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Nepest NOVA I carried out in-house QC exams and in contrast them to a few of the hottest Chinese language highway bike wheels to seek out out.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Nepest NOVA wheels pleasantly stunned me with extras just like the wheel bag, spare spokes, and 3-year guarantee. They scored excessive in my in-house exams and didn’t let me down on the highway. They’re steady in crosswinds, stiff, and fairly comfy contemplating they’ve carbon spokes. Proceed studying for more information, or purchase them right here.
My NOVA wheels scoring at a look:Crosswind Stability 5/5 | Stiffness 5/5 | Driving Consolation 4/5 | Velocity Upkeep 4/5 | Tire On 3/5 | Trueness 4/5 | Spoke Rigidity 5/5 | Dishing 5/5 | Worth 3/5 | OVERALL 4.2/5More about this highway wheels scoring.
Nepest NOVA: Principal Options and Specs
Listed below are the primary options and specs of the Nepest NOVA 45/55 wheels, marked ‘X’ on the Nepest web site.
Principal Options
Light-weight, stiff, responsive
Nicely constructed and assembled
Steady in crosswinds
Patented hub flange design to enhance security
Tubeless rim tape is included however not put in
Tubeless valves are included
A wheel bag included
Obtainable in a number of designs and rim depths
4 spare spokes included
3-year guarantee
Technical Specification
Kind: Clincher (tubeless-ready), hooked
Weight (with out tubeless rim tape):
Entrance Wheel: 567g
Rear Wheel: 691g
Measured weight: 1258g
Claimed weight: 1265g (±5%)
Measured rim width:
Inside: 23.4mm
Exterior: 29.6mm
Rim depth: 45mm (entrance), 50mm (rear)
Spokes: 3.2mm broad Vonoa carbon spokes with hidden nipples
Hubs: 36T ratchet, Cema ceramic bearings
Enclosed flanges: Partially*
Rider’s weight restrict: 275lbs (125kg)
*Nepest NOVA wheels use patented flanges that stop spokes from sliding off the hub in case of a spoke failure.
First Impressions and Unboxing
The NOVA wheels had been delivered in a brilliant inexperienced field. However what stunned me probably the most was the wheel bag they had been packed in. Having such a high quality wheel bag within the field just isn’t commonplace amongst Chinese language wheels, so I respect it, and I’m certain I’ll put it to good use. Along with the wheels and wheel bag, the field additionally contained an instruction guide, a device for hidden nipples, 4 spare spokes, tubeless valves, and rim tape.
Sadly, the rim tape was not put in. I strongly consider that mid-range to premium tubeless wheels ought to have the tape put in. Nepest might go the additional mile and apply the tape to make it extra handy for us, clients. Moreover, most rivals have already got the tape put in. By the way in which, the rim bead has a pleasant construction (see the picture beneath) and the spoke holes are off-center, alternating left and proper, for higher spoke alignment.
In-Home Exams
As all the time with highway bike carbon wheels, I concluded the next exams earlier than I began utilizing the wheels:
These exams present a greater understanding of the wheel’s meeting high quality. So, did the NOVA wheels go them?
Lateral and Radial Trueness
The lateral and radial trueness was nearly excellent. Solely the entrance wheel had a deviation of lower than ~0.3mm in a single place. Nonetheless, this was among the finest outcomes I’ve ever measured.
Spoke Rigidity
The spoke pressure was additionally nice, exhibiting a excessive stage of consistency. No spoke was off by greater than 5% of the typical. Just like the DRIVE II and HYPER 5 wheels, this was among the finest outcomes I recorded.
Rim Centering (Dishing)
The hub was not completely centered, however it was ok to attain extremely. There was a slight hole between the top cap and the dishing device pin. See the next photographs.
A Look Inside
I additionally took a number of photographs from contained in the rim. I encountered a number of locations with epoxy remnants. Under, you possibly can see particulars of the spoke nipple and the outer wall of the rim.
The Issue of Placing the Tire On and Off
Nepest NOVA wheels are hooked. I all the time use Tufo Comtura 4 TR 28 mm tires to get constant outcomes when mounting and seating them. It was fairly difficult to get the tires on, and I wanted tire levers. So, I hoped that seating them with a flooring pump could be straightforward. However it was not, at the very least not with the entrance wheel. However one way or the other, I managed to seat the tire on my second strive after I succeeded with the rear wheel that popped on rims after a number of presses of the pump.
Driving Expertise
Contemplating the specs, I anticipated related using traits to these of wheels just like the Lún HYPER 5, Elitewheels DRIVE II, and related. And I used to be proper. The variations between them are so marginal that I in all probability wouldn’t be capable of inform them aside in a blind take a look at. So, how do they really feel to trip?
The using consolation is fairly good. This might be attributed to NOVA wheels having narrower flanges and hidden nipples, which make the carbon spokes longer and barely extra compliant. In concept, this could marginally enhance using consolation.
The wheels additionally really feel quick, and I just like the mullet setup, a mix of 45mm deep wheels for added stability within the entrance and 55mm within the rear. Whereas there are numerous opinions on whether or not reverse mullet is quicker, for me, at the very least visually, this feature is best.
Not like the Lún HYPER 5, NOVA use metal, 32T ratchets. Their hub sound is fairly quiet, however nice. I’ve not skilled any points with it but, and I’ve tried it at low cadence and high-power effort.
You may need seen that the flanges are open. Not too long ago, there was plenty of dialogue in regards to the security of open-flange designs as a result of there’s a threat that a number of spokes can detach throughout a crash, doubtlessly resulting in all spokes detaching from the hub. Nepest makes use of Vonoa spokes with titanium T-heads with patented hub flange expertise that retains them in place. The hub flange opening is a bit narrower, stopping spoke slippage.
Under, you possibly can see a number of extra photos of the Nepest hub flanges.
My 28mm Tufo Comtura 4 TR tires inflate to round 30-31mm, relying on the rim width. The inner width of the NOVA wheels is 23.4mm, so the tires inflate to 31.3mm. The tire-rim transition is kind of easy. I really feel a bit extra assured when cornering as a result of bigger contact floor.
I discover the crosswind stability of the NOVA wheels to be nice. Discover they’ve slimmer spokes (3.2mm) than the DRIVE II (4.5mm) and HYPER 5 (5mm) wheels. This possible ends in barely worse numbers in a wind tunnel, however we’re speaking marginal variations right here.
Nepest NOVA Options
There are a number of options to the Nepest NOVA. I need to spotlight the Farsports S, Lún HYPER 5, and Elitewheels DRIVE II. The desk beneath shows all of the wheels I examined, together with their scores.
Reviewed WheelsetAverageScoreCrosswind StabilityStiffness & ResponsivityRiding ComfortSpeed maintenanceTire On¹Lateral andRadial TruenessSpoke TensionRim CenteringPriceRim depthWeight (F | R | Pair)Rim Width (I | E) Notice Purchase
Nepest NOVA4.155443554245/55mm567g, 691g, 1258g23.4mm29.6mmStiff, steady, and responsive, however could be too stiff for tough roads.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 8% OFF
Elitewheels DRIVE II4.255443455350mm602g, 720g, 1322g23.2mm30.7mmStiff, steady, and responsive, however could be too stiff for tough roads.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 15% OFF
YOELEO NxT SL2 C604.244553455360mm623g, 736g, 1359g23.3mm31.1mmGreat stability between pace, using consolation, and stability.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 10% OFF
Farsports C54.254543554350mm602g, 726g, 1328g24.2mm30.4mmGreat stability between stiffness, using consolation, and stability.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 30 USD OFF
Up-Vine Professional+4.255452555250mm661g, 768g, 1429g23.5mm29.1mmGreat stability between stiffness, using consolation, and stability.Test Worth
Lún HYPER 34.155353555246/54mm598g, 766g, 1364g23.2mm28.6mmBetter crosswind stability and luxury than HYPER 2023, however a lot larger worth and no butterfly-weave end.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 10% OFF
Elitewheels ENT3.842443444550mm828g, 950g, 1778g20.0mm28.4mmHeavy and smooth however comfy and good on flats and regular efforts.Test Worth
Elitewheels EDGE3.843433354550mm633g, 720g, 1353g21.2mm28.9mmComfortable, light-weight however comparatively smooth in comparison with carbon-spoked wheels.Test Worth
Lún MEGA4.155255554146/54mm616g, 782g, 1398g20.8mm28.1mmThe stiffest wheels I examined. Superb for easy roads or racing, however they don’t seem to be comfy.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 10% OFF
Lún HYPER SE 20234.345355554346/54mm654g, 803g, 1457g21.3mm27.9mmBetter than HYPER 2020 in all elements. I consider they supply higher worth for cash than HYPER 23.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 10% OFF
Superteam All-Carbon Extremely 20234.644555555350mm633g, 769g, 1402g21.3mm28.7mmNot overly stiff, however responsive. Steady in crosswinds and ultimate for many terrains, questionable reliability.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 5% OFF
Farsports Wave4.253455543445/50mm736g, 880g, 1616g21.0mm28.7mmAffordable, easy-to-service, unique-looking wheels appropriate for studios and regular efforts.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB50 to get 50 USD OFF
Trifox WT113.842545433450mm769g, 874g, 1643g18.4mm25.1mmAffordable and comfy, however not nicely assembled.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 8 % OFF
YOELEO C50|50 SAT DB PRO 20224.143444545450mm705g, 830g, 1535g18.5mm25.5mmAffordable and easy-to-service wheels appropriate for studios and regular efforts however with too loud hubs.Test Worth
Farsports Ventoux S4.055453444245mm637g, 755g, 1392g19.2mm25.5mmStiff, responsive, and premium wheels appropriate for many terrains.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 30 USD OFF
Elitewheels DRIVE 45mm Disc4.055343445345mm562g, 718g, 1280g21.4mm28.8mmStiff, responsive, and light-weight wheels appropriate for hilly and mountainous terrain. Not too quick on flats.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB to get 15% OFF
Lún HYPER 50mm4.035355444350mm650g, 779g, 1429g19mm26mmStiff, responsive, and light-weight wheels appropriate for hilly and mountainous terrain. Not too steady in crosswinds.Test PriceUse code CYCLISTSHUB10 to get 10% OFF
YOELEO C50|50 SAT DB PRO4.343454555450mm705g, 830g, 1535g18.5mm25.5mmAffordable and easy-to-service wheels appropriate for studios and regular efforts.Test Worth
My scoring of the Chinese language carbon highway bike wheels with a observe and different technical particulars.The size for every function is 1-5 factors, the place 5 is the very best. The ranking may be retrospectively adjusted primarily based on the comparability with different wheelsets (extra about this scoring).SCROLL HORIZONTALLY FOR MORE INFO.¹How troublesome it’s to place a Tufo Comtura 4 TR 28mm tubeless tire on and correctly seat it.
When you favor consolation over stiffness, I like to recommend selecting steel-spoked wheels, such because the YOELEO NxT SL2 or Farsports C sequence. They provide related specs, however are barely extra comfy.
My Verdict
Nepest NOVA supply a fantastic stability between stiffness, trip consolation, stability, and pace upkeep. They really feel mainly the identical as different well-liked Chinese language carbon wheels, resembling Lún HYPER 5 or Elitewheels DRIVE II, however add a number of additional options, resembling a patented open hub flange design for elevated security, hidden nipples, or a wheel bag, a number of spare spokes, and a spoke adjustment device within the packing.
The worth is akin to that of different higher-end carbon-spoke wheelsets, so the selection finally comes right down to your design and model preferences.
I hope you discover this assessment useful. When you resolve to purchase them, please think about using the low cost code beneath. It’s one of the best ways to avoid wasting on wheels and assist me. Thanks very a lot prematurely!
Nepest NOVA FAQ
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The product for this assessment was kindly offered by the producer. This didn’t affect my total verdict or my opinion in regards to the product. You possibly can study extra about how I method critiques right here.
