Elite Drive G45 Carbon Spoke Gravel Wheelset Review

The Drive G45 CS wheels from Elite Wheels are poised to shift perceptions about products from lesser-known Chinese brands. These carbon gravel wheels deliver performance that far surpasses their price point, distinguished by high production quality, a premium finish, and comprehensive in-house manufacturing. Their affordability is truly remarkable.

The bicycle wheel market is highly saturated, presenting a vast array of choices for consumers. For any new brand to carve out a niche, it must offer something truly distinctive—a feat that becomes increasingly challenging in today’s competitive landscape.

Elite Wheels employs its unique “UNI” carbon fiber blend, which combines T800 and T1000 carbon fibers with their proprietary resin. This specialized composite construction is engineered to minimize weight while maximizing rigidity.

Innovating Wheel Technology

Developing superior wheels involves continuous refinement of materials, design, manufacturing processes, technology, and pricing strategies. While the core grades of carbon fiber are widely accessible post-carbon revolution, innovation now centers on unique resin formulations to enhance strength and reduce mass. Wheel forms and dimensions are largely standardized, with 700c being the norm for road and gravel, and wider internal rim widths now standardizing for improved tire performance and handling. Aerodynamic rim profiles are commonplace across popular depths like 35mm, 45mm, and 60mm.

Resins are a key area where brands develop proprietary blends, leading to breakthroughs in weight reduction and structural integrity. Although the specific differences between these resins are often trade secrets, the general outcome is lighter yet stronger wheels. A testament to these advancements is the significant decrease in reports of catastrophic carbon wheel failures compared to previous years.

Spoke counts have also evolved. While a minimum number of spokes is vital for wheel stability and resistance to cycling stresses, progress in material strength and design has facilitated a reduction in spoke numbers. This leads to weight savings without compromising strength or rigidity; modern wheels typically feature around 20-21 front spokes and 20-24 rear spokes.

So, how has ELITE Wheels integrated these elements to create a wheelset that stands out?

Design and Heritage

ELITE Wheels, a Chinese manufacturer, boasts over a decade of experience in producing carbon wheels and components for numerous leading brands. Leveraging this deep expertise, they launched their own brand, initially gaining strong traction in Asia and Australia, and are now expanding into the North American market. Their extensive product line includes performance-focused wheels for road, gravel, mountain biking, and triathlon.

The DRIVE G45 CS wheels are tailored for gravel riding, featuring a U-shaped, mid-depth rim with a generous internal width. The “CS” in their name signifies carbon fiber spokes, and the 45mm rim depth (also reflected in the name) is a popular choice for gravel, striking an optimal balance between strength and weight.

The 45mm depth and glossy finish lend the wheels a sophisticated, deep, and attractive aesthetic. This depth has become a benchmark for gravel applications due to its proven efficacy.

The finishing quality is exemplary, with a flawless high-gloss surface. A thorough pre-tire inspection confirmed impeccable tubeless tape application, free of any gaps or imperfections. The internal rim width measures 24mm, accommodating tires like the 40mm Pirelli comfortably, with ample space for wider options.

These wheels are remarkably lightweight for a gravel-specific design. The front wheel weighs 640 grams, and the rear wheel tips the scales at 751 grams.

The spokes are crafted from high-tensile carbon fiber, which is both lighter and stronger than aluminum. Elite asserts that these carbon spokes enhance wheel stiffness by 7% compared to wheels built with steel spokes. Both the front and rear wheels are constructed with 20 spokes.

Elite’s hubs are equipped with ceramic bearings, celebrated for their low friction and enhanced durability. The rear hub employs a robust 4-pawl engagement system, ensuring efficient power transfer.

Unbeatable Value: High-Performance Carbon Wheels at $1269 USD

The price range for carbon road wheels is vast, from $500 to over $4000. While a higher price often correlates with superior quality, most riders find it difficult to discern subtle performance differences. This is largely due to a lack of access to factory insights, the absence of resources for extensive, controlled testing, and the inherent human bias in perception.

Consequently, when fundamental aspects like design, materials, and manufacturing quality are comparable across brands, a significant portion of a product’s cost often subsidizes marketing, branding, and perceived prestige. Large Western brands invest heavily in advertising, and these costs are factored into the retail price, creating an impression of premium quality, even though many of these wheels are produced in the same factories as lesser-known Asian brands.

This context highlights the value offered by Elite Wheels. While they may not possess the widespread brand recognition of industry giants due to a less aggressive marketing approach, their wheels deliver impressive technology, quality, and performance. Priced at just $1269 USD, the Drive G45 CS wheelset offers exceptional value, competing effectively against much more expensive alternatives without the premium branding markup.

First Impressions

Based on extensive experience unboxing numerous wheelsets, the author commends Elite’s secure packaging for international transit. Two wheels are housed in a single box, individually protected by foam liners to prevent movement and minimize packing waste. Upon unboxing, the wheels present beautifully, showcasing an excellent finish quality and a striking high-gloss surface, indicative of meticulous quality control. The package also includes additional spokes and warranty documentation.

Key Features and Detailed Specifications

The responsive and dedicated communication from Elite’s product managers and engineers suggests a company that takes immense pride in its work. Elite independently designs and manufactures most components for its wheels, though some sets do incorporate premium aftermarket parts, such as DT Swiss spokes.

The carbon spoke design offers substantial benefits. Their high tensile strength allows for fewer spokes (20 per wheel compared to 21 in many other designs) while simultaneously enhancing stiffness and reducing overall weight. The 45mm rim depth further contributes to increased stiffness through shorter spoke lengths.

The surge in gravel riding has also influenced road wheel design, particularly favoring wider rim widths. Beyond the inherent structural advantages of a wider rim, this design improves how wider tires seat into the rim bed, fostering a more natural tire profile. This enhancement leads to superior road grip, increased traction, improved overall handling, and reduced susceptibility to flats and other stress-related damage.

On-Ride Experience

Modern bicycle wheels generally perform to a very high standard, setting elevated rider expectations. The author found the Elite Drive G45 CS wheelset to be stiff, highly responsive, and surprisingly fast for gravel riding. These wheels replaced a set of CADEX AR36 wheels (which cost three times as much) on a test bike, with the most notable difference being Elite’s commendably quieter freehub sound. The aerodynamic rim profile and low-friction ceramic bearings even contributed to a victory in an impromptu “coasting drag race.”

Performance Highlights:

Summary

The EliteWheels Drive G45 CS gravel wheelset offers an impressive fusion of lightweight design, stiffness, and responsiveness that is difficult to surpass at this price point. With carbon spokes, ceramic bearings, and a combined weight of 1,300g, these wheels are not only race-ready but also durable enough to tackle a wide range of gravel adventures.

At $1269 USD, they effortlessly hold their own against more expensive competitors, delivering substantial value for riders seeking professional-grade technology without the premium brand markup. For anyone considering an upgrade to a fast, efficient, and well-built gravel wheelset equipped with top-tier features, the Drive G45 CS comes highly recommended.

Detailed Specifications