Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison Table
- What to Look for in Hand-Built Carbon Wheels
- Hand-Built Carbon Wheels for Heavy Riders
- 1. Carbon Spoked Wave 5031: Maximum Power Transfer
- 2. Carbon Spoked Marble 60 SL: Aggressive Aero and Stiffness
- 3. Carbon Spoked 5031: All-Round Balance for Climbing and Speed
- 4. 45 FWT Wide Carbon Spoked GWR: Gravel and Wide-Tyre Road
- 5. 5045 Wave Wheelset SL: Crosswind Stability for Lighter Riders
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 24, 2026
Quick Comparison Table
| Wheelset | Weight | Rim Depth | Best For | Rider Weight Limit | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Spoked Wave 5031 | 1,420g | 45/55mm | Power transfer & speed | 120kg | $2,600 |
| Carbon Spoked Marble 60 SL | 1,246g | 60mm | Aggressive aero & stiffness | 110kg | $2,600 |
| Carbon Spoked 5031 | 1,281g | 50mm | All-round climbing & aero | 95-115kg | $2,400 |
| 45 FWT Wide Carbon Spoked GWR | 1,160g | 45mm | Gravel & wide-tyre road | 110kg | $2,600 |
| 5045 Wave Wheelset SL | 1,310g | 50/45mm | Crosswind stability | 90kg | $1,990 |
What to Look for in Hand-Built Carbon Wheels
Hand built carbon wheels prioritise precision for your specific riding style and body weight, unlike factory wheels that prioritise consistency at scale.
Under load, a poorly tensioned spoke or misaligned rim absorbs watts that should go forward. Hand-built wheels are trued to 0.1mm laterally and radially with uniform spoke tension verified by hand, precision that separates responsive wheels from sluggish ones.
Lateral stiffness converts your power; a wheel that flexes sideways loses efficiency. A 24-spoke rear with 16 spokes on the drive side delivers stiffer response than a lighter 20-spoke rear.
Rim Depth and Aerodynamic Efficiency
Deeper rims create pressure buildup that destabilises wheels in gusts. The wave-shaped rim design releases pressure earlier, allowing crosswinds to flow around the rim instead of pushing it sideways.
A 50-60mm rim depth delivers aerodynamic benefits without handling penalties, maintaining speed in crosswinds better than shallower alternatives.
Wider internal rims (25mm+) accommodate larger tyres while maintaining a profile slightly narrower than the rim edge, creating smoother airflow and reducing rolling resistance.
Lateral Stiffness and Power Transfer
Lateral stiffness determines rim deflection under load. A stiff wheel translates every watt into forward momentum; a flexible wheel absorbs energy as the rim moves side-to-side.
The taper-locked interface is stiffer than bonded connections. Larger hub flanges increase bracing angles, increasing stiffness for the same spoke count.
Riders who sprint hard feel the wheel respond sharply to pedal input. Heavy riders and high-power riders notice stiffness differences more than lighter riders, which is why spoke count scales with body weight and wattage.
Weight, Durability, and Rider Load Capacity
Lighter wheels accelerate faster and climb easier.
Hand-built wheels balance weight with durability through high-modulus carbon (Toray T700, T800, and T100 carbon are mentioned for Carbon Spoked Wave 5031, Toray T700+T800 Carbon Fiber for 5045 Wave Wheelset SL and 4035 SL Wave Wheelset, Toray T700 pre prg filament wound tape for 45 FWT Wide Carbon Spoked GWR and 50 FWT Wide RG, and Toray T700 T800 carbon fiber for Carbon Spoked Marble 60 SL) and EPS internal moulding, which creates denser rim structures with fewer voids.
Rider weight capacity is real. Exceed the limit and spoke tension decreases under load, causing the wheel to lose stiffness and true. Heavier riders need more spokes to maintain spoke tension and responsiveness.
Hand-Built Carbon Wheels for Heavy Riders
Heavy riders face constraints; factory wheels often cap at 100-110kg maximum. Hand-built wheels solve this with 21/24 or 24-spoke configurations that increase spoke count on the drive side.
A 24-spoke rear with 16 spokes on the drive side creates asymmetrical bracing that concentrates stiffness where power transfers, delivering responsiveness of a lighter wheel while handling loads up to 120kg.
Filament-wound rim construction uses pre-preg carbon tape wound in precise patterns, creating uniform fibre distribution and fewer voids.
1. Carbon Spoked Wave 5031: Maximum Power Transfer
The Carbon Spoked Wave 5031 is engineered for riders delivering consistent high wattage who want zero energy loss. At 1,420g, weight is strategically distributed to maintain inertia on flat terrain.
The 24-carbon-spoke rear with 16 spokes on the drive side delivers maximum lateral stiffness, translating every pedal stroke into forward momentum without flex or compliance losses.
The wave-shaped rim design with 45/55mm depth manages crosswind pressure by releasing buildup earlier, allowing stability in side winds. In real world roll testing and racing these wheels outperformed others in their ability to maintain speed and handle any adverse cross winds.
Carbon Spoked 5031 (1281 grams) →
The rim uses Toray T700, T800, and T100 carbon with EPS internal moulding. The 36-tooth star ratchet hub engages instantly with ceramic bearings reducing rolling resistance.
Max rider weight is 120kg with bike, making this the choice for heavier riders who need stiffness without compromise. The 3-year warranty on manufacturing defects plus crash replacement at 50% RRP reflects confidence in build quality.
2. Carbon Spoked Marble 60 SL: Aggressive Aero and Stiffness
At 1,246g, the Carbon Spoked Marble 60 SL packs serious aero depth into a lightweight package, designed for riders spending time at speed on flat terrain who can afford the crosswind handling trade-off.
This wheelset uses 24 carbon spokes at the rear with 8/16 asymmetrical bracing and 20 spokes on the front, delivering a wheel that climbs better than traditional 60mm rims while maintaining aero benefits.
The marble rim finish provides that extra bling. Toray T700 and T800 carbon fiber is used. Tubeless-ready clincher design accommodates 28-50mm tyres, though optimal aero pairing is 28-32mm.
The taper-locked interface between carbon spokes and titanium nipples provides a stiffer joint.
Max rider weight is 110kg with bike. The 3-year warranty includes crash replacement at 60% RRP.
3. Carbon Spoked 5031: All-Round Balance for Climbing and Speed
The Carbon Spoked 5031 is the versatile choice at 1,281g, deep enough for aero benefits, light enough for climbing, balanced enough for mixed terrain without sacrificing climbing performance.
The 50mm rim depth delivers aerodynamic efficiency without handling penalties of 60mm+ alternatives, maintaining speed in crosswinds while remaining stable. The 31mm rim width optimises for 30mm tyres.
Two spoke configurations are available: 20/20 for riders under 85kg (1,280g), and 21/24 for heavier riders or high-power output (1,350g), letting you match spoke count to your weight and riding style.
The high-modulus carbon with EPS internal moulding creates a rim structure. Hand-built to 0.1mm trueness with uniform spoke tension, these wheels maintain their true and responsiveness.
Max rider weight is 95kg for the 20/20 configuration and 115kg for the 21/24. The 3-year warranty covers manufacturing defects with crash replacement at 50% RRP.
4. 45 FWT Wide Carbon Spoked GWR: Gravel and Wide-Tyre Road
The 45 FWT Wide is built for riders who want genuine aero benefits without the tyre-width compromise. At 1,160g, it's the lightest option here, but the real story is the 36.5mm rim width with 25mm internal hooked profile.
This wide rim design accommodates 34-35mm tyres while maintaining a tyre profile slightly narrower than the rim edge. This creates smoother airflow over the rim and lower rolling resistance compared to narrower rims with the same tyre width. The combination of wider rim and larger tyre reduces vibration on rough pavement, improving comfort without sacrificing speed.
5. 5045 Wave Wheelset SL: Crosswind Stability for Lighter Riders
The 5045 Wave is purpose-built for riders who struggle with crosswind stability and value predictable handling over raw speed. At 1,310g, it's not the lightest option, but the wave-shaped rim design solves a real problem: pressure buildup that destabilises wheels in side winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes hand-built carbon wheels better than factory-built options?
Hand-built carbon wheels offer uniform spoke tension and precision truing to 0.1mm, which factory methods struggle to match. This consistency reduces stress concentration on individual spokes and extends wheel life. Hand-built construction also allows customisation of spoke count, lacing pattern, and hub selection based on your weight and riding style, whereas factory wheels come in fixed configurations. For heavier riders or those applying high power, this tailored approach prevents spoke fatigue and maintains lateral stiffness under load.
Are hand-built carbon wheels suitable for heavy riders over 100kg?
Yes, but you need the right build. Models like the Carbon Spoked Wave 5031 and Carbon Spoked Marble 60 SL support riders up to 120kg with bike. The key is spoke count and lacing: a 24-spoke rear with an 8/16 drive-side ratio (more spokes on the drive side) increases lateral stiffness and distributes load more evenly. Heavier riders should avoid shallow, ultra-light designs under 1200 grams, as rotational weight matters less than spoke tension consistency and hub engagement quality when supporting higher loads.
What are the benefits of carbon spokes versus standard aluminium spokes?
Carbon spokes improve lateral stiffness and power transfer efficiency because carbon fibre has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminium. This means every watt you generate transfers more directly into forward momentum rather than flex in the wheel. The taper-lock interface (where the spoke meets the nipple) in hand-built wheels ensures consistent tension distribution.
How do rim depth and wave design affect handling in windy conditions?
Deeper rims (50mm+) provide aerodynamic benefits but catch crosswinds more aggressively. Wave-profile rims (like the 5045 and Wave CS 4565) use a curved rim shape to release pressure buildup from crosswinds earlier, improving stability. The wave design allows air to flow around the rim more predictably rather than creating sudden lateral forces. Lighter riders under 90kg benefit most from wave designs, as they're more affected by crosswind instability. For heavier riders, a stiffer spoke pattern often matters more than rim profile.