Lightweight Meilenstein wheels review

Result, I'm 0.2 seconds faster than the year before (well, not even Lightweight can perform miracles) but at least I didn't go slower, and being the wrong side of 40, I'll take that, but I don't want to give them back.
-
+
Light and stiff
-
+
Accelerate well
-
-
Come at a cost
Having exhausted absolutely every possible (legal) performance aid, losing weight and piling on yet more training, I was keen to throw the dice and see if I could get a few more personal bests thanks to Lightweight's new wheelset.
Now in its fourth generation, the Meilensteins have morphed out of the Standards. In effect, CarbonSports has completely reworked the wheels all the way from how the spokes locate in the rim wall to the actual profile. The area where the spoke enters the rim is lower and reprofiled to make it stiffer and less affected by crosswinds.
At the same time, the tyre bed is more radiused to decrease the chance of impact damage. Both of these changes have reduced the rim height from 53mm to 47.5mm while also increasing stiffness, according to Lightweight.
There is a moment with all new wheels that has to be savoured that you only ever get once from that very first push on the pedals. That first sensation must be digested and then cross-referenced with that of all your other first rides. So here's goes...
Bang: wow! The transfer of power is unbelievably immediate, instantaneous.
They are the most responsive, most direct wheels I've ever accelerated; every bit as good as people say they are.
This near-perfection comes from the full-carbon, bonded construction, while looking characteristically homemade, it simply allows no room for play. For the first ride it's almost dark and I must get to the base of a hill. Following a four-kilometre warm-up I'm ready for a two-minute blast.
They explode from the blocks, even with heavy (road) tubs on them they feel as light as air, but as rigid as a disc. With the test ride over and no PB to brag about (conditions weren't ideal) my next stop is racing. Four days later I'm on the start line at the Monsal Head Hill-Climb, my bike pimped to the max. I have to do these wheels justice and I give it everything.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
The general classification just got even tighter: Five talking points from stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
There was climbing, climbing, and more climbing on Tuesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jan Hirt wins first-ever Grand Tour stage with victory on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
The Czech rider attacked 10km from the line up the final climb of the day, and managed to hold on from Thymen Arensman to take the win
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Who's out of the Giro d'Italia 2022 by stage 16? Dumoulin, López and Bardet among those to abandon
The latest retirements from this year's race
By Adam Becket • Published