The UCI DON'T Want You To Use These Wheels!

Bored of modern bike tech? Want to change things up? Maybe a wheelset like this could be your perfect match. Alex got his hands on some six-spoke wheels. That's right, only 6 spokes! These wheels may be UCI illegal but does that mean you should stop using them? Watch the video to find out.

00:00 Welcome
00:27 GCN Tech history lesson
01:07 Riding 6 spoke wheels
04:35 Why do wheels like this exist?
05:19 Who should ride wheels like this?
06:16 What does Alex think?

Useful Links:

Would you ride with wheels like these? 🛞

Watch more on GCN Tech...

🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Who's That Girl (Instrumental Version) - ELFL
All Wound Up - Tigerblood Jewel
Come Closer, Don't Speak - Tigerblood Jewel
Doo Wop Ish - Tigerblood Jewel
Strange Delight (Instrumental Version) - Kadant

#gcntech #gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #biketech #aerodynamics #cooltech #bikewheels #carbonwheels

📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency

Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future.

Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology.

We’ve got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show!

Thanks to our sponsors:

Watch our sister channels:

[gcntech]

Would you ride with wheels like these? 🛞

[jikemenkins]

HUGE thumbs up to any company that makes quality UCI ILLEGAL parts for the masses!

[romanluu]

Best part of being an aspiring triathlete is that UCI has no jurisdiction anywhere. And the wheels look exquisite!

[PeakTorque]

Noooice. I have some, wait for the review! Some interesting points Ive already found - good and bad.

[savagepro]

UCI: "You CAN'T Use These Wheels!"
Fun Fact: "Where there's a WHEEL, there's a way!"

[two-eyedRoy]

1st thought... *COMPARISON TIME!*
A) Put them up against bestest TT setup (including position). For against the clock (10mi TT?) and for in less than optimal conditions. How much slower are they? Is it YUUUGE?
Training wheel alternative for the TT enthusiast that might be less succeptible to cross wind for a minor aero loss?

2) Vs the sweet spot aero rims (35-40mm mark). How different are they, Aero, in Crosswinds, Comfortability, Control...?

[onepunchvegan]

they will never out of true. thats nice.

[ivordavies]

I would use these if they ever made a rim brake version. Back in the late 90's I had the Spinergy Rev X's with the stiffeners glued in (made a big difference) on a Softride. I liked the bike at the time and the way it looked!

[KLED]

Need to compare against traditional wheelset, actual time trials and see what’s better. Love the way it looks.

[cdeluise]

This is the future for wheels on & off-road. Multiple companies are making wheels as well. I've only seen positive remarks in reviews!

[MeSimonRichard]

Got about 1500km on these wheels since april. I think they offer insane bling value (looks crazy cool on my all flat black Domane) and the ride quality is better then expected. As i weigh 82kg and have an above avg power output when out of the saddle, these are the only wheels stiff enough not to bend laterally i ever tried. For 1100usd (got 15% off my order from a youtube reviewer) you cannot go wrong with these wheels. Prior to riding those i was using Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51's which i liked and the Elites Velo 6 didn't come off my bike since i got them.

[wfrx]

I'm a sucker for non-standard spoke patterns. From barely different like Corima's normal-spoked wheels that have the spokes in pairs on the rim, or Campagnolo's 3-spoke grouping overCorima MCCs with 12 thick carbon spokes or Lightweight full carbon construction all the way to bike ahead composites or Black Inc with 5-6 carbon spoke wheels like the Elites in this video.

[g.west]

I'ld rather want the numbers crunched on the sailing effect. How much (if any) propels the sailing effect of deep wheels in cross winds? Is the sailing effect dependend on the wind direction?

[MaximilianSterlingTv]

Im really curious what the UCI rule actually reads because if we go by your quote. "Wheels need to have 12 spokes" The wheels do have 12 spokes 6/6 so 12. Is this a loop hole??

[einundsiebenziger]

These wheels compliment the Pinarello frame perfectly, as they are just as ugly. No need to ban them, people with taste just need to make the right purchasing decisions.

[trackar]

I have 2 sets of elite wheels and the quality has been very impressive. Both the cheaper set and the drives. Will be ordering a set of these for the commuter

[AllGrogg]

By stability, I'm fairly certain Alex is referencing the effect of cross winds and for the masses on shared roadways, wake turbulence off of passing motor vehicles.
I ride UCI illegal already and while multiple manufacturers do make solid carbon wheels for minivelos, I would be interested in hearing about the hub options and durability trade offs before going that bling with it.
Also would love to see a full carbon minivelo brought into a wind tunnel and somehow measured in a pace line, 622 wheels vs 451, how much of a difference does those couple of inches make when the following rider can get just a bit closer without overlapping wheels?

[niceracleous]

The reason why people will choose these wheels is the looks, also the speed, which you have not addressed at all in this video.
Are they foster the normal spoke wheels or not ?

[aveedub]

Id have a set in a heart beat! Will get a pair when sufficient sheckels in my bank account!!!👍👍👍👍

[bubblesezblonde]

I've always loved the look. Thanks Felix!!!