INCREDIBLE Wheels… But at This Price, I Expected Better
Trace Velo
20 ottobre 2026
These might be some of the best carbon wheels I've ever ridden… but at just under $2,700, The small issue I found was slightly disappointing.
In this episode, I'm taking a closer look at the UPVINE Pro Plus, a seriously premium carbon-spoked wheelset from a relatively unknown Chinese manufacturer (at least here in the UK). I got the opportunity to visit Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub, where UPVINE were carrying out wind-tunnel testing, before bringing the wheels home to try them out for myself.
With 63 mm deep carbon rims, a 25 mm internal width, proprietary PBO-reinforced carbon spokes and some fascinating manufacturing technology, there's a lot to like here. UPVINE are clearly trying to do something different, and after around 500km on the road, I was incredibly impressed, these wheels are genuinely some of the best I have ever ridden.
Unfortunately however, I discovered a problem with the rear hub bearings that really shouldn't have made it past quality control, particularly on a wheelset costing this much.
So are these wheels worth $2,700? Is the technology genuinely impressive, or are you better off sticking with more established brands like Zipp, ENVE or Princeton CarbonWorks?
In today's episode, we’ll find out!
Disclosure: UPVINE supplied the wheelsets featured in this video for review, but no money changed hands, and all opinions are my own.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:47 – Who are UPVINE?
01:51 – New Technology - PBO ppokes
03:23 – New Technology - Molded spoke holes
05:17 – Riding impressions
07:12 – Bearing/hub issue
11:40 – A frustrating problem
14:17 – Bonus clip - Rolling resistance
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk
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Email:
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Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
Keywords: UPVINE,UPVINE Pro Plus,UPVINE Pro Plus 63,UPVINE wheels,carbon wheels,carbon wheelset,carbon spoke wheels,carbon spokes,Chinese carbon wheels,Chinese bike parts,road bike wheels,cycling tech,bicycle wheel review,carbon wheel review,deep section wheels,63mm carbon wheels,PBO spokes,Zylon spokes,SafeguardCore,wide carbon rims,tubeless road wheels,rear hub bearings,cycling upgrades,premium carbon wheels,Zipp wheels,Princeton CarbonWorks
Componenti menzionati
UpVine PRO+
Vacation Sale
RuoteUpVine PRO+
Creato: 29 marzo 2026Il recensore ha testato il set di ruote UpVine PRO+, una ruota in carbonio cinese di fascia alta al prezzo di $2.700. È rimasto molto colpito dalla qualità di guida, descrivendole come tra le migliori ruote che abbia mai provato, con eccellente rigidità, stabilità e compliance. Tuttavia, ha scoperto un problema ai cuscinetti del mozzo posteriore sul suo set di prova da 63 mm, dove un precarico eccessivo di fabbrica ha causato usura prematura e resistenza. Un secondo set da 53 mm non ha presentato il problema. Considera il problema ai cuscinetti inaccettabile a questo livello di prezzo, ma valuta comunque le ruote molto positivamente nel complesso.
Riepilogo IA
Pros
- Tra le migliori ruote che il recensore abbia mai provato
- Sensazione diretta e solida, in particolare negli sprint fuori sella
- Sorprendentemente stabile nei venti laterali per un cerchio profondo
più pros nel video
Cons
- I cuscinetti del mozzo posteriore del set di prova da 63 mm avevano un precarico eccessivo di fabbrica, causando resistenza e usura prematura del cuscinetto lato trasmissione dopo solo ~500 km
- Problema ai cuscinetti considerato inaccettabile su un set di ruote da $2.700
- Il peso di 1.383 g è rispettabile ma non il più leggero per il prezzo
più cons nel video
UPVINE® Pro+ Carbon Wheelset | Aero Carbon Spoke, Disc Brake
UpVine PRO+