Wheeltop might not be on the radar of many cyclists, but the Chinese manufacturer has been supplying drivetrain components globally since the 1950s. It has grown to become a credible alternative to drivetrains from the main players in recent years.
It has also acquired a majority stake in the Spanish components brand Rotor, sharing its wireless technology for the electronic Rotor Uno groupset.
The brand has recently branched out into fully wireless electronic shifting with its EDS (Electronic Derailleur System) range.
The EDS series supports 3- to 14-speed drivetrains, enabling you to use it on bikes ranging from vintage racers to modern drop-bar builds.
In this article, we look at where Wheeltop has come from, its product range and where you can get your hands on it.
Wheeltop key facts
- Chinese challenger drivetrain brand
- Currently produces three electronic groupset platforms: road (TX), mountain (OX2.0) and gravel (GeX)
- Fully wireless shifting (Bluetooth, ANT+)
- Programmable system compatible from 3 to 14 speeds
- App-based indexing and configuration
- Broad compatibility with standard derailleur hangers
Wheeltop EDS TX
EDS TX is Wheeltop’s drop-bar road platform, designed to compete with mid-range electronic groupsets such as SRAM Apex AXS and Shimano 105 Di2.
It features carbon fibre construction for the derailleur and brake levers, giving it a more premium appearance than its competitors.
Wheeltop says the system delivers up to 20,000 shifts per charge and can withstand up to 800 recharge cycles.
Unlike its rivals, it works with 3- to 14-speed cassettes, with a minimum 10t sprocket and a maximum of 36t.
The shifters are claimed to weigh in at 202g (+/- 5g) / 223g (+/- 5g) for the left one, and the right one at 214g (+/- 5g) / 223g (+/- 5g), with the heavier weights being the hydraulic variant.
The rear derailleur is said to weigh 336g (+/- 5g) and the front derailleur 191g (+/- 5g).
Keeping things trendy, the brand has also revealed an oversized wheel pulley for the TX to reduce drag, which uses a 12t guide wheel and 18t tension wheel. Both have ceramic bearings.
Key specs and features
- £767 / $879 / €879
- Fully wireless electronic shifting
- Compatible with 3- to 14-speed rear cassettes
- Supports 1x and 2x setups (front derailleur optional), rear derailleur with ~800mAh rechargeable battery (USB-C)
- Coin-cell batteries in shifters
- Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity
- IP67-rated derailleur
- App-based micro-adjustment and firmware updates
- Available in mechanical (cable) or hydraulic brake versions
What’s included?
Depending on the configuration, the TX package typically includes:
- Rear derailleur
- Wireless shifters
- Optional front derailleur (for 2x builds)
- Hydraulic calipers and hoses or mechanical brake levers
- Charger and mounting hardware
1x or 2x?
You can run the TX as a 1x drivetrain (no front derailleur) or as a 2x setup with an electronic front derailleur.
Mechanical or hydraulic brakes?
Buyers can choose between cable-actuated brakes and full-hydraulic disc systems.
Which SRAM and Shimano groupsets does it compete with?
Wheeltop EDS OX2.0
The EDS OX2.0 is Wheeltop’s mountain bike groupset, and uses a similar derailleur to that found on the EDS GeX.
It uses a flar-bar shifter, which has buttons in an up and down configuration, similar to SRAM’s Pod shifter.
The rear derailleur features a built-in damper that is said to smooth shifts, reduce chain impact and extend the system's life.
It doesn’t come as a full groupset, with no brakes, cranks, chain or cassette, so it's more of a drivetrain upgrade similar to Shimano’s M6250 Deore Di2 shifting kit.
While there are no brakes included, Wheeltop has announced the release of its MA3000 brake calipers, which feature lever reach adjust and use four-piston calipers.
There are two lengths of derailleur available, 75mm and 93mm, with the first one having a maximum sprocket size of 46t and the latter 52t.
The weight for the shifter is claimed to be 70g (+/- 10g), with the derailleur said to weigh in at 368g (+/- 5g) for the 75mm and 400g (+/- 5g) for the 93mm.
Key specs and features
- £488 / $559 / €559
- Wireless electronic rear derailleur
- Flat-bar wireless shifter
- Compatible from 3- to 14-speed
- Cage options for different cassette sizes (up to large MTB sprockets)
- ~800mAh rechargeable battery (USB-C)
- Bluetooth/ANT+
- IP67 rating
- Works with standard derailleur hangers and UDH
What’s included?
The OX2.0 is a derailleur and shifter kit only.
It does not include:
- Crankset
- Cassette
- Chain
- Brakes
How does it compare to SRAM and Shimano?
EDS OX2.0 is comparable with Shimano’s M6250 Deore Di2 shifting kit, with both being electronic drivetrain upgrades rather than outright groupsets.
SRAM’s S-1000 wireless groupset is also comparable, although arguably more refined. However, it is also only available to OEMs.
Wheeltop EDS GeX
EDS GeX is positioned for gravel and all-road bikes, sitting between the road-focused TX and MTB-oriented OX2.0.
It features a similar derailleur design to EDS OX2.0, but uses the hydraulic drop-bar shifter from EDS TX.
Again, the EDS GeX doesn’t come as a full groupset and is more akin to an upgrade kit.
It has a wide range from 10t to 52t, making it a proper mullet drivetrain by our definition.
Like OX2.0, that 52t sprocket is achieved via a 93mm derailleur cage, although there is a smaller 75mm cage with a maximum range of 48t.
Wheeltop claims the derailleur weighs in at 368g (+/- 5g) for the 75mm and 400g (+/- 5g) for the 93mm.
The brake calipers are said to weigh 135g (+/- 5g) for the front and 170g (+/- 5g) for the rear, with the shifters weighing in at 238.4g for the left one and 240.5g for the right.
Key specs and features
- £697 / $799 / €799
- Fully wireless electronic shifting
- 3- to 14-speed compatibility
- Drop-bar shifters
- Long-cage options for wide-range gravel cassettes
- Hydraulic brake calipers included in many kits
- IP67-rated derailleur
- App-based setup and tuning
What’s included?
- Rear derailleur
- Wireless brake levers
- Hydraulic calipers and hoses
- Charger and mounting hardware
How does it compare to SRAM and Shimano?
EDS GeX compares to SRAM’s Apex XPLR AXS and Shimano’s GRX Di2 groupsets, which both incorporate elements from their road and mountain bike groupsets.
Where did Wheeltop come from?
Wheeltop traces its origins back to the early 1950s in China and has historically operated as an OEM drivetrain and component manufacturer, making parts for other brands.
In recent years, the brand has repositioned itself from background supplier to consumer-facing drivetrain challenger.
We first spotted Wheeltop in 2019 at Eurobike, where it teased it’s first EDS OX mountain bike drivetrain.
Since then, the brand has expanded its offering to appeal to a wider market.
What about cranksets?
This is a notable gap in the brand’s line-up, with Wheeltop not currently producing cranksets as part of its EDS platforms.
Because the derailleur is programmable for different speeds, compatibility depends largely on matching chain width and cassette choice rather than being locked to a single proprietary crank.
It means you can spec a crankset of any choice, although it’s likely you’ll already have one if you are upgrading.
Wheeltop warranty
Wheeltop’s warranty is determined by the delivery date, with claims typically handled through point of purchase, although the company offers an online option too.
All groupsets benefit from a limited manufacturer warranty, which covers manufacturing defects, although it excludes wear-and-tear items and misuse.
It’s important to note that warranty specifics will differ depending on whether you buy direct or through a third-party retailer.
If you are in the EU, you can enjoy the warranty for two years from the day the package is delivered, while it's limited to one year in other markets.
Where can I buy Wheeltop groupsets?
Wheeltop groupsets aren’t usually found in the shops, so if you want to try this new challenger brand you’ll need to buy online.
The brand offers direct purchases on its website, and these will come with a full warranty.
While you may see Wheeltop available via AliExpress, make sure you verify it as a serious vender before parting with your money, because counterfeit goods are common place.
Wheeltop and Rotor partnership
Wheeptop and Rotor began their partnership after Lanxi Wheeltop Cycle Industries LTD acquired a majority stake in Rotor.
Together, they worked on bringing Rotor’s wireless Uno groupset to the market, utilising Wheeltop’s wireless technology instead of the hydraulic system originally used on Uno.
The groupset is designed for mountain bikes and gravel bikes, and is priced from £599.47 for the MTB Upgrade Kit and £701.25 for the Gravel Upgrade Kit – each consisting of shifters and a derailleur.
Unlike Wheeltop’s groupsets, you can also buy Rotor’s Uno with cranks (including power-meter equipped variants) and a cassette.
