CADEX 65 Tubeless Carbon Wheels

If you were around in the 80's then the CADEX name may not be new to you. The name has been resurrected as a moniker for the latest range of top-tier cycling equipment that is designed to be the pinnacle of performance product. The new CADEX range has a different development cycle from much of the product on the market today and rather than being created to satisfy a price point - where compromises are made - the CADEX product line-up has been developed from the standpoint of delivering everything possible without compromise. To this end, CADEX began with conversations with pro teams (CCC mainly but you'll see CADEX on other pro team bikes in the coming seasons). It went a bit like this :

CADEX : Tell us exactly what you want from wheels and tyres and exactly what you want from a saddle. We'll make it for you. Zero compromise.

CCC : Ok.

Simple really. The price point was never a factor in the genesis of the brand - simply the quest for the best performing products. Over a period of 2 seasons and with continuous, no-holds-barred feedback from the pros, CADEX have - in conjunction with riders - created a concise range of products that deliver real world, tangible performance gains (wheels) and comfort and stability (saddles) and compared to much of the competition, the price is not bad either!

With regard to the wheels, CADEX have created a brand new process for the lay-up that has multiple benefits. Rather than a normal circu-linear lay-up, CADEX have removed much of the excess carbon that fills the rim by wrapping the rim with a focus on key strength areas - namely the spokes. This Precision Reinforced Lay-Up employs high-tensile strength carbon fibre and high Tg resin is reinforced at the most crucial points for industry-leading stiffness, ride compliance and strength with no unnecessary weight. The rim bed is also hookless and features a continuous carbon fibre structure enhancing the overall durability and heat management. Indeed, the rim design - with a wide inner rim and less overall weight - improves responsiveness, acceleration and handling while the precision reinforced carbon lay-up offers unparalleled heat dissipation and, combined with CADEX brake pads, superior braking performance in any conditions.

Hookless designs are not that common in road as yet, largely because tubeless tyre standards are anything but consistent so tyres blowing off of rims is a risk - particularly at higher pressures. Since CADEX's drive was to create pinnacle product, it was a given that they would be creating their own tyres and so they forged ahead. Their hookless design provides the best airflow transition from the tyre to the sidewall of the rim, resulting in reduced aerodynamic loss when compared to standard hook bead rims. The CADEX design and construction maximises aerodynamics and durability. Significant reductions in front and side drag ensure that these wheels are extremely fast, yet remain stable in shifting winds, this stems in part from ultralight CADEX carbon spokes which - aside from reducing weight and enhancing comfort - offer improved airflow through a custom-designed aero shape. On close inspection you will find that each spoke is more than simply bladed, but that they have a broad leading edge and sharper trailing edge to improve the airflow over the surface.

The term 'Carbon Spoke' often elicits a sharp intake of breath and a quivver of uncertainty over repairs and longevity. Panic not - while the spokes are constructed from carbon, they lace like any other spoke and are not 'part' of the rim or hub, making replacements possible in the same way as you would with a metal spoke.

The spokes are also laced into the rim using race-proven Dynamic Balanced Lacing (DBL) technology that varies tension not only between drive and non-driveside spokes, but within the drive side itself. This ensures spokes are set for optimal tension when under dynamic pedalling force versus when static, resulting in superior transmission stiffness and efficiency.

Overall the CADEX 65's all-new hookless 65mm deep carbon rims with custom-calibrated spokes, offer outstanding durability and aerodynamics at a super low weight. Combined with purpose-designed hubs that significantly reduce friction to eliminate power loss, the CADEX 65 wheel system provides maximum aero gains with surefooted stability in shifting winds, all at a weight more commonly reserved for wheels of half the depth.

Aesthetics are pleasingly simple. Black on Black wordmark graphics are all that is to be seen and will pair nicely with any bike you wish to mount them.