Best road bike wheels reviewed and rated: disc and rim wheelsets to supercharge your ride

It goes without saying: the right set of road bike wheels make all the difference in performance, aerodynamics and overall riding experience.

Though, wheels are often an area where bike manufacturers economise to meet a price point. Even some of the best road bikes are sold with wheels that don't maximize the bikes full potential.

Developments in cycling technology such as disc brakes, carbon wheels  and tubeless tires has allowed designers more freedom in their designs and have become increasingly common in today's bikes. 

That said, there's still a place for a quality set of rim brake wheels and road bike wheels designed for clincher tires (requiring inner tubes) are still the go to choice for most cyclists.

As you can tell, there's a lot to think about when buying a new set of road bike wheels. We've made things simple with our pick of the best road bike wheels which we've reviewed here at Cycling Weekly. And yes, we've included both disc and rim wheel sets too!  

If you're looking for new wheels for your gravel bike, we've also got a post with a selection of the best gravel bike wheels that we've ridden.

The Quick List

The best road bike wheels: Disc

Best all-rounder

Zipp's current focus is on producing wheels designed to be run with wide, tubeless tires and at lower pressures. These are hookless rims with a 25mm internal width, so need to be run with rubber over 28mm and below 72psi. 

The hookless set up does mean you are slightly limited on the tires which you can use, be we found the ride quality absolutely excellent, with these being one of the best you can currently buy - so we'd very happily accept that slightly narrower choice of tires for the benefits it brings.  

The lower tire pressure requirement does deliver a softer ride feel - not to be confused with a slower one. The smoother ride delivers an almost blood like connection with your bike, coupled with the broader rim profile, allows for impressively balanced and confidence inspiring on bike capabilities. In fact, on test, we were able to hit 85km/h and they didn't once so much as give a tiny flutter, even in some gusty wind conditions. 

A low rolling weight and a 66 point engagement hub also means these pick up fast and are capable of showing a clean pair of heels in any sprint. 

Popping a set of Tangente Course G40 tires gravel tires on the rim the wheels really came into their own. Capable of taking up to 50mm tires and, over a 400km three day adventure, they only lost around 2psi. 

Read more: Zipp 303 Firecrest Carbon road bike wheelset full review

Best aero

The latest version II of the Roval Rapide CLX wheels has gone tubeless. It's a mixed depth 51mm front, 60mm rear wheelset, with differing rim widths and profiles. They're designed for tyres between 24mm and 38mm width, but aero optimised for 26mm. At 1,520g they're reasonably lightweight. Hub internals come from DT Swiss, with an EXP freehub and SINC ceramic bearings. 

The mixed rim depth is designed to reduce the effect of crosswinds, so we headed off for a windy ride around an island in Oregon, as well as climbing into the mountains, and were impressed with the performance. Equipped with 30mm tyres, they even coped well with gravel.

We've also had a first look at the less pricey Roval Rapide CL II wheels. They lose the ceramic bearings and use slightly less expensive components, but only increase weight by 70g.

Read more: Roval Rapide CLX II road bike wheelset full review

Best value

The Prime Primavera 44 is a great all-rounder tubeless wheelset from Prime’s recently updated range. As the name suggests, these come in at 44mm deep, but there are also 32, 56, and 85mm versions for different balances of aero vs lightness. 

For many, the 44mm version will strike the best balance of weight and aerodynamics. The claimed weight is 1,378g - which is very competitive, especially for the price. Our measured weight, albeit with rim tape and tubeless valves, was substantially more at 1,571g - which is more than we’d expect.

Either way, on all but the steeper climbs (>12%), our tester found that the Prime Primavera 44 wheels performed excellently. Thanks to the 24 spokes front and rear, along with the 32t ratchet freehub, the wheels were highly responsive - engaging and accelerating quickly without much in the way of delay or flex. 

If you want a wheel that can pretty much do it all, is easy to live with, and promises to be long lasting, these really are a superb option with different depths to suit the sort of riding you want to do.

Read more: Prime Primavera 44 road bike wheelset full review

Best lightweight

Enve wheels come at a premium and with their Chris King hubs and overall high-quality build and finish, the SES 3.4 Discs reflect that. They're light at under 1400g and come with the differential rim heights common to all Enve SES wheels - in this case that means a 38mm front wheel paired with a 42mm rear - along with a 21mm internal rim width.

As for the aforementioned hubs, they feature a 45-tooth engagement system, which translates to a quick pick up and minimal drag. You're also getting bearings that are made in-house, all part of a component that's designed to last a lifetime with regular servicing.

The wheels feel very stable and the wide tire stance gives a feeling of control, while they hold their speed well. They may be expensive, but the Enve SES 3.4 wheels may just be the ultimate dream upgrade - especially if you're after a set of wheels that are made in the USA

Read more: Enve SES 3.4 Disc full review

Affordable Zipps

Zipp wheels are expensive, so the price of Zipp's 303S wheelset is a pleasant surprise. Like Zipp's other latest wheelsets, they have a wide internal rim bed and hookless bead. That lets you run lower pressures, but limits you to compatible tubeless tires of 25mm or wider only and a maximum of 72psi. You also need to look out for tire clearance, if you've got a tight frame.

Zipp says that, aerodynamically, the 303S wheels are almost the match of its much more expensive 303NSW and they feel fast, while the wide contact patch from the 23mm wide rims inspires cornering confidence.

Read more: Zipp 303S road bike wheelset full review

Best value aero

The Prime Doyenne 56 Carbon Disc Wheelset – previously known as ‘RD56’ – are deep section road wheels to add a bit of aero free speed to any road bike. According to Prime, the wheels are aimed at ‘road riders across all disciplines who prioritise performance, technology and reliability.’ On the whole, the wheels achieve these aims.

We found these wheels to be stiff and responsive – whether accelerating away from traffic lights or trying to power up a short, sharp climb. The aero improvement that you’ll find with almost any deep section wheelset was immediately apparent, they weren’t too sketchy in severe crosswinds either.

Read more: Prime Doyenne 56 Carbon Disc Wheelset full review

Fast and stable

With a wide 23mm internal width hookless rim, the Zipp 404 Firecrest wheels support 25mm tires well, with a flat-sided profile that helps provide a smooth, aerodynamic interface between the tire and the rim. It also means that you can drop tire pressure for a smoother, faster, more comfortable ride, although it makes the rims tubeless-only.

It also drops the weight of the 58mm deep rim by around 350g to 1,528g and the price from its predecessor. Zipp has also improved the seal design, while the freehub has a low 5 degree engagement angle for fast pickup.

Crosswind stability is good and the Zipps feel fast on the flat, while their weight is low enough for speedy acceleration and climbing. 

Read more: Zipp 404 Firecrest road bike wheelset full review

Great value and versatile

There's very little not to like about these Parcours wheels. In fact, we gave the Ronde full marks when we reviewed them - for a mid-price wheelset it's got an impressive combination of low weight, great ride quality, aerodynamics and adaptability to road or gravel riding.

There's a differential rim depth and profile front and rear to cope with the different needs - stability at front and power transfer at rear, with the same 23mm internal width for both. Rims are tubeless compatible, although the hooked bead means that they can be used with a wider range of tires than a hookless design.

Parcours wind tunnel tests its wheels and says that although less aero than the deeper Parcours Strade, the Ronde wheels are still best in class for their depth. 

Read more: Parcours Ronde wheelset full review

The best road bike wheels: rim brakes

Best aluminum rims

The Fulcrum Racing 4 C17 is an aluminium rim-brake wheelset which combines a reasonable weight - at 1,727g - with a reasonably deep section 35mm rim for improved aerodynamics.

These wheels do fare very well when it comes to stiffness. Even when setting brake clearance as tight as I dared there was no lateral flex or brake rub when cornering at speed to sprinting out of the saddle maximally. The braking was also brilliant, for rim brakes, and amongst the best I have used, giving greater confidence when descending. 

However, the narrow rim width does limit the rolling resistance performance of these wheels significantly compared to other wheels with wider rims that are optimised around chunkier tires. Comparing a pair of 23mm tires on the Fulcrum Racing 4 C17 directly to a set of wheels shod with 27mm tires, the difference in rolling resistance was noticeable - with the total system weight still being close enough as to be unnoticeable . 

Value-wise, these wheels are competitively priced against its rivals. Some of the other wheelsets come in at around 100g lighter, however they are mostly 24mm deep and also more expensive. With that weight difference feeling fairly negligible and the aerodynamic gains of a deeper section wheel being more beneficial across most terrains, the Fulcrum Racing 4 C17 do represent a solid choice.

Read more: Fulcrum Racing 4 road wheelset full review

Best aero rim

This performance wheelset is particularly important at what is probably the most competitive price point on the market. They're not the fastest to accelerate because they're 50mm deep, but once the Hunt 50 Carbon Wide Aero wheels are up to speed they're unstoppable and on our tests, these instantly increased our average ride speed.

As ever with Hunt wheels, they're tubeless-ready and have a very wide rim width because of it. Whichever tires you put on it will sit far wider than their stated widths.

Read more: Hunt 50 Carbon Wide Aero full review

Stiff and light

Scribe has put a lot of thought into creating a wheelset that promises longevity and durability, with plenty of nods to consumer satisfaction - such as customisable bearing options and extra spokes and nipples supplied as standard. 

The rims themselves proved to be durable - though their bombproof quality comes at the loss of some compliance. You won't find any flex here, though, so if stiff is on your shopping list then these value for money hoops could be the perfect upgrade for you. 

Read more: Scribe 3850 full review

How to choose the best road bike wheels

The thing is, if you want a wheel that is light and aerodynamic, while also being stiff to cope with the power you put out when sprinting, and hardy enough to stay straight and true when faced with rough roads, you’re going to notice a sizeable dent in your bank account. So before buying, it's important to know exactly what you want from your wheelset.

The questions below are a general guide to the things to consider when choosing between the types of wheels that are available, but fortunately for us cyclists most wheels are spread across all three types, and in general it is possible to get a very good set of do-it-all wheels.

Different types of road bike wheels

Clinchers utilise an open cross-section tire with a bead that holds it in place on the inside of the rim and uses an inner tube. This offers a great deal of convenience as it is easy to repair when you get punctures.

Carbon clincher wheels are significantly heavier than the equivalent tubulars because the rim needs to be stronger to cope with the demands of braking pressure and force from the rim. Some deep section wheels feature a carbon fairing placed over an aluminium rim. These are heavier, but are cheaper than a complete carbon rim, owing to lower manufacturing and development costs, while the aluminium brake track can lead to more consistent braking with rim brakes than many carbon rims.

Tubular wheels are usually lighter than the clincher alternative. This is because the rim does not need to be as strong in order to hold the bead of the tire. 

Bonding of the tire to the rim is crucial, in order to avoid rolling the tire off the rim while cornering. Glueing is the most traditional way and considered the most reliable, but it typically takes a couple of days to set, whereas tape is much quicker. The solvent in the glue is also harmful, whereas tape is inert.

If you are racing, riding a sportive or Gran Fondo, or training on a tubular tire and you get a puncture there are a couple of options. Sealant, such as Vittoria Pit Stop can be injected into the tire to seal the hole, but this may not work if the hole is too big.

Alternatively, a spare tub can be placed on the rim, but this will not be bonded as strongly. If you are racing, or riding with a support vehicle, tubulars can be a joy to ride, but for training rides and everyday use, even professionals use clinchers.

Braking surface

Having a carbon or aluminium wheel is going to directly impact the braking surface of the rim. It is easier to manufacture a perfectly flat braking surface with aluminium and the surface reacts more consistently to braking force from a brake pad, particularly when it's wet, resulting in more consistent braking. In addition, aluminium can be machined to feature grooves and patterns to improve the efficiency of the braking.

Carbon braking is consistently improving as technology moves forward, but still pales in comparison to aluminium, especially in the wet. Carbon braking surfaces can also suffer from heat build, especially if you drag your brakes for a long time, which can lead to de-lamination and failure of the rim.

The move to disc brake wheels removes the need for a braking surface on the rim, meaning that it can be built lighter and with a wider, more aerodynamic profile.

Hubs

Hubs are at the centre of the wheel and contain the axle and bearings. Higher quality hubs are better made, often with superior bearings that roll with less friction. Cartridge bearings are the usual standard on anything except the cheapest wheels because they are simple to replace, although Shimano wheels all use loose ball bearings. The smoothest bearings are ceramic ones, although they come with a price tag to match.

In freewheel bicycles (i.e. anything that is not a fixie), the rear hub has a freehub body which is what holds the cassette. This means you can freewheel without turning the pedals.

Whether a wheelset is Shimano/SRAM 11-speed or Campagnolo 11/12-speed compatible depends upon the freehub body, as the different cassettes have a slightly different pattern in the way they slot onto the freehub. This isn’t usually a problem as different freehub bodies can be purchased and changed on the wheel.

SRAM's 12-speed AXS groupsets utilise an XDR driver, a technology borrowed from its Eagle MTB groupsets to allow for a 10 tooth smallest cog. Shimano has also introduced a new freehub design for its latest 12-speed road groupsets, although they're backward compatible with an 11-speed Shimano freehub body.

Campagnolo has a new freehub body called N3W for its Ekar gravel groupset. Its new wheelsets will come with a compatible freehub, although the good news is that it's compatible with its 11/12-speed cassettes via an adaptor.

Note too that MTB freehubs are not compatible with road bike cassettes, as the freehub body is 1.8mm narrower on MTB wheels.

Campagnolo was the first cycling groupset maker to create a 12-speed groupset. The good news is that the cassette fits on the same body as the 11-speed cluster, meaning you should be able to keep using your old wheels. SRAM also now offer a 12-speed road groupset, eTap AXS, but you'll need an XDR driver, while Shimano's 12-speed groupsets are compatible with 11-speed Shimano freehubs.

Spokes and Nipples

Spokes provide support from the hub to the rim and distribute the pressure around the bike wheel, working in both tension and compression. Pay attention to the spoke count, as the more there are the stronger but heavier the wheel. Meanwhile, fewer spokes often make the wheel more aerodynamic. The shape of the spokes also matters, with flat/aero/bladed spokes becoming increasingly standard across all price points.

Nipples hold the spoke in place on the rim and are typically made of brass. When a wheel is trued the spoke tension is adjusted via the nipple. Aluminium nipples can save weight, although they're more subject to corrosion than brass nipples and can freeze to the spoke or break.

How we test

We've ridden hundreds of miles on these wheels in a variety of conditions, both on flat courses and on hillier rides. When a wheelset is tubeless-compatible, we'll have set it up tubeless too and recorded our experiences.

With our crew of highly experienced reviewers we know what to look for in the best road bike wheels.