Best triathlon wheels reviewed

Want to go faster on the bike? Then some carbon wheels with deeper rims to slice through wind are one of the most proven investments you can make.

While your legs are the most important piece of the puzzle in the quest for speed, when we’re talking about time you can save using deep rim wheelsets compared to standard training wheels over an hour, we’re often dealing in minutes rather than seconds. And, if you’re competing in Ironman, you can multiply that a few times over.

Modern carbon race wheels are relatively more affordable and better quality than ever, with numerous brands now offering imports designed to their own specifications.

With the shift towards disc brakes and wider tyres, many brands now offer rims that are wider internally with options to run standard clinchers with inner tubes, or tubeless tyres with sealant to bolster puncture protection.

It’s a case of purchasing based on your preferred race distances and locations, and if you have even more budget then that could mean investing in different depth triathlon wheels for varying conditions.

Best triathlon wheels for racing

FFWD RYOT 55

• £1349.99

FFWD claims to have modernised the RYOT 55 for wider tyres by broadening the internal rim width to 21mm while maintaining aerodynamic prowess.

In their element on level ground, the RYOT 55 feel as about as fast as race wheels come. Crosswinds didn’t cause any issues in our testing either.

Being deeper than most of the competition, the RYOT 55 are also heavier at 1,690g. This means climbing isn’t as effortless.

The spec is a mixed bag. At this price, you’d hope for more premium DT Swiss hubs. But the RYOT 55 seems solidly put together and the parts should be easy to replace. 

• Read our full FFWD RYOT 55 review

Parcours Strade

Buy now from Parcours

• £1,099 / $1,298

The Parcours Strade are by no means new wheels but look no further if you want exceptional value from your triathlon race wheels.

The combination of low weight, stiffness and aerodynamics makes them a delight to ride at speed. 

Meanwhile, a wide internal rim, optimised for 28mm tyres, and excellent ride quality mean the Strade can also handle poorly surfaced roads. 

Parcours gives you lots of options to customise the wheels as well.

• Read our full Parcours Strade review 

Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc

• £999 / $1,399

The Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc offer staggeringly good value for money, rivalling triathlon race wheels costing double their £999 asking price. 

For most triathletes, I think the 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc strikes the ideal balance between handling, speed and climbing performance. 

While rolling along at pace on the flat, the difference between the Hunts and ultra-expensive wheelsets is barely discernible. 

The hooked rim bead enables you to run the 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc tubeless or use tube-type tyres with inner tubes. 23mm to 40mm wide tyres are compatible with the rim which has a 20mm internal and 29mm external width.

• Read our full Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc wheelset review

Black Inc 48|52 

• £2,899 / $2,899

The Black Inc 48|52 are the lightest and most expensive triathlon race wheels I’ve tested, weighing 1,290g and setting you back £2,899. 

The result from Factor’s in-house brand are hoops which ride like climbing wheels on ascents and aero wheels at higher speeds.

What’s more, handling stability is very good for wheels this deep (48mm front and 52mm rear). 

CeramicSpeed bearings, carbon spokes and high-flange hubs make up a no-expense-spared spec. 

The hooked rim will accept tubeless and clincher tyres, while its 23mm internal and 29mm external width is ideal for 28mm-wide tyres, according to the brand. 

• Read our full Black Inc 48/52 wheelset review

Miche Kleos RD 50mm Tubeless

• £1,699

The Miche Kleos RD 50mm Tubeless struck me as a great choice of wheels for longer triathlons. 

These Italian wheels don’t equal the sparkle and acceleration of the Black Inc and Cadex competitors. But they are cheaper and handle well in gusts. 

Add in a progressively wide internal rim, aero-looking bladed spokes and respectable weight and the Kleos RD 50mm Tubeless amount to an attractive option for triathlon racing. 

• Read our full Miche Kleos RD 50mm Tubeless review 

Cadex Ultra 50 Disc Tubeless

• £2,648.99 / $3,500

The Cadex Ultra 50 Disc Tubeless are a close match for the Black Inc 48|52 in terms of aerodynamics, weight and price.

The Ultra 50 Disc Tubeless’ acceleration, straight-line speed and handling are breathtakingly good.

Stealthy logos, an unvarnished carbon finish and aero spokes help produce a fantastic looking aero wheel too. While spending £2,600 on wheels, I think it’s fair to take aesthetics into account.  

If I’m being fussy, the freehub is noisy and the hookless rim will narrow your choice of compatible tyres. 

• Read our full Cadex Ultra 50 Disc Tubeless review 

Giant SLR 1 50 Disc WheelSystem

• £1,199.98 / $1,599.98

The SLR 1 Disc WheelSystem comes in much cheaper than options from the Giant’s in-house marque Cadex, and performs admirably.

Because the Giant SLR 1 50 Disc WheelSystem stand out during extended steady efforts, including in crosswinds, I’d recommend them for long-course triathlons. 

Understandably, the SLR 1 50 Disc WheelSystem don’t feel as nippy as the boutique wheels in this category. And bear in mind the hooked rims will limit your tyre choice. 

• Read our full Giant SLR 1 50 WheelSystem review 

Mavic Cosmic SL 45

• £1,420

The Cosmic SL 45 lived up to Mavic’s billing as an all-round wheelset in my testing.

Measuring 45mm deep, their profile isn’t as aerodynamic as some race wheels. Accordingly they didn’t feel outrageously fast. 

For the depth, the Cosmic SL 45 aren’t especially light, which their middling climbing performance reflects. 

On the plus side, they feel stiff and responsive to accelerations. Although on the narrow side with an internal rim width of 19mm, the Mavic Cosmic SL 45 were easy to fit tyres to. 

• Read our full Mavic Cosmic SL 45 review 

Shimano Ultegra R8170 C50 Tubeless CL Disc

• £1,099.98 / $1,314.52

Slotting underneath the premium Dura-Ace model in Shimano’s range, the Ultegra R8170 C50 Tubeless CL Disc present a more economical way to upgrade your race wheels.

For the relatively reasonable price of £1,099.98, the spec is suitably competent (steel spokes and bearings, for example). 

These functional components translate into stolid performance on the road, where the Ultegra R8170 C50 Tubeless CL Disc feels slower-rolling and less responsive than glitzier options. 

 Although that’s acceptable for the money, alternatives from Hunt and Parcours seem a better place to invest.

The Ultegra R8170 C50 Tubeless CL Disc have a tubeless-ready, hookless rim (ensuring compatibility with inner tubes) that has a 21mm internal width to fit tyres up to 32mm wide. 

• Read our full Shimano Ultegra R8170 C50 Tubeless CL Disc review