Carbon gravel wheelsets are a crowded space where many references go head to head. Even for a tester, it can get tricky to find your bearings, as the differences in feel can sometimes be minimal depending on the model. Beyond field testing, we also compare price and specs. So when a wheelset brings all three together (feel, price and features), I am excited to share it with you! Introducing and testing the Elite Wheels Drive G45 CS wheels. 👇
Strengths:
- Excellent stiffness
- Light weight of 1,300 g for the pair
- Carbon spokes and ceramic bearings
- Great value for high-end specifications
Could be better
- Comfort could be better on very punishing terrain
Elite Wheels, a brand you can trust?
Since 2013, Elite Wheels has been designing and manufacturing carbon bicycle wheels. The Asian brand owns its own factory and does not outsource production. It controls the product from A to Z. The brand also sponsors 6 UCI Continental teams. These are indeed reassurance elements, but they clearly distinguish an average brand from an established brand with quality products.
Their catalogue is fairly broad, with wheels dedicated to every use (road, MTB, gravel and triathlon). While the brand became known in part for its iconic spoke wheels, today I am presenting a conventional spoked model.
Introducing the Drive G45 CS
I received the G45 CS – CS for Carbon Spoke, meaning carbon spokes. That is one of this model’s flagship features. With a 45 mm rim height, 24 mm internal width and 31 mm external width, these wheels are intended for wide-ranging use from road to gravel. In fact, the rim can accept tyres between 30 and 50 mm.
Compatible with Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo freehub bodies, the Elite Wheels G45 CS are also equipped with ceramic bearings.
These features are usually found on wheelsets at 2,000 or even 2,500 euros. Here, we are far from that price point, since this model is offered at a list price of 1,269 dollars (≃ 1,173 € at the time of writing), before discounts.
No nasty surprises here, since taxes and shipping are included.
At this price, the wheels arrive without a wheelbag, but the packaging is spot on and the product is well protected. In the box, you also get a set of 4 spare carbon spokes. A touch I would have appreciated with my Zipp 303 Firecrest… After a crash, I had to wait 5 months before receiving new spokes. 🥲
Finally, last but not least, the weight. While these wheels can support up to 130 kg (quite rare for carbon wheels), the pair weighs only 1,300 g without valves or rim tape. That is an excellent weight-to-price ratio.
On paper, it is hard to compete with such technical specifications. But as flattering as these points are, they are not everything. On to the test. 👇
Testing the Elite Wheels wheelset
🔔 Test conditions:
I have been riding these wheels since early September. They were tested on 4 bikes (1 road, 1 all-road and 2 gravel) and with two different tyre pairs.
Set-up ★★★★★
I set these wheels up tubeless right away. The rim tape comes pre-installed and seems to be good quality. It is applied extremely well, which is not always the case with wheels I receive for testing, and it also seems thick enough to guarantee a perfect seal. I can confirm that after several hundred kilometres, with very little pressure loss between rides. The valves are high quality too, with a cap that lets you remove the valve core – handy and clever!
Whether road tyres (Continental Grand Prix 5000 in 32 mm) or gravel (Schwalbe G One RS in 40 mm), mounting turned out to be fairly easy. I just needed the Zéfal Tubeless Tank to seat the tyre correctly on the rim.
As for the freehub, you will notice a slightly pronounced sound, as you can hear in the video below. 👇 🔉
On the road ★★★★☆
I split my test into two parts. I started by riding these wheels with 32 mm road tyres, measuring 33.5 mm once mounted on the rim. An ideal width for greenways and rough roads. Being a roadie at heart, I could even race with such a width. Let’s not forget that Tadej Pogačar won the Tour de France with 30 mm tyres (measuring 33 mm on ENVE rims)! With pressure between 4 and 4.5 bar, I found the rim + tyre combo perfect.
Elite Wheels also lets you choose the sticker colour: black or white. They are applied under the clear coat, which gives the whole set a premium finish.
The first word that came to mind after a few kilometres on these wheels was stiffness. They make any frame feel lively thanks to strong lateral stiffness. The carbon spokes surely have a lot to do with it. With an attractive weight for a 45 mm profile, they also help lighten most builds. Here, on this Axxome 3 GTR, the whole bike weighed exactly 7 kg (without accessories).
On the road, they are a pleasure as long as the rider is in reasonably good shape. They are not hard to get up to speed, but their stiffness can become a drawback if you start to fade after a few hours in the saddle.
I am not going to wax lyrical about the benefits of ceramic bearings: I like having them on my wheels and the wow effect is real on the first pedal strokes. But claiming that it changes everything and that my performance improved would be misleading.
[Update] I raced on the road with them!
Those who follow me on Strava may have noticed that I got back into road racing two years ago.
And on Thursday 1 May, I had the chance to take part in a rather unique event: only 75 km on the menu, but 20 km on white roads right in the heart of the Vendée marshes!
For this race I had to adapt the equipment. I went with the Stajvelo Rocchetta, for its nimble handling and low weight.
I equipped it with these Elite Wheels with carbon spokes and ceramic bearings. Shod with Continental GP5000 S TR tyres in 30 mm, inflated to 3.5 bar at the front and 3.8 bar at the rear.
That was the minimum needed to tackle those sectors at an average of over 46 km/h. 🥵
The equipment held up perfectly and I did not suffer a single puncture! Result? We quickly got away as a group of seven and I decided to go solo 12 km from the finish to take the win 🏆.
Proof that a versatile wheelset does exist!
On gravel ★★★★☆
A few days after receiving these wheels, I took part in Gravel Fever. They therefore equipped the Canyon Grail, a frame that is already quite stiff. A freehub and tyre swap and off we go! Of course, I substantially dropped the pressure to 1.8 bar at the front and 2.2 at the rear.
On the programme: a fine route around Châtellerault. A perfect playground between wide tracks and playful yet rideable singletrack. With these Schwalbe G One RS, the loss in rolling efficiency on tarmac is not huge, as these tyres roll very fast. On gravel, it needs to stay dry to avoid a few scares. I also pictured these wheels on a World Championships-style course. In short, as you will have understood, these wheels become fun as soon as you step out of your comfort zone.
While these wheels are very much at home on fast rolling courses, they are less suited to more demanding gravel. First because of their 45 mm profile, but also and above all due to their stiffness. I would rather recommend the Drive G45 SS (with steel spokes), or even the Marvel G35 for technical routes. Elite Wheels understands that gravel has several definitions and therefore offers products suited to different needs. For my riding and my usual playground, this is the perfect set-up for me.
My final take on the Drive G45 wheels
Many media outlets do not dare test Chinese products for fear of being labelled and later losing the trust of European brands. That is a real shame, because in my view, some Asian companies are doing the market a lot of good by pushing quality up and prices down.
This is clearly the case with Elite Wheels which, with this wheelset, proves that high-end does not necessarily mean a prohibitive price. From packaging to feel to set-up, everything is there so that the customer is satisfied with the amount invested in this product. Here, this model is clearly performance-oriented with a loaded spec sheet and exemplary finishing. Comfort is a little behind on punishing terrain and can be improved depending on the tyres fitted.
You get the idea: I recommend this model if you like fast gravel 😈 but they will not be ideal for bikepacking or very demanding crossings.
As for after-sales service, I did not have the chance to test it, but my exchanges with the brand were very cordial and inspire confidence. This can nevertheless be a hurdle as long as the service is on the other side of the world. However, Elite Wheels takes this seriously and offers a 3-year warranty on its wheels. The brand also offers a Crash Replacement programme, which gives you 38% off a new pair in case of breakage.
🔔 Update February 2025:
A few months after the initial publication of this review, one spoke on the front wheel loosened during a ride. I immediately contacted the brand’s support, who sent me around forty nipples, new rim tape, and all the tools needed to carry out the repair.
They also took the time to ask about the circumstances of the incident. I was then able to perform the repairs myself easily using their tutorial. And since then I have not had a single issue with the wheels.
If I did not have any preconceptions about Elite Wheels, I am coming away from this test with renewed confidence in the brand. Delighted to have tested such a product and to share my feedback with you.
And when I like a product, I always try to negotiate a perk for you. Mission accomplished here with the code GP15, which gives you -15% on all Drive wheels.
If you do not want to order directly from the official site, the brand is represented in France by Cykl and Cycles Cazenave.
You can also find some models directly on AliExpress.
