; ceramic bearing upgrade adds $60 SGD (total about $900 SGD).12
- 65 mm depth, 23 mm internal width, rim profile based on the Scope design; carbon spokes 3.9 mm, 24/24 standard with 20/20 available on request.1
- SR-series hubs (e.g., SR268) with DT Swiss-compatible ratchets; available in black or silver.1
- Includes tubeless tape fitted, tubeless valves, and two spare carbon spokes.1
- Delivery takes about one month (ordered 28 September, delivered 28 October 2026); custom stickers cost about $15 and may ship separately.1
- Discount code CHINABIKES gives 8% off.1
- Ceramic bearing upgrade must be requested via WhatsApp (contact Maria) for $60 SGD; not available as a website option.2
Reviews & Ratings
20:53The reviewer discusses the Serenade Snakeskin Carbon Road Wheelset, which he uses on his Cannondale Evo Six Lab 71. He notes that he accidentally ordered a 65mm front and rear instead of the intended 45mm front and 65mm rear. He praises the wheelset's performance, stiffness, and finishing, and mentions setting a personal record on a climb. He compares it favorably to his Two Coast wheelset and Chris King hub wheelset, but notes some front wheel flex during sprints and concerns about crosswind stability due to the high profile. He also mentions that ceramic bearings are not an option on the website and must be requested via WhatsApp, and he is unsure if ceramic bearings are actually installed. Overall, he strongly recommends the wheelset.
11:20The reviewer unboxes a Serenade Snakeskin Carbon Road Wheelset, which he compares favorably to more expensive Scope wheelsets. He highlights its light weight, carbon spokes, ceramic bearings, and snake-skin-like finish. He notes that ceramic bearings must be requested via WhatsApp for an extra $60 SGD, and that the total cost is around $630 USD plus $60 SGD, equivalent to about $900 SGD. He mentions a 3-week to 1-month wait time due to production. He has not yet tested performance but plans to install tires and tubes for future testing.
The Serenade Snakeskin is a direct-sold carbon road wheelset with a textured 'snakeskin' rim surface similar to the Scope Artech, sold mostly in 65 mm depth with 23 mm internal width, carbon spokes (24/24 standard, 20/20 on request) and SR-series hubs that take DT Swiss ratchets. It sits in Serenade's range next to the wavy-rim TRW models, with which it shares hubs, service and shipping. Claimed weight is about 1,296 g; one set weighed 1,336 g with thick, well-applied tubeless tape. Wheels arrive with valves and two spare spokes. Prices in autumn 2026 ranged from about £500 to $553-711 delivered (DDP quotes up to $733), and orders took about a month. Owners rate them as premium-feeling, true and smooth, with the textured pattern running continuously to the rim edge, unlike some other sellers' snakeskin rims. They have survived 1,550 W sprints. As expected at 65 mm, they move noticeably in strong side gusts and make the typical loud carbon rolling noise. One owner would prefer 25 mm internal width. Bearings are the brand's recurring weak point, and communication can stall during assembly delays, although custom stickers and spoke counts are easy to arrange for about $15.
AI Summary
Pros
- Excellent value: about £500 or $553-711 delivered for a 65 mm carbon-spoke set.
- Light for 65 mm: about 1,296 g claimed, 1,336 g measured with thick tubeless tape fitted.
- Premium feel and finish; the snakeskin texture runs continuously to the rim edge, unlike some other sellers' versions.
more pros in the review
Cons
- At 65 mm they are a handful in strong side gusts (around 45 km/h winds); lighter or less confident riders may prefer something shallower.
- Measured weight runs about 40 g over the claim, partly from heavy tubeless tape.
- 23 mm internal width is narrow for current tyre trends.
more cons in the review
Key Points
- 65 mm depth, 23 mm internal width, rim profile based on the Scope design.
- Carbon spokes, 3.9 mm, 24/24 standard; 20/20 available on request.
- Claimed about 1,296 g; measured 1,336 g with tubeless tape.
more key points in the review
Where to Buy
Serenade Snakeskin Surface 65mm/45mm Carbon Road Wheelset | Carbon Spokes
Variants
| Configuration | Rim Depth | Internal Rim Width | Spoke Type | Spoke Count Front | Spoke Count Rear | Rider Weight Limit | Hub Engagement | Spoke Model | Weight | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45mm | 45 mm | 23 mm | Carbon | 24 | 110 kg | 36T star ratchet (10 deg) | 3.5 mm bladed carbon | 1,210g | 699.00 $ | ||
| 50mm | 50 mm | 21.5 mm | Steel Bladed | — | — | 100 kg | 36 tooth | Pillar Wing20 | 1,190g | — | |
| 65mm | 65 mm | 23 mm | Carbon | 24 | 110 kg | 36T star ratchet (10 deg) | 3.5 mm bladed carbon | 1,290g | 699.00 $ | ||
Specifications
Attributes
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