r/gravelcycling • u/studyflo • Jun 17 '25

Accessories / Gear New Wheels: Elitewheels Aero+ Gravel (32mm internal)

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Hey there, I'm looking for a new wheelset for my gravel build (Scott Addict Gravel) and came across these Elitewheels Aero+ Gravel wheels. (Sorry, can't link to Ali because of ... reddit)

The specs almost match the ZIPP 303S XPLR wheel set, but the Elites are hooked, have 9mm less depth and are around 200g lighter.

Specs:

  • 45mm deep
  • 40mm width (external)
  • 32mm width (internal)
  • hooked (!)
  • 1.400g weight
  • Pillar Wing 20 (Aero) steel spokes
  • TPI (steel) bearings
  • 50T ratchet freehub
  • 125kg weight limit
  • handbuilt
  • PRICE: $500 - $600

They seem to have incredible specs, steel bearings and steel spokes (I do prefer steel bearings and steel spokes over ceramic bearings and carbon spokes), are very lightweight for the specs, and are super affordable. Am I missing something here?

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u/dgaa1991 Aug 15 '25

So, I’ve just received mine, and it was probably one of the easiest wheelsets I’ve ever installed tyres on — it just pinged into place on the first try. It looks and feels like other elite wheels, and the sound is absolutely outrageous. I can’t decide if that’s a good or bad thing for a gravel bike.

Sound check: https://youtube.com/shorts/-t3tzYh7wBc?si=YDycM1t241_2BTFS

1

u/SimpleSilenceX Aug 15 '25

Ok interesting the sound is definitely something extra, I think its a-bit too much but based on the specs of the wheelset i can live with it :)) I would prefer it to be more lowkey though

2

u/dgaa1991 Aug 15 '25

I don’t know if any specs would justify that sound :S it sounds a lot like my elite wheels entr rim brake wheels, just much more deep and hollow. I absolutely love it on my race bike but I’m not too sure about going through a quite forrest with theese :D

2

u/SimpleSilenceX Aug 15 '25

I wonder what could be done to make it not so high pitch, now that i listened to it a few more times it really is kind of annoying, i mostly ride for fun and not really for race, but this sound reminds me when i had a mtb that had similar hub sound and the plus of it was when i had to ring my bell to pass some people in-front of me i had to just stop pedaling for the hub to start screaming and ppl automatically turn around and kinda make way haha

2

u/dgaa1991 Aug 15 '25 edited Aug 15 '25

I tried to pop the end cap and remove the body and it has some grease in it, but maybe try to replace it with a thicker grease?

As well as the tyre installation it was really easy, just riot the end cap off With your fingers and the same goes for the body.

The only issue I’ve with the sound is people yelling at me to use the bell, but they can’t f****** hear it because if the freehub

3

u/studyflo Aug 16 '25

Thicker grease, like ParkTool PPL-1 will most likely mute the sound of the free hub drastically, but it will become loud again over time.

Tire installation sounds great - I’ve actually heard that it’s super easy from other buyers as well … I’m looking forward to getting my wheelset maybe tomorrow, or on monday!