The Elitewheels Drive G42 arrive with a clear brief: offer a modern carbon gravel wheelset that is wide, deep, light, and sportier than average. A pair that is not just about accommodating generous tyres, but also about giving the bike more pace.
I fitted them to a Specialized Diverge, replacing the stock Roval Terra CL III. That context matters, because the Diverge is already a fairly comfortable, forgiving bike. The G42 do not turn it into a radical race machine, but they do noticeably change its character.
Strengths:
- Very good response when accelerating
- 28 mm internal width suited to modern gravel tyres
- Precision in corners
- Competitive weight for a 42 mm wheelset
Could be better
- Compliance
A carbon gravel wheelset designed around wide tyres
The Drive G42 is built around a 42 mm deep carbon rim with a 28 mm internal width and a 36 mm external width. For a gravel wheelset, that is wide and modern. Very wide, in fact, compared with many wheels still built around 23 to 25 mm internal widths.
Elitewheels states compatibility with tyres from 40 mm to 60 mm, with a recommended 700 x 40C. The rim is hooked, compatible with tubes and tubeless, with rim tape and tubeless valves already installed on delivery.
This 28 mm internal truly changes how the tyre sits. With tyres labelled 45 mm, I measured 47 mm once mounted on the G42. That is not trivial: the tyre gains volume, holds its shape better laterally, and the bike feels more planted.
It is also a width that warrants a bit of attention. Before fitting this kind of wheelset, you need to check the actual clearance at the frame and fork, especially if you are already running generous tyres. On a Diverge it clears, but not every bike will give the same margin.
42 mm depth: more speed without tipping into excess
The 42 mm depth is noticeable. Not like a very deep road rim that imposes its inertia and can grab in crosswinds, but like a wheel that offers a bit more composure at sustained speeds. On rolling sections, the G42 hold speed well and give the bike a sportier feel.
Compared to the Roval Terra CL III that come stock on the Diverge, the difference is clear. The Rovals feel a bit easier when the terrain deteriorates, but they roll less freely. The G42 add more tension and response to the bike.
It is not a question of better or worse. It is really a question of character. With the G42, the bike edges towards performance gravel – livelier, more precise, faster on the rolling sections. The Rovals remain more forgiving, especially when the track gets genuinely rough.
A restrained, well-executed finish
Visually, the G42 go for a semi-matt carbon finish, with three fairly discreet silver logos and a larger marking around the valve. The result is neat. Not showy, but not totally invisible either.
I like this kind of finish because it lets the bike breathe. You recognise the wheel, but it does not dominate the whole. On a gravel bike already visually busy with the tyres, the discs, possible bags or frame details, this restraint works well.
On the Diverge: a tauter, faster feel
The first really noticeable effect is the pick-up. When you put the power back down after freewheeling, the wheel reacts quickly. The bike gets back up to speed without softness, with a very direct sensation of drive.
It is not necessarily something you notice on a long straight once you are already rolling. There, it is more the rim depth and the low weight that contribute to the feeling of speed. The hub, for its part, shows itself mainly in short bursts: tight corners, small rises, changes of rhythm, technical sections where you stop and then resume pedalling.
Precise in corners, but not fully compliant
In corners, the G42 are precise. The 28 mm internal width helps support the tyre better, especially with an actual section rising to around 47 mm. The tyre deforms less laterally, and the bike lines up more cleanly.
That support inspires confidence when the surface is clean or slightly loose. The wheel does not wander. It traces a clear line, with that sense of stiffness that makes the bike feel more decisive.
But when the ground turns rough, the Roval Terra CL III keep the comfort advantage. They filter more, forgive more, and make technical descents a bit less demanding. The G42 do not become uncomfortable to the point of immediate fatigue, but they transmit more information. You have to appreciate that slightly more direct contact with the terrain.
The 60T hub: the detail you really feel
Elitewheels highlights a one-piece titanium freehub body, with a 60T ratchet system. Titanium mainly brings durability: it resists cassette bite better and limits long-term wear.
The one-piece construction also reduces the number of mechanical interfaces. Fewer parts, fewer risks of play or loosening.
What you notice is the 6° engagement. At each resumption of pedalling, the freehub hooks up quickly. For dynamic gravel riding with frequent accelerations, that is a real plus. Not spectacular, not magical, but very tangible.
Freehub noise: present but not howling
The freehub sound is rather well judged. At low speed it is present but relatively discreet, which is appreciated in technical sections where you often alternate between pedalling and coasting. As you accelerate, it becomes louder, without ever tipping into anything truly excessive. It is a good balance: sufficiently audible to make yourself noticed if needed by pedestrians, without becoming tiring.
Personally, I like this progressive character. You can also back-pedal slightly to make it more audible if necessary. In the end, it is just right.
1380 g: light, especially for this width
Elitewheels states 1380 ± 30 g for the pair, without tubeless valves or rim tape. For 42 mm gravel wheels with a 28 mm internal width, Center Lock braking, tubeless compatibility and a quick-engaging hub, that is clearly on the right side of average.
These are not ultralight wheels. The appeal lies in the balance between weight, width, stiffness and liveliness. A very light but too narrow gravel wheel would not serve the same purpose. Here, the G42 aim to combine speed with generous tyres.
The comparison with the Elitewheels Drive G36 is interesting: the G36 lean more towards versatility, with a shallower rim and a 25 mm internal width. The G42 take on a more modern, performance-oriented stance.
Steel spokes, controlled tension: stiffness without caricature
The front wheel uses 2:1 lacing, 3X/radial, with 21 spokes. At the rear there are 24 spokes, in 1X/3X with a 1:2 ratio. The spokes are Alpina Ultralite Aero and the nipples are Sapim Secure Lock.
Elitewheels states a controlled tension difference of ≤ 7 kgf between the two sides of the hub. It is a technical point, but it says something about the design intent: the brand is aiming for a stable, reliable wheel with better-distributed tension.
In use, I did not get that feeling of a completely locked-down wheel that some very high-performance carbon wheels can give. The G42 remain stiff and precise, but the steel spokes add a touch of roundness compared with more extreme carbon-spoked builds.
Compatibility: modern gravel, no needless exotica
The G42 are designed for thru-axles 12 x 100 mm front and 12 x 142 mm rear, with Center Lock disc braking. For the drivetrain, Elitewheels offers Shimano HG, SRAM XDR and Shimano MS freehub bodies.
The stated rider weight limit is 120 kg and the wheelset is UCI approved. The latter will not change much for many riders, but it does indicate the level of structural validation required of the product.
The listed price on the Elitewheels website is around €1,100. In the world of performance carbon gravel wheels, that spec-to-price ratio remains aggressive: wide rim, contained weight, quick hub, titanium freehub body, clean finish. To put this kind of choice into a broader purchasing context, our guide to carbon wheels for gravel remains a good starting point.
A genuine performance option, with a clear trade-off
The Elitewheels Drive G42 do not try to be the softest gravel wheels on the market. Their appeal lies elsewhere: snap, good speed holding, a modern width and precise handling.
I liked the way they gave the Diverge a sportier character without tipping into caricatured stiffness. The wheelset remains usable, notably thanks to the steel spokes and the tyre volume enabled by the internal width.
The trade-off is clear: more dynamism, less compliance than the stock Rovals. For a fast gravel bike, a performance-oriented build or a bike you want to make more reactive, the G42 make a lot of sense. For long rides on rough terrain where you are chasing maximum forgiveness, I would keep a more permissive wheel.
