The PHi Road Wheel Core D50 is a carbon, disc-brake road wheelset designed to balance aero profiling, low weight and a sharp, responsive ride. Its 50 mm rim depth targets fast road use, with tubeless-ready compatibility and a setup suited to modern tyres.

Key features

• 50 mm-deep carbon rims
• 23 mm internal width and 30 mm external width
• Hooked rim, tubeless ready
• VONOA ST320 carbon spokes
• Spoke count: 20 front, 24 rear
• PHi hubs with a 36-tooth ratchet mechanism
• S&S Stainless bearings
• Center Lock disc mount
• 12×100 mm front and 12×142 mm rear axles
• Shimano HG or SRAM XDR freehub body
• Tyre compatibility 700 x 28 to 45C, recommended 28 to 30C
• Weight: 1277 g ±3% without valves or rim tape
• Tubeless valves and rim tape pre-installed
• UCI certification
• Bike + rider weight limit: 120 kg

Intended use

With its 50 mm profile, the Core D50 is aimed mainly at road riders looking to upgrade a stock bike with a light carbon wheelset that is aero enough and noticeably snappier under acceleration. Its 23 mm internal width suits modern road tyres, especially 28 to 30 mm.

Good to know

The wheelset also stands out for its understated look: Smoked Matte finish, discreet logo, gold hubs and two gold spokes that give it a distinctive visual identity without overdoing it. The pricing is aggressive for a carbon wheelset with carbon spokes, especially with a local distribution model.

Tested by GravelPassion

We rode this wheelset on a Van Rysel RCR-F as a replacement for Zipp 454 NSW wheels. The bike gained responsiveness in accelerations and on short climbs, with decent stability in the wind. The sensation of aero inertia is less pronounced than on a very high-end, more specialised wheelset. It is still too early to judge after-sales support and durability over several seasons.