The CADEX Ultra WheelSystem

I have no doubt that the CADEX Ultra WheelSystem was heavily influenced in its development by the needs of their UCI WorldTour sponsored team, Team Jayco Alula Pro Cycling. We’ve found that CADEX products tend to go hand in hand with long course cycling and triathlon, though we’re seeing it pop up more and more in short course triathlon. As a general rule, CADEX products are of a premium quality — and yes, price that goes with it. If you’re looking for super speedy racing equipment or just a superior product for your everyday bike, CADEX has it, and I’ve been nothing but impressed by their line-up.

The Ultra 50’s have been out since 2022. This last summer, CADEX quietly added the new Ultra 40’s to bring a new depth to the line. The 50’s have been field tested internaly tested against the best wheels in the marketplace and have been proven to be superior at the time in most categories — at least, according to CADEX’s own internal data. But with the demands of a pro tour team and short course triathlon really ramping up, it makes sense that CADEX would add a shallower depth wheel to trickle the 50’s technology down to.

#Overachieve is the hashtag slogan you will see as soon as you get to the inner box of CADEX packaging. The feeling that you are opening an Apple-esque product never leaves my thoughts every time I get to that point. Every detail of the packaging alone is well thought out and the delivery is always impressive. While some of the products themselves may be 100% overkill for some consumers, CADEX doesn’t have a desire to be a company for everyone. Instead, this sub-brand within Giant is designed to be the pinnacle of performance for the company and the categories it competes in.

CADEX Ultra 40 vs Ultra 50 — Full Specifications Comparison

What’s Been Updated

Two things stand out as main changes. External width got ever so slightly narrower, going from 30mm to 28mm. CADEX also used the newer CADEX R3-C48 hub in the rear, which is a 48-tooth ratchet engagement. Meanwhile, up front, you’ll find a CADEX R3-C Aero Hub. According to CADEX, this has enabled the rider to have higher engagement across a wider yaw angle. In other words, assuming that this wheel is going to be used in more of an attack mode, it gives that rider less delay in response when delivering power to pavement.

Generally speaking, other hookless road systems seem to be staying with the 23-25mm internal rim widths while CADEX sticks to the 22.4mm for all of their road products. Between that and the 3.8mm hookless bead width, this is probably why they are able to comfortably allow for 25mm CADEX tires and at much higher pressures than the generic ETRTO 72.5 PSI / 5 bar standard. Yes, you can go ahead and pump higher than 72.5 PSI on most CADEX tire and wheel combinations.

The Ultra Line complements the 42/65 Gold Signature Edition wheels that bear the name of the one and only Kristian Blummenfelt. It’s that wheel combination that won gold in Tokyo.

The Ultra 50 rear and 40 front, meanwhile, could be the next wheel set ready for a signature edition, say for someone like Beth Potter. On the consumer level, it can serve as a great option for someone not really ready for super deep wheel set, or simply looking for an all-around aero wheel.

What I Have Ridden

I have put a couple of hundred miles on these new wheels. Like all CADEX products I’ve tested, I have found them to be just a nice as they claim to be. The only thing I would like to see is an upgrade on the 50 rear hub to match that of the 40. That newer CADEX R3-C48 Aero Hub does provide more engagement for the buck.

We all sort of know the buzz around tires these days and with hookless and hookless tires matter a lot, for everything from sidewall bead seal to comfort, performance and all other things like puncture resistance and control. Since the last time we wrote about CADEX BRR (Bicycle Rolling Resistance) have be able to do the the new Aero Cotton Tires and do “There things” so we compared them to the top leading tires we have seen in the Ironman PRO Transition area’s.

Tire Testing – Courtesy of Bicycle Rolling Resistance

Static Grip

Puncture Resistance

Rolling Resistance

Final Thoughts

The Ultra 40 and 50 are great, premium products. And when you pair them with the right tire combination while hookless, they’re comfortable and fast. My only beef, if you can call it that, is that if you live in the USA, good luck getting a pair of the Ultra 40’s any time within the next 3-4 months. With the limited product availability the US didnt didnt the first round of them ( sort of like the CADEX Tri Frame) Addition, due to all the different tariffs at the moment, pricing seems to be all over the place.

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