RIMS
Marvel II wheelsets feature wider, 23mm inner widths and 31mm outer widths, making them aerodynamically optimized for 28c and 30c tires. Wider tires allow for a more comfortable ride, as they can be run at lower pressures. The wider inner rim width gives wider tires a better shape, improving grip and comfort, while the 31mm external widths improve the overall aerodynamics when paired with 28mm or 30mm tires, which are now the norm in road cycling.
What makes our clincher, tubeless-ready rims unique is that we use a reduced hook design. We see the benefits and drawbacks of standard hooked as well as hookless rims and have found a way to offer the best of both worlds. Our ETRTO-compliant reduced hooks allow for the aerodynamic, durability, and optimal tire shape that hookless rims provide with the security, tire compatibility, and ability to run higher pressures that a clincher can offer.
SPOKES
The key to the weight reduction of Marvel II lies in the adoption of Alpina spokes, produced by the century-old Italian company Alpina Raggi. We are using Alpina Ultralight Aero steel spokes, which provide a significant weight savings over the last generation of Marvel wheels. They are some of the lightest racing spokes available, while offering added benefits such as excellent durability, longevity, and improved aerodynamics.
HUB
The Marvel 36D II uses our Motion hub, which features pawls-ratchet freehub mechanism, that has been tried and tested by our sponsored UCI pro cycling teams in World Tour races like the UAE Tour. It offers low rolling resistance and excellent longevity.
Just like all of our other designs, the Motion 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.
TESTING
At Elitewheels, we see value in ensuring what we offer not only performs well but has excellent durability and longevity. Each wheelset undergoes more than 20+ laboratory tests at our factory including various durability, longevity, and stiffness tests. We also ensure each wheel passes the UCI Vertical Impact Test, which gives the green light for wheels to be used at the top levels of professional racing.
Besides the laboratory tests, we put a strong emphasis on aerodynamic and real world testing. Our engineers run CFD (Computational Fluid Dyamics) programs for hundreds of hours during the design phase to aerodynamically optimize wheelsets before even producing the first prototype. After our engineering team is satisfied and the prototype is ready, we will collaborate with our sponsored UCI ProTeams for rigorous testing, getting as much feedback as possible. The pro riders offer a unique perspective due to their hundreds of thousands of kilometers of riding experience with a large number of wheelsets.