Hub and particularly tandem hub fanatics will know all about Edco’s reputation for smooth, Swiss-built hubs, but its complete wheelsets are new to the UK. Thanks to a shared distribution deal with Continental each Edco wheelset will come with Grand Prix 4000s tyres and tubes. If you’re into smooth reliability using conventional quick release axles and inner tubes, they are definite contenders.
- Highs: Smooth, distance friendly, Shimano and Campag compatible
- Lows: Relatively heavy, fixed QR axles, non tubeless
The 35mm depth and 24.5mm inner width create a neutral handling wheelset with a whiff of aerodynamic advantage but none of the gusty downsides of a deeper wheelset. The six-bolt disc brake attachment means no worries about carbon rim braking issues in the wet either. The rim does still have Edco’s CTg braking surface on if you want a wheel that you can run with discs or conventional brakes. The MultiSys cassette body uses a cunning Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo compatible spline pattern too, so in some ways it’s very versatile.
Given the likely explosion of thru-axle bike designs (especially on disc brake bikes) in the next few years it’s disappointing that it’s fixed in QR skewer format. The rims aren’t tubeless compatible, which is a shame as otherwise the broad width makes them suitable for fatter tyres and cyclocross/gravel road use where tubeless running has real advantages. At 750g for the front wheel and 910g for the rear (1660g overall) it’s relatively heavy too and takes more effort to get turning than you might expect from a relatively shallow carbon wheel. Drive pick-up is average too.
Once you get them turning, the sustained glide of the precisely aligned SKF bearings gives a palpable performance boost on flat and rolling roads. There’s a reassuring solidity and surefootedness to the stiff 28 Sapim spoke build and the precisely obedient rim dynamics. While several months of road and CX use have given nothing but silky smooth results all hub components are warrantied for two years and there’s an eight-year warranty on the actual hub bodies. Add the top quality tyres and it’s a well-priced package for the level of quality.
