The underlying idea is simple: instead of selling a wheel and a tyre separately, CADEX designs the two as a single aerodynamic object. It is not a new concept in the industry, but it is the first time CADEX has pushed this philosophy so far. And the technical data are there to justify it, at least in part.

What the carbon spokes really change on the CADEX Max 50

The technical heart of the CADEX Max 50 rests on three elements designed to work together: a 50mm hookless rim, integrated Super Aero carbon spokes and a slim-flanged hub. The whole thing weighs 1,290g a pair, a reasonable figure for this positioning, without being stratospheric.

What deserves attention is the Dynamic Balanced Lacing system. CADEX explains that this lacing geometry widens the spoke tension angle and stabilises that tension under load. The claimed result: drive stiffness greater than that of the CADEX Ultra 50, which are laced more conventionally. In other words, the Max 50 are not just Ultra 50 with a revised profile: they are architecturally different.

The 22.4mm internal rim width is in line with the current norm for aerodynamic optimisation with 25 to 28mm tyres. This choice is not insignificant: it is the dimension that allows the redesigned profile of the Aero tyre to be fully exploited.

The Aero tyre: at last a tyre designed for the wheel, and not the other way round

This is where the system approach really makes sense. The CADEX Aero tyre is not an adapted generic tyre. It was designed in tandem with the 22.4mm internal rim. Its profile is described as taller and wider than previous CADEX tyres, with reshaped shoulders to smooth the airflow over the edge of the rim. The aim: for the rim/tyre junction to be not a point of turbulence but a continuous shape.

The quoted 240 TPI casing is a serious indicator: at this thread density, you get a rolling resistance / low weight compromise that matches what you expect from a high-end racing tyre. Race Shield puncture protection is built in, and CADEX makes the point that a racing tyre does not have to mean structural fragility.

This wheel + tyre pairing, when it is well executed, makes it possible to optimise the well-known rim width / tyre width ratio whose importance aero studies have shown.

My verdict

The approach is coherent. Designing the rim and tyre together to optimise the aerodynamic interface is a direction that the physical data justify. A bike wheel’s aero performance does not lie in the wheel alone but in the rim + tyre assembly in motion. Dynamic Balanced Lacing is a real technical differentiation from the Ultra range, not a simple rebranding.

Technical specifications

• Rim depth: 50mm (hookless rim, front and rear)
• Weight: 1,290g a pair
• Internal width: 22.4mm
• External width: 30mm
• Hubs: CADEX R3
• Spokes: CADEX Super Aero
• Bearings: Ceramic
• Tyre compatibility: Tubeless, CADEX Aero tyre recommended
• Price: €3,998

A lighter, stiffer, faster disc wheel

The Max Aero Disc redefines the standards for disc wheels. Weighing just 1000 g, it is 150 g lighter than its predecessor, while offering greater stiffness and aerodynamic efficiency. Designed for fast, flat courses, this wheel excels at reducing drag, an asset validated by extensive wind tunnel testing. Its structure incorporates major advances, such as Cadex’s trademark Max carbon spoking, a new 1K carbon fairing skin and new ultralight hubs. All combined, Cadex claims an improvement of 54.3% in lateral stiffness and 20.2% in drive stiffness. Paired with ultra-smooth ceramic bearings, it guarantees minimal energy loss, making it a favoured choice for racers looking to “crush the clock”.

Cadex Max Aero disc wheel technical specifications

• Rim: Hookless
• Rim material: 1k carbon
• Hubs: R3-C40 – Ratchet system
• Bearings : Cadex ceramic
• Spokes : Cadex Aero Carbon
• Internal width: 22.4 mm, compatible with 25-30 mm tubeless tyres.
• External width: 28.4 mm
• Weight : 1000 g
• Price: €2799.
• Lifetime warranty (registration required on the Cadex website)
• 5-year crash replacement

These features make the Max Aero Disc a formidable weapon for triathlons and time trials, where every watt counts.

Spoked wheels to slice through the air under control

The 4-spoke wheels complete the Aero range with a versatile approach. With 50 mm rims at the front and 65 mm at the rear, these four-spoke carbon wheels offer a perfect balance between speed and stability. Their design, refined in the wind tunnel, reduces drag in crosswind conditions, while their exceptional stiffness ensures precise control, even at high speed. This model is aimed at cyclists who want to combine aerodynamics, handling… and style!

Cadex Aero 4-Spoke wheels technical specifications

• Rim: Hookless
• Rim depths : 50 mm front and 65 mm rear
• Rim material: 1k carbon
• Hubs: R3-C40 – Ratchet system
• Bearings : Cadex ceramic
• Spokes : Cadex Aero Carbon
• Internal width: 22.4 mm, compatible with 25-30 mm tubeless tyres.
• External width: 30 mm front and 32 mm rear
• Weight : 880 g front and 1047 g rear
• Price: €1849 for the front wheel and €2249 for the rear wheel
• Lifetime warranty (registration required on the Cadex website)
• 5-year crash replacement
• Price: €1849 (front), €2249 (rear).

Where can I buy Cadex Max Aero wheels?

Cadex Max Aero carbon wheels will be available from the end of May 2025. For French cyclists, there are several options:

• Official Giant dealers, who distribute the Cadex brand, or online
• The official Cadex website, which offers a complete showcase, with a store locator to find dealers near you.
• Some specialist cycling e-commerce sites may also stock them, although availability will probably be limited.