Elitewheels Drive 36D II Wheelset

Name: Elitewheels Drive 36D II Wheelset
SKU: EW-DII-36
Price: 1363.0 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock

$1,363.00 USD $1,579.00 USD

The Elitewheels Drive 36D II is a lightweight carbon spoke disc brake road wheelset designed for climbing, fast bunch rides and all-round performance, offering premium features such as ceramic bearings, wide hooked tubeless rims and a 1260g claimed weight at a strong value compared with many high-end carbon road wheels.

Drive 36D II Features

Lightweight 1260g claimed wheelset weight for climbing and acceleration
36mm carbon rim depth for balanced aero speed and crosswind stability
23mm internal / 31mm external rim profile optimised for modern 28–30mm road tyres
Carbon spokes and Kinetic ratchet hubs for fast, direct power transfer
UCI approved and CE certified for race-ready confidence

Pedal Passion is an authorised Elitewheels dealer, providing local service, support, and warranty for complete peace of mind.

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Product Name: Elitewheels Drive 36D II Disc Brake Carbon Spoke Road Wheelset
Wheel Size: 700C
Intended Use: Road cycling, climbing, endurance road, racing and fast group rides
Rim Material: Carbon fibre
Rim Finish: Glossy Marbling Black
Rim Depth: 36mm
Rim Inner Width: 23mm
Rim Outer Width: 31mm
Rim Type: Hooked clincher / tubeless-ready
Tyre Compatibility: Clincher and tubeless
Recommended Tyre Width: 700 x 28–30C
Compatible Tyre Width: 700 x 28–45C
Brake Compatibility: Disc brake
Rotor Interface: Centrelock by default
Hub: Elitewheels Kinetic hub
Freehub Type: Ratchet
Freehub Compatibility: Shimano HG and SRAM XDR options
Bearings: S&S ceramic bearings
Front Hub Spacing: 12x100mm thru axle
Rear Hub Spacing: 12x142mm thru axle
Spoke Type: 4.5mm carbon spokes
Spoke Count: 21 front / 24 rear
Front Spoke Pattern: 3-cross / radial, 2:1 pattern
Rear Spoke Pattern: 1-cross / 3-cross, 1:2 pattern
Nipples: Alloy Secure Lock nipples
Claimed Weight: 1260g ±30g per pair, excluding rim tape and tubeless valves
Rider Weight Limit: 120kg
Certification: UCI approved and CE certified
Included Extras: Installed rim tape, installed tubeless valves and 4 spare spokes
Compatible Bike Type: Road bikes, lightweight race bikes, endurance road bikes and disc brake performance bikes

Lightweight Carbon Rim Platform

The Drive 36D II is built around a 36mm deep carbon rim that gives riders a strong balance between low weight, climbing response and aerodynamic efficiency. It is deep enough to offer meaningful speed benefits on flat and rolling roads, while remaining shallow enough to handle confidently in gusty conditions.

Wide Modern Road Rim Profile

The 23mm internal and 31mm external rim dimensions are designed for today’s wider road tyres, especially 28mm and 30mm setups. This helps create a more stable tyre shape, improving comfort, cornering grip and rolling efficiency on rough Australian roads.

Hooked Tubeless-Ready Design

Unlike many modern hookless rims, the Drive 36D II uses a hooked rim design. This gives riders broader tyre compatibility and added security while still supporting tubeless setups for lower pressure, improved comfort and better puncture sealing.

Carbon Spoke Construction

The 4.5mm carbon spokes are designed to increase lateral stiffness and responsiveness while keeping weight low. Compared with standard steel spokes, carbon spokes can make the wheel feel more direct during climbing, sprinting and hard accelerations.

Kinetic Ratchet Hub

The Kinetic hub uses a ratchet-style engagement system designed for reliable power transfer and durability. The conical ratchet design increases engagement surface area, helping distribute pedalling forces more effectively.

S&S Ceramic Bearings

Ceramic bearings help reduce rolling friction and improve smoothness, especially when maintained correctly. For riders chasing marginal gains, smoother hubs can contribute to a more efficient and refined ride feel.

Aero and Real-World Testing

The second-generation Drive wheels have been developed with CFD simulation, wind tunnel testing and real-world rider feedback. The U/V-shaped rim profile is designed to improve lateral airflow and stability at speed.

Wheel Dimensions

Wheel Size: 700C
Rim Depth: 36mm
Internal Rim Width: 23mm
External Rim Width: 31mm
Front Axle: 12x100mm thru axle
Rear Axle: 12x142mm thru axle
Rotor Mount: Centrelock
Tyre Compatibility: 28–45C
Recommended Tyre Range: 28–30C

Tyre Fit Recommendations

28mm tyres

Best for fast road riding, racing and bunch rides
Strong aerodynamic match with the 31mm external rim width
Ideal for riders prioritising speed and efficiency

30mm tyres

Excellent all-round choice for Brisbane and Queensland roads
More comfort and grip on rough chip seal
Still fast enough for performance road riding

32mm–35mm tyres

Better for endurance road riding and rougher surfaces
More vibration reduction and cornering confidence

38mm–45mm tyres

Suitable only where frame clearance allows
Best for light all-road use rather than pure race setups

The Elitewheels Drive 36D II is ideal for riders who want a lightweight, responsive carbon wheelset that performs well across climbing, endurance rides and fast road cycling.

Best Suited For

Road cyclists upgrading from alloy wheels
Riders wanting a lightweight climbing wheelset
Fast bunch ride cyclists
Gran Fondo and endurance riders
Competitive club riders
Riders building a custom road bike with Shimano or SRAM drivetrains
Brisbane cyclists wanting a high-value carbon wheel upgrade

Product Care

Check tyre pressure before every ride.
Use compatible tubeless tyres and quality sealant if running tubeless.
Do not exceed tyre or rim pressure limits.
Refresh tubeless sealant every few months, especially in hot Queensland conditions.
Inspect carbon rims after pothole strikes, crashes or hard impacts.
Keep disc rotors clean and free from oil, grease and sealant.
Avoid pressure washing directly at hub bearings and seals.
Check spoke tension and wheel trueness during regular servicing.
Inspect carbon spokes for impact damage or unusual marks.
Service hub bearings and freehub mechanism if roughness, play or noise develops.
Use a torque wrench when fitting Centrelock rotors and cassette components.

Warranty Information

Warranty coverage is subject to Elitewheels manufacturer terms and conditions.
Warranty generally applies to defects in materials and workmanship.
Normal wear, impact damage, crashes, incorrect installation, over-inflation, poor tubeless setup, bearing contamination and misuse are generally not covered.
Professional installation is recommended for cassette fitting, rotor installation, tubeless setup and spoke inspection.
Regular wheel servicing helps maintain bearing smoothness, spoke tension and long-term wheel performance.

PEZ Cycling News reviewed the Elitewheels Drive 36D II in 2026 and positioned it as a strong performance wheelset for riders wanting low weight, carbon spoke responsiveness and high-end wheel technology without the pricing usually attached to flagship European wheel brands.

The review highlighted the Drive 36D II’s climbing-friendly weight, quick acceleration, responsive road feel and strong value proposition. The carbon spoke construction and ceramic bearing hub system were also noted as key performance features that make the wheelset feel more premium than its price category suggests.

Rider Feedback & Community Sentiment

Rider sentiment around the Drive 36D II is generally positive, particularly among cyclists looking for a lightweight carbon wheelset that feels fast on climbs and rolling terrain.

Common positive rider comments include:

Very light and responsive under acceleration
Strong climbing performance
Smooth rolling hub feel
Noticeably stiff under power
Comfortable with 28mm or 30mm tyres
Good value compared with premium carbon wheel brands
Attractive finish and clean modern appearance
Practical tubeless-ready setup with rim tape and valves included

Some riders may prefer deeper rims for flat-out aero racing, but for riders wanting a lower-weight all-round wheelset, the 36D II is a very appealing option.

Why We Love It at Pedal Passion

We love the Elitewheels Drive 36D II because it delivers the kind of upgrade riders notice straight away. The bike feels lighter when climbing, sharper when accelerating and smoother when paired with modern tubeless tyres.

Zipp 303 S

More established global brand recognition
Hookless tubeless rim design
Slightly heavier than the Drive 36D II
Strong all-road and endurance performance

Zipp 353 NSW

Premium lightweight climbing wheelset
Much higher price point
Advanced hub and rim technology
Better for riders chasing flagship-level performance

Roval Alpinist CL II

Lightweight climbing-focused carbon wheelset
Strong brand support through Specialized dealers
Generally higher pricing
More traditional spoke construction

Hunt 36 Carbon Disc

Similar lightweight road wheel category
Strong value focus
Typically heavier depending on model
Popular direct-to-consumer alternative

Winspace Hyper 3 33

Lightweight carbon spoke competitor
Strong performance reputation
Similar appeal for riders chasing value and low weight
Often cross-shopped with Elitewheels Drive

Farsports Feder 35 / 40

Lightweight carbon wheel options
Custom build flexibility
Similar direct-brand value positioning
Less mainstream local support

Where the Elitewheels Drive 36D II Stands Out

Very low 1260g claimed wheelset weight
Carbon spokes at a competitive price
S&S ceramic bearings
Hooked tubeless-ready rim design
Modern 23mm internal / 31mm external width
UCI approved and CE certified
Excellent value for a lightweight carbon climbing wheelset

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