Cadex has launched its first gravel wheelset and accompanying all-road tyres for riding fast on rugged tracks and rough tarmac. The Cadex AR 35 disc WheelSystem weighs a claimed 1,270g and Cadex says it delivers greater rigidity than rival wheelsets.
Cadex claims the AR 35 hookless carbon rims are 82g lighter than Zipp 303 Firecrests and are as strong as cross-country mountain bike wheels.
The front wheel costs £1,099 / $1,400 / AU$1,800 / €1,250 and the rear comes in at £1,399 / $1,600 / AU$2,320 / €1,500. The wheels are available with Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo freehubs.
The 25mm-wide inner rim is compatible with tubeless road tyres sized from 28c all the way up to 45mm-wide gravel tyres.
The Giant-owned brand, which is better known for its road bike wheels, also claims the wheelset has unrivalled stiffness for its weight.
According to Cadex, this quality improves power transfer, wasting fewer watts, and ups stability and control in corners.
The Cadex R2-C60 hub has ceramic bearings and an R-Drive 60-tooth ratchet freehub with a flat spring and integrated-axle front hub.
We have the wheels at the BikeRadar office and weighed the front at 608g and rear at 760g. These weights include tubeless tape and valves, for a total working wheelset weight of 1,368g.
New Cadex gravel tyres
Cadex says its AR tubeless tyre is cut out for high-speed riding on paved and dirt roads, while the GX is for forays on to gravel, sand, light mud and firm tracks.
They both come in 700x40c and cost £59.99 / $85 / AU$129.95 / €67.50. The AR weighs 425g and the GX 445g, according to Cadex.
The company recommends the same maximum pressure of 60psi and minimum of 25psi for the two models.
The racier AR tubeless has a smooth-looking centre tread, which consists of diamond-shaped knobs. Taller side knobs are interspersed with smaller intermediate knobs.
By contrast, the more aggressive tread on the GX tubeless comprises short centre knobs and larger side knobs.
Both have 170 TPI casing, which is supposed to offer a comfortable ride, while reducing tyre weight.
The tyre features dual-compound rubber and a double layer of puncture protection, according to Cadex.
Cadex says it will add a composite handlebar to the range in late-2022.
