House brands are making serious waves in the wheelset and cockpit market and Cadex isn’t about to be left behind. Giant-owned Cadex has released several industry-leading road wheelsets and is now leaning into the gravel space with the all-new AR 35 Disc Wheelset and gravel tires to go alongside the previously-released AR Handlebar (in for review). In a space where marginal gains are highly-valued, the new Cadex AR Disc Wheelset drops the competition in weight, lateral stiffness and transmission stiffness.
To make a fast wheel, it needs to be responsive. But responsiveness can be difficult to quantify, though it can certainly be felt when sprinting. Cadex engineers have developed tests to measure the overall stiffness, which they explain below.
“Transmission stiffness determines how much torsional flex a complete wheel displays when load is applied. This simulates pedaling torque at the freehub. Lateral stiffness determines how much flex a complete wheel shows when side load is applied. This simulates force generated when rocking the bike side to side, on a climb for example, or when going into a corner. Less torsional and lateral flex means less energy wasted. Higher transmission stiffness also increases stability and control under cornering load. For a wheel to be truly efficient, however, it can’t just be stiff; it also has to be light. Only through careful application of the most advanced materials at the most crucial points can a class- leading stiffness-to-weight ratio be achieved.”
With that, the results of those tests do put the new AR Disc WheelSystem into rare air in terms of weight and overall stiffness.
To achieve these numbers, the Cadex AR Disc wheelset doesn’t skimp on specs either, as you’ll see below. But, to get these killer specs, you’ll have to spend a cool $3k, which sits among the more expensive wheelsets on the market from the likes of Zipp, Bontrager, Roval and ENVE. But, that price does include carbon spokes and ceramic bearings to go along with the lateral/transmission stiffness.
Cadex AR Disc WheelSystem Features:
- Hookless rim for impact resistance and a rounder tire profile
- 25mm inner and 31mm outer widths
- 35mm rim height
- Cadex aero carbon spokes
- Dynamic Balanced Lacing sets spokes at a wider bracing angle
- Cadex ceramic bearings
- Optimized for 28-45mm road and gravel tubeless tires
- R2-C60 rear hub features R-Drive with 60-tooth freehub
- Integrated, fixed front axle to increase stiffness
- 2 year warranty with 5 year crash replacement
- Weight: 1270 grams
- MSRP: $3000 (set)
Cadex tires too
In addition, Cadex is launching a pair of 40mm gravel tires. The AR Tubeless tire is built for fast-paced races and riding and the GX Tubeless for mud, gravel and rocky singletrack. Both will retail for $85.
More Info: Visit Cadex-Cycling.com
