18/06/2026
2026 Elitewheels Premium Drive Helix Onhand
Drive Helix 46D 57D CS 68
Aerodynamic Gen 3 Carbon Spoke💯
CeramicBearings💯
Msrp:79000
The Drive Helix 46D CS was designed to be the perfect climbing wheelset. Being part of our first ultra-premium wheel series, it has been optimized for not only tackling the toughest climbs, but also for the sprints due to its low inertia.
Drawing inspiration from our popular Drive road wheels, the 46D CS uses replaceable carbon spokes, UNI carbon fiber, and TPI ceramic bearings. What sets these new wheels apart isn’t just the new patented Helical Dual Ratchet Hub and improved carbon spoke design, but also our innovative undulating rim design, whose unique profile results in helical-shaped laminar flow when out riding.
Rim
Wheel Sizes 700C
Tire Compatibility Clincher/ Tubeless
Bead Type Hooked
Rim Depth F:39-43mm R:42-46mm
Inner Width 21mm
Outer Width F:31.8mm R:30.8mm
Spoke
Front Spoke Pattern 2X/Radial (2:1)
Rear Spoke Pattern 1X/2X (1:2)
Spoke Count 21F/24R
Spoke Type Carbon Spoke (5.2mm)
Ni**le Type Alloy Secure Lock
Spare Spokes 4PCS
Hub
Front Hub Spacing 12x100mm
Rear Hub Spacing 12x142mm
Brake Compatibility Disc (Center Lock)
Freehub Compatibility Shimano / SRAM XDR
Hub Options Evolution / Surface
Other
Rim Finish Glossy Marbling Black
Extras Pre-installed Rim Tape & Tubeless Valves
Rider Weight Limit 275lbs/125kg
Recommended Tire Sizes 700 x 25-38C
Certification UCI Approved
Evolution Hub
Bearing TPI Ceramic
Freehub Type Helical Dual Ratchet System
Weight (Pair) 1335±30g (without tubeless valves and rim tape)
Surface Hub
Bearing S&S Ceramic
Freehub Type Star Ratchet
Weight (Pair) 1285±30g (without tubeless valves and rim tape)
Rims
In designing the Drive Helix 46D CS wheelset, the goal was to create something that ticked all of the boxes. It had to not only be aero, light, laterally stiff, strong, but also crosswind resistant. To accomplish this, we used our in-house UNI carbon fiber, which is a mixture of our custom resin and genuine Japanese Toray T800 and T1000 carbon fiber. It allows our wheels to be stiff, light, and strong enough to go far beyond the UCI’s vertical impact test. Our patented undulating rim design draws inspiration from the tubercle effect found widely in nature, allowing for a significant improvement in stability in windy conditions.
The wheels are aerodynamically optimized for 28-30mm tires. The front wheel’s wider 31.8mm external width improves airflow around the rim, offering further stability in crosswinds. Both the front and rear rim depths were also chosen specifically to meet the needs of road riders. The Drive Helix 46D CS’s mixed depth wheels allow for the best of both worlds when it comes to aerodynamics, weight, and control
Spokes
No stone was left unturned when designing the Drive Helix 46D CS. Newer, more aerodynamic carbon spokes were selected without sacrificing weight or durability, allowing them to remain approximately 3 grams each. These 5.2mm spokes are the most aerodynamic of their kind available.
What makes our spokes special is that unlike bonded carbon fiber spokes, these are replaceable just like traditional steel spokes. Using a more advanced design, Drive Helix CS spokes do not experience spoke twist, so they are always in the most aerodynamic orientation and do not lose spoke tension over time.
Surface Hubs
What makes the Surface hub unique is its star ratchet freehub mechanism, which has been tried and tested for years on our MTB and TT wheelsets. Just like all of our other designs, the Surface hub is made by us using 5-axis CNC machines. High-grade precision S&S ceramic bearings were chosen to improve their lifespan and reduce rolling resistance, saving you precious watts. While having high quality bearings is important, a perfect bearing seat fit is essential for optimal performance. Our CNC machines precisely machine bearing seats to 0.02mm tolerances, guaranteeing exceptionally low rolling resistance and improving longevity.
Aerodynamic Testing
At Elitewheels, we see value in ensuring what we offer performs rather than just looking good on paper. In addition to the 20+ laboratory test at our factory, we also employ CFD testing as well as real world testing by our pro teams and riders.
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) allows us to aerodynamically optimize wheelsets before even producing the first prototype. During the design phase, we conduct a series of advanced computer simulations that take hundreds of hours each. After our engineering team is satisfied, we are ready for stress testing in our lab.
Once the development of our wheels is finished, we not only test the wheels out ourselves, but we also send them to professional cyclists. We are working with our sponsored UCI continental pro teams and riders, getting their feedback. Their experience riding hundreds of thousands of kilometers each with a large number of wheelsets gives us a unique perspective.
