I did a lot of research before buying these wheels. From $900 Chinese wheels to $4400 Scopes, I went through the entire gamut. Getting a pro wheelset for this price seemed to good to be true. If they're good enough for Wout and Jonas, they're more than enough for me.
The wheels feel great. Very responsive. I paired Vittoria Pro Corsa 29 mm Wide Rim tires with them (I'd have love to have gotten Conti GP5000 STRs, but I just didn't know if I should as the rims are 25.4 mm internal, and most tires say they're rated for 25 mm internal. Probably would have been fine, but didn't care to risk it). Very comfortable ride. Noticeable enough difference from 2019 Zipp 303 NSW with 28 mm Specialized Turbos.
Can't really speak to the speed difference because I finally got a Wahoo trainer and actually kept/improved my fitness over the winter. I like to think that they feel faster though!
Easy to set up tubeless with the included Fillmore valves.
Would recommend.
So, the CADEX Max 40 came on my new Giant TCR Advanced SL 0. The bike comes at a premium and it is equipped with premium wheels. At 1250 grams for the set, their presance is notable. The carbon spokes give immediate windup and power transmission to the ground while still having great compliance over less than perfect roads. The MAX 40 rims are incredibly stable in a cross wind. The hubs are crisp to engage and come stock with ceramic bearings that roll for days. The only potential downside is the loud free hub, it sounds amazing, just loud.
While not cheap by any means, these wheels offer insane value compared to the competition. Sure the new Enve G series is wider and deeper, but they're nearly TWICE the price! The Zipp XPLR wheels are wider and deeper, but a lot heavier and also more expensive. I paid $1440 for these, and I truely don't think there's another wheelset on the market at a similar price that can match the specs of these wheels AND offer a lifetime warranty and full crash replacement AND come with super reliable, bomb proof hubs. My set weighed slightly less than advertised too at 1440g (w/o valves, but with tape).
Only niggle is that the spokes on my rear wheel made a lot of noise during hard, steep efforts on my first couple rides. I put some lube at each of the spoke junctions and this seemed to solve the problem.
I've had a couple of Mavic Ksyrium wheel sets in the past but it's been a few years. They're lightweight and sturdy and, as an alloy wheel, the braking is good with rim brakes. It may be that I'm more aware now, but it seems that the quality has slipped. I'm specifically referring to the weld where the rim is joined. It's not very refined. The edge of the rim is not even in that area, it flares up a bit, and the weld is hidden with tape in the channel and a sticker on the spoke side. I purchased them at a good price so I suppose I can't be too picky, but I was a little disappointed to see that. Even so, they should work fine and I expect them to be durable. I bought them for a specific purpose and I'll be using them.
