Premium Chinese wheels, 2 YEARS later… Elitewheels Drive 50D

Рет қаралды 61,304

Күн бұрын

I’ve been using these Drive 50D wheels as my daily drivers for just over 2 years. Elitewheels make some great budget options for road bikes, but how do their more premium wheels stack up?
Affiliate links below:
SIROKO CLOTHING - 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
Drive 50D - 15% off all wheelsets with ‘TRACE15’
www.elite-wheels.com/product/...
I’ve been a fan of Elitewheels ever since I bought an incredibly cheap set of their ENT-Disc carbon wheels from AliExpress back in 2020. So when they sent over their more premium Drive 50D wheels 2 years ago, I couldn’t wait to try them!
I got them fitted to my carbon raod bike, but just 100km in, I found an issue with the front hub. They quickly sent over a replacement, and since then, I have been using them at least a couple of times each week for just over 2 years.
So it’s been an incredibly long term test, and frankly I love these wheels. They are incredibly stiff, thanks to the 50mm deep section carbon rim and some excellent bladed carbon spokes, they look absolutely fantastic, and they‘re lovely to ride.
So in this episode, I’ll give you the lowdown, take the wheels apart to show you some of the wear and tear on the freehub, axles, and bearings, and ultimately help you decide if these wheels are worth your consideration.
Also I’ll quickly cover their new partnership with @GCN, and discuss a patent dispute they are currently facing with a company called Qvist.
Ebay shim washers (35mm ID / 0.25):
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224326415431
Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
00:40 - Intro
01:26 - Quick overview
01:50 - Front hub issue
03:17 - Sponsor spot
04:37 - Rim: 2 years later
05:12 - Spokes: 2 years later
05:50 - Wheel balance: 2 years later
06:52 - Hubs and bearings: 2 years later
08:15 - Weather proofing & axles
09:10 - 12 speed freehub issue
10:09 - Why do I like them so much?
12:24 - GCN partnership and patent dispute
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
/ tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
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!!!

Пікірлер: 202

@galenkehler Ай бұрын

That 50/50 😂😂😂 Truly one mustache to rule them all❤

@hockysa Ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂 omg the transition to gravel and road cyclist 🤣🤣🤣 dying

@AG-el6vt Ай бұрын

The halfstache deserves its own like.

@VSUKWizard Ай бұрын

🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖

@HoshinoMirai Ай бұрын

I am so distracted by the asymmetric mustache

@KamikazeCommie501 Ай бұрын

I'm glad I missed the poll because I might've swayed it and this result is better than I could've ever imagined.

@Flyn898 Ай бұрын

Would be cool to see a long review of the cheaper wheelset they make, see how they stack up for $600.

@CUPAVI1 Ай бұрын

I've put 20.000 km on my D50s and they're great - did grand fondos on them, 7.000 km bike packing trip in SE Asia etc. Great wheels, great value for money

@qwertyazerty2137 Ай бұрын

Massive kudos and a 🥖 for shooting the entire show with this halfstache. It's absolutely hilarious 😄

@leonmarshall4383 Ай бұрын

The semi mustache 😂😂😂 Ok now that's funny right there. Keep up the good work.

@Fatbutnotflat Ай бұрын

Even without sound i can perfectly hear Luke's voice , in my head. Even until the bonus bit. Keep up the good work! The stache is gold.

@suhdud4646 Ай бұрын

I’ve got a set of the Helix 68Ds and they’re fantastic. One thing overlooked regarding patent, Qvist stated they have never outsourced their manufacturing meaning that the Drive Helix hub is a unique design to Elite. It may resemble similarly designed elements but so does every single bicycle in the world having two wheels. You don’t see brands during brands because their wheels do the same as the next brand.

@hengliang4344 29 күн бұрын

Hey guys here are some info from China for you all. The entry-level carbon wheels we use in China start at 1600 RMB (203 euros). The biggest city in carbon wheels industry is XiaMen(厦门), many reputable brands' carbon wheels were OEM in XiaMen. Those wheels are great for training and commuting, but you may face some quality-control issues that need to be returned and repaired by the seller.

@ThomasPrenner Ай бұрын

Great content, as always 🥖! I've been using the 50D for around 1.5 years now with 10.600 km on it and without a single issue. They also sold me a version without any decals, which I really appreciate...

@lpoolck17 Ай бұрын

2:48 well played for diagnosing that issue! 👏

@LawrenceSeetoh Ай бұрын

Thank you Luke, that was very informative and also for the 50/50 stache commitment. 🥖🥖🥖

@doncrescas Ай бұрын

Nice touch with the split color shirt to match the half stache. Bravo.

@weeedstarrr Ай бұрын

The patent stuff sounds indeed really intresting. Thanks for bringing this up!

@bernierei657 Ай бұрын

Hey Luke! Thanks for making my day with that 50/50 mustache :D

@stevew007uk Ай бұрын

Another great video Luke, keep it up!

@not-a-raccoon Ай бұрын

Clicked like before the ad finished.

@joshuabuilds3051 Ай бұрын

I replaced the bearings in a different freehub no problem. Press the inner sleeve out of the way to expose the inner race of the bearings for hammering out

@TaichoCyclist Ай бұрын

I got a customed DRIVE45D from EliteWheels for 1260 grams. They are also my all-purpose road wheels for my rides. They are really great on flats and light for climbs on club rides and races. They are beautifully made and made my TIME Alpe d'Huez look really great with the glossy marbled finish. I do highly recommend the DRIVE wheelset if you want the balance of budget and performance without burning a huge pothole in the pocket.

@stuartdryer1352 Ай бұрын

I like mine. But I had some issues with bearings on the rear wheel very early on. They replaced them for free, no problems since.

@kpizzle1985 Ай бұрын

That's so much better than the response I got from Scribe when both wheels fell apart after 10 months. They offered me 40% off a new set, after 2 months of quoting the sales of goods act I finally got a refund!

@p44doyle44 Ай бұрын

If you replace the hub bearings do a video on it

@Onigure Ай бұрын

I need that skill so I can buy my own skf or ntn bearings and put them on myself.

@robbeelsas Ай бұрын

I have the service manual for these hubs but I can't post a link here or my comment is removed. EDIT: seems to work

@robbeelsas Ай бұрын

drive.google.com/file/d/1S3BxXdp10iJFO1SiX_6AkhdUxh7qgI2w/view?usp=drivesdk

@fredzajdel122 Ай бұрын

I purchased 2 sets of these wheeels 2 years ago and I love them and would recommend them!

@XJ1345 Ай бұрын

I got a pair of G45 since 2.5k Kilometers. Weirdly I got one bearing to break but since switching them out (Elite payed for the repair as it was within guarantee) everything works fine. love the wheelset

@georgepepper5993 Ай бұрын

Luke, I purchased the same wheels about two months after You. I had a tubeless tire blow off the rim while I was riding it. There are serval possible causes of the failure on my side and Elite side of the failure. I noticed that the rim tape that Elite uses is two wide for the rim bed and went up the inner wall of the rim close to the rim hook. Their rim tape is also not traditional rim tape and looks like electronic masking tape that does not stretch. Elite customer service was bad, they just wanted to sell me a new front wheel. Great video thanks for the review.

@arthurstreet2811 Ай бұрын

the commitment to the gag to continue with half the stache is awesome.

@Eureeka13 Ай бұрын

Thanks for the review. Recently bought a pair with the help of your previous review. Amazing so far! It would be great to see how/how well these can be re-trued. Curious about this given the non-conventional carbon spoke setup.

@mauricetremblay1324 Ай бұрын

lol. Love the dial look.

@boyacki Ай бұрын

Oh the funnies are on point, favourite video so far, material and semi tash 😅 thank you for bringing joyful and informative material, struggling with life ATM but you make my day every day I view your work, thank you Luke! 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖 Tres bien, 👌👌👌

@kabadisha Ай бұрын

Life can be tough, but you got this! Stay strong and have the highest of high-fives from a stranger on the intertubes 😊

@boyacki Ай бұрын

@@kabadisha thank you for the gesture as this embodies community spirit. Aside from the joyful bike content here, I found solace in the teachings and findings from Ryan Holiday and Andrew Huberman. This here balances me out but thank you for the long distance virtual uplift! Have a great day !

@montrose252 Ай бұрын

I LOVE my Elite Drive 50V wheels! (I bought the extra rigid model. If I had to do it over again, I would get the lightweight version). It's like a Zipp, Corima or Campagnolo for 1/4 the price!

@wimpie031 Ай бұрын

I like the choice of shirt, complements the tache on/off 😊😊

@ericbarbosatravels1391 Ай бұрын

The shim washers are a godsend for let’s say Shimano CG-800 (11-34) on 11sp freehubs. My bike mechanic showed me that trick. Always handy to have those around

@EstelonAgarwaen Ай бұрын

Have to say, while they are heavier, i like my campy shamal carbon wheels. The bearings are cup and cone style, but with a crankset style preload ring. Look great too.

@themanabroad7800 Ай бұрын

You’re so freaking bike tech/mech savvy, I envy your knowledge

@tommarty879 Ай бұрын

HI Luke, love your content. Idea for an episode... I would like to see the weight saving of a fully set up tubeless wheels vs lightweight tubes. My thought is it is not much with the goop and stem. Congrats on the baby girl.

@robbeelsas Ай бұрын

If you do the math, tubeless is actually heavier than using TPU inner tubes

@n22pdf Ай бұрын

Brilliant love the moustache or halftash 😂 great humour dude.. shame you can’t get the polished hubs anymore.. Pete 🚴🏻👍

@mendistan Ай бұрын

What handlebars are you using Luke? So clean with the computer!

@wilsonwong6585 Ай бұрын

Would love for you do to a video on the differences between Elite's USA wheels vs the ones they sell on Ali-Express. ie, Elite Drive vs Elite Edge.

@boshiken4914 Ай бұрын

That’s a solid look

@traceassets Ай бұрын

Haha, top effort with half & half ! I'd say the "no tashies" won in the end 😂

@dcv9460 Ай бұрын

LOVE the TWO-FACE! 😂😂😂 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖

@aldrinclementina4297 Ай бұрын

🤣 The switch.How is that Trifox doing Luke?

@sethwilson1355 Ай бұрын

I got a set of 60mm elite wheel for like $450 and absolutely love them so far, would be cool to see you review the even more cheaper Chinese carbon wheels

@josephpaulodiaz5499 Ай бұрын

hope you can review avian gravel wheelset

@BartSchrijvers Ай бұрын

The spokes are stiff but the actual rim itself feels softer, in a good way. The wheels feel very responsive and the power transfer is direct, yet the wheel is also compliant thanks to the softer rim. It’s the other way around with my Enve’s. That rim is incredibly stiff, and the steel spokes create some slack you kinda want but also affects their responsiveness in a bad way.

@lamba105 Ай бұрын

🥖(That's half a baguette). Love the commitment to the poll results lol

@lfd720 Ай бұрын

hey Luke, nice halfstache :D give us an update on your chinaplay pedals pls

@nikolegos Ай бұрын

Hey Luke been a fan of the channel for a while now, and I have a request if I may, would you be able to check out the BXT Pro 145 bike frame, cause it looks like a hell of a deal for the price!

@Natuh21 Ай бұрын

Best decision, 50/50 lol! I see u use a lot of kinda disc rotors, can u make a video about them? 🥖🥖

@maxritter7868 Ай бұрын

Aw I was hoping the halfstache would become a new channel trademark

@aidanmasterson50 Ай бұрын

Love mine! But I believe they are no longer giving the option for silver hub. Only black.

@ellipticalsoul Ай бұрын

The patent dispute will probably boil down to whoever can afford to pay lawyers to drag the dispute on long enough to make the other side give in/settle

@miivii Ай бұрын

Two in one! 👍

@jakobtheclock Ай бұрын

I had much more problems with the bearings. They worn out pretty fast and there was play. With new other bearings it's better now.

@alessiolavina5220 Ай бұрын

Could you please make a video on the difference between every type of élite road wheels? It would be apretiate, I would like to buy a set of wheels but I don’t know which choose. Thanks a lot 🥖🥖🥖

@KayDat Ай бұрын

You should have pre-filmed some segments with full 'stache, some with half 'stache and some with clean shave, and just cut between them throughout the video just to keep us on our toes!

@jesseschenendorf2896 Ай бұрын

How do you feel about those Schwalbe tires? Wet grip okay? Bicycle rolling resistance rates their wet grip as pretty poor…

@marcuzzo211 Ай бұрын

hey @trace Velo how many miles do you drive yearly ?

@ADVRaiderKTM Ай бұрын

What happened to the Wheeltop EDX groupset?

@matt_acton-varian Ай бұрын

I see you decided to sport the Nick J Townsend / Weak13 look 😂😂😂 (local musician, actor, journalist - one side of his face and head is clean shaven the other full long hair and beard). On another note, I have just serviced my SLT freehub with the same bearings - bearings are smooth after 4000 km and just needrf some oil on the freehub pawls.

@archery570 9 күн бұрын

The Elite are very nice looking. I am debating between the Elite Drive 45(Gravel) and a similar 9Velos wheel. If you had to pick one for quality and durability would it be 9velos? Seem like Elite has extended their warranty to 3 years.

@GAMeRAchilles Ай бұрын

You mad man! 50/50 😂

@iansingleton 13 күн бұрын

🥖Hi Luke, first off, I hope that's a baguette Imogene! It's the only one I could find. Secondly, thanks for your content. Question! I've been looking at the Elite wheels, they seem to be quite serious about getting up to European standards, I think the sponsorship with GCN will have done them no harm! Obviously the wheels in your film are still not "cheap", do you have any info on the more budget friendly Elite wheels? I recently contacted them because I wasn't sure that Elite wheels on Ali Express were the same Elite wheels as seen on your channel and GCN. They wrote back really quick saying yes they're the same wheels but they seemed to imply that the Ali Express wheels weren't exactly their latest releases! After seeing your film I'm not sure I want a set of wheels like the first ones you received! Thanks for any help! Regards. Ian. Ps. Keep up the great work 👍

@davidbowles4196 Ай бұрын

these wheels go round come onn

@tn9274 Ай бұрын

i want to buy to replace superteam but the duty will probably too much in my country and aliexpress also not ship to here anymore.

@debasishnayak8610 Ай бұрын

🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖Hi, a question on separate note do you recommend Costelo pedals, as I do see that you have been using them? 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖

@ttrc1736 Ай бұрын

I love your mustache.

@Silidons91 Ай бұрын

What confuses me is how crazy popular these became, while a company like FarSports, where you can get a more custom wheelset, with dt swiss 240 exp hubs for less than $1k, completely surpassed them with just straight up advertising (mostly though social media and here on youtube)

@robbeelsas Ай бұрын

These were, for the longest time, the lightest Chinese wheelset on the market

@jw3638 Ай бұрын

I was hoping the poll would result in the 50/50 stache

@bill6040 Ай бұрын

I would have added the bread emoji but it doesn’t seem to be available to me. Newbie question, at 3:55 you said they dropped the straps on the bib shorts, isn’t the definition of “bibs” = with straps?

@johnnyboy4711 Ай бұрын

how would rate the cheaper circa 300 gbp original elite wheels you got 1st time round?

@martinarchila440 Ай бұрын

How would you compare these elite with Light-fast wheels?

@bobareturned Ай бұрын

Any updates on the wheeltop eds tx group set? Any possible discount links?

@afonic Ай бұрын

I am so waiting for this !!

@thomasullmann7447 Ай бұрын

"These wheels are cracking" :D

@lorenzogiusto3222 Ай бұрын

I am so happy with my Elite drive G45 steel spokes. My previous bike was a rim brake and had the drive 50v. The G45 are lightweight, 24mm internal width and setup tubeless with 28mm tires they are an absolute pleasure to ride.

@stuartbird5139 Ай бұрын

how are they for getting tyres on? I have some winspace luns and getting tyres on is a real struggle

@AFV85 Ай бұрын

Are they not ment to have a spoke nipple surround to protect the carbon edges?

@cemsonmez6322 Ай бұрын

Why your hub is metal color, but the one on the website is now black? Change of hub?

@3lfaromeo Ай бұрын

🥖Really pulled through with this one 'ol Lukey boy

@Phantom0309 Ай бұрын

8:04 has the hub seen more than 200w? 😂

@humphuk Ай бұрын

I might have a dig into the patent stuff (your summary sounded correct). As you say it doesn't look as if the patent has been granted - though filed in Germany, Europe, China and the US. If granted, it would impact both the manufacture and sales in the granted country. I have had a brief look at the prosecution - and the patent searches have unearthed some significant prior art. So - as always in patents - its complicated. I will have a read later. I haven't found the patent that elite wheels are licencing - but it isn't strictly relevant.

@Essenzcycling Ай бұрын

Apparently, links don't work here. But go to Google Patents, the patent number should be CN218477375U for the Chinese patent.

@mattherbert9027 Ай бұрын

Hi, I wonder if you could help? My ffwd rim brake rear wheel with dt swiss xdr hub, clincher with alloy braking surface has cracked on the carbon by the spoke, a large crack so can't use. I upgraded to a 54 tooth ratchet, too, so my question is do you know of decent carbon wheelset or wheel that would accommodate these features as trying to find a ffwd like for like is really tricky. TIA

@renesakata1737 Ай бұрын

I love my Elite wheel sets. The only gripe I have is with ALL my Elite MTB wheels, they take an unusual high pressure until the tires plop, no matter if I use tubeless or tubes. I even have to grease them (with soap water) to get them to plop around 4.5 Bar (65psi). My Bike Ahead and Syncros wheels need less than 3bar to plop. Very puzzling.

@Killroy76 Ай бұрын

My Elite wheels were out of balance. I had to add 4.5 grams of magnetic golf stickers to the inside of my rim. Now I am happy 🥖

@wh4t3VAH Ай бұрын

I have a set from a different brand and when I spin them on the bike stand, the whole bike "vibrates/moves around". I guess that's the indication of a non balanced wheel. How did you find out where to place the weight?

@Killroy76 Ай бұрын

Hambini and GPLama made a YT Movie on this but the best to me was done by OZ Cycle. Just search for it with „Balance your wheels“. It made a difference to of day/Night in handling my bike

@Killroy76 Ай бұрын

@@wh4t3VAH Oz Cycle made a movie on balancing your wheels. That was the best explenation to me

@tonyjmcd Ай бұрын

🥖〰️🥖 loving the half tache and thr dedication to the joke🥖〰️🥖

@davidclayton1803 Ай бұрын

My moustache was inspired by yours. I can't follow you into 50/50 though.

@danford9646 13 күн бұрын

Oh, there is a long term wheel review here too...

@ggoben Ай бұрын

Crazy timing of this video. I've been struggling with the front wheel of my 50D drive set. Bearings started to feel crunchy. I contacted Elite and they sent me new ones. However, I've taken it to 2 different bike shops and even when installing new bearings they start to feel crunchy as soon as they are pressed in. Even if you press them in a bit by hand crunchyness happens immediately. Could the hubs warp or get out of round after time? Luke, I guarantee once you start replacing bearings you'll find out it's very finicky and difficult to get it smooth like a new wheelset. Crunchyness cannot be fixed in my experience. Please let me know if you encounter something similar. Not what I expected from a "high end" China manufacturer. I'm going to plead my case to Elite for a new wheel. I doubt it happens though.

@robbeelsas Ай бұрын

I've had the exact same problem and subsequently measured the hole diameters to be out of spec. Elitewheels denied everything and just replaced the bearings in their service center

@Bruh-lm4zr 22 күн бұрын

which of these wheels is good for rim brake?

@hucklejoko4838 Ай бұрын

Luke I hate that moustache so much please!

@DaanHoogland Ай бұрын

Fuck, there are no :Half baguette: emoticons... 🥖/2

@DigitalDimi 20 күн бұрын

Noooooo! I subscribed only because of the weird moustache. What I'm supposed to do now 😮😂

@1945CCCP 26 күн бұрын

The wheels looks solid, but I have a pulsing breaking effect with SwissStop pads. Pulsing was negligible with the original pads, but breaking power was low. Any advises?

@TraceVelo 26 күн бұрын

With disc brakes, I would take the pads out, resurface them with some high grit sandpaper, and then bed them in again. If you are talking rim brakes, also sand down the pads slightly to remove any contamination, but you may also need to clean the carbon brake surface on the wheels. For this I use acetone, but be careful, it can easily strip any paint/clearcut from the rim surface.

@1945CCCP 26 күн бұрын

@@TraceVelo thank you for a great and fast reply! I will try sandpaper on pads, but first going to check if i have pulsing with the old pads. Some people claim that pads can damage carbon rim surface making its roughness non-uniform ... About acetone on rims... Im scare. How about little sand-papering??

@TraceVelo 26 күн бұрын

I would avoid sanding the carbon rim. Acetone won't damage the carbon, and will remove contamination and any old brake compound. You can also try isopropyl alcohol.

@1945CCCP 26 күн бұрын

@@TraceVelo on the road now... ;). With shimano R55C4 (instead of swissStop) the break pulsing has gone , so far, so maybe it was not a problem related to rims.

@dedynester9142 Ай бұрын

the mustache 😂😂

@BrandonNevermind Ай бұрын

The madman did it 🤣

@arose62 Ай бұрын

Practicing pogonotrophy and pogonotomy simultaneously!

@rickymarumade Ай бұрын

No amount of like deserve that 50/50 mustache

@wufler28 Ай бұрын

Some Chinese companies don't believe in patents. Wheeltop newest wireless groupset has 4 patents they don't care about. This is also the reason why lots of people think bad about Chinese brands. 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖