Bike tech is a fast-moving world the place the traces between efficiency, exclusivity, and pure extravagance blur extra every season. We’ve already normalized $18,000 race bikes, $4,600 groupsets, and energy meters that price as a lot as a whole entry-level construct. So when Cadex unveiled the Max 40—a $4,500 wheelset—was anybody actually that shocked?
That’s nonetheless a staggering value for 2 hoops. However right here’s the factor: the Max 40s aren’t simply one other high-end choice. They’re featherlight, brutally stiff, and designed to show heads as a lot as they end up watts. In case you’re procuring by grams per greenback, look elsewhere. If you need cutting-edge design with race-proven pace, exclusivity baked in, and a wheelset that feels unapologetically premium, the Max 40s ship. After months of hammering them in each situation I might discover, I’m caught in a bizarre spot: I really like these wheels, however my pockets positively doesn’t.
The Tech – Breaking Down the CADEX Max 40
Cadex is Large’s premium element model, their equal to Specialised’s Roval. Since its relaunch in 2019, Cadex has centered on producing stiff, aerodynamic, and impressively light-weight gear, typically examined underneath the Staff Jayco-Alula banner on the WorldTour. The Max 40 is their boldest play but.
Cadex calls the Max 40 their “final do-it-all wheelset,” hanging a stability between aerodynamics, weight, and management. At 1,249 g claimed (1,318 g precise with tape/valves), they’re darn gentle for a mid-depth aero wheel. Add a 48-tooth ratchet hub with ceramic bearings, carbon spokes bonded straight into the hub, and a 40 mm depth with 22.72 mm inside width, and also you’ve received the recipe for pace.
Sure, these bonded spokes imply if one breaks, you’re taking a look at a manufacturing facility restore, however they give the impression of being unimaginable and contribute to the stiffness. That is Cadex’s moonshot wheelset, and it exhibits.
Cadex Max 40 Specs at a Look
Weight: 1,249 g claimed / 1,318 g precise (w/tape & valves)
Worth: $4,500 ($2,000 entrance / $2,500 rear)
Hubs: 48t ratchet, ceramic bearings
Spokes: Cadex Tremendous Aero Carbon (16F / 24R)
Rim Depth: 40 mm
Inner Width: 22.72 mm
Exterior Rim Width: 28.26mm
Bead Width: 3.17mm
Max Strain: 72.5 PSI
Max Rider Weight: 285 lbs
Guarantee: Lifetime + 5-year incident alternative
Journey Impressions – The place They Shine
Let’s lower to the chase, as I’ve had these wheels for some time, and have ridden them in almost each scenario. From the primary time you pedal the bike on a climb, the Max 40s really feel stiff as hell. Each watt goes straight into the bottom, with no hesitation and no sponginess. Like a superb set of deep rims appears like an additional gear in a crit, the Cadex Max 40 appears like that on a climb. Such as you out of the blue have extra within the tank. These wheels are designed for sprinting up hill, regular climbing, and mashing. They reply immediately. In case you like a wheelset with some flex or compliance, this isn’t it. These wheels are unapologetically constructed for all-out responsiveness.
How does that work? I’m guessing the distinctive and really eye-catching bonded hub and spoke design helps. I’ve ridden almost each wheel that Cadex makes, and the Cadex Max 40 is by far the stiffest and lightest – however thats what they’re for. The construct is gorgeous, and considerably fleeting, as you possibly can’t actually service the wheels if you happen to break a spoke (however you possibly can true them barely). However if you happen to do handle to interrupt them, I’m guessing it was a giant crash, so that you may need extra to fret about.
Quick & Nimble
That 40 mm depth is the candy spot. Aero sufficient to chop via, shallow sufficient to keep away from crosswind sketchiness. To match them to one thing within the Cadex line, they don’t seem to be as planted in gusts as the Cadex Max 50 (reviewed right here), however they’re predictable and straightforward to belief, even on high-speed descents. Cornering is sharp and managed; you possibly can dive into switchbacks with out worrying about washout.
For a wheel this stiff, surprisingly, they’re not punishing. The 22.72 mm inside width works properly with 28mm hookless-compatible rubber (I examined Cadex Race GC tires), which takes some edge off. They’re not as plush as Enve’s SES 3.4s, however they’re comfy sufficient for large days. Over damaged pavement, you’ll really feel extra buzz than with a conventional spoked wheel, however that’s the tradeoff for stiffness and pace.
Descending
On the best way down, the Max 40s maintain pace frighteningly properly. The ceramic bearings preserve issues rolling easily, and the wheels monitor the place you level them. In large crosswinds, they’ll twitch, however they’re manageable. They’ve the stiffness that feels such as you truly achieve pace within the corners. There isn’t any flex once you push, the rim holds, and also you’re pumping out of a flip.
What Did You Say?
A minor concern price mentioning is the freehub; it’s fairly loud. I discovered this to be the identical on the Cadex Max 50s, but it surely may be even louder (one way or the other) on the Max 40s. No, it’s not the worst factor, but it surely reverberated via the rim sufficient to trigger some passing glances. The internals of the hubs are top-notch and have a mountain bike hub-like response. The 48t ratchet sings with a buzz that’s sharp and inconceivable to disregard. Personally, I cherished it; it’s like a built-in warning system on crowded metropolis paths.
The Tradeoffs
No wheelset this daring is with out quirks:
Weight Discrepancy – My pair was 69g heavier than the claimed weight. Cadex permits a ±5% tolerance, however at this value, I anticipated tighter tolerances.
Hookless Rim – Restricted tire compatibility. You’ll want to keep on with the authorized record, which eliminates many choices.
Non-Replaceable Spokes – Bonded carbon seems to be wild, however a single damaged spoke = manufacturing facility restore. Not perfect for heavy vacationers or big-milers.
Middle Lock Adapter – A hexagonal middle lock adapter piece is required to put in the rotor. It’s not a difficulty, only a carbon buffer, however if you happen to lose it, it may very well be.
Crosswinds – Manageable, however not as assured as others available on the market.
Worth – $4,500. You should buy nice, hand-built carbon merchandise for lower than half the worth. You’re paying for exclusivity as a lot as efficiency, and that Cadex carbon guarantee (it’s superb)
Verdict – Who Are The Cadex Max 40s For?
The Cadex Max 40s usually are not the wheels for everybody. They’re not value-driven, they’re not particularly forgiving, and so they demand a sure kind of rider—somebody who needs absolutely the leading edge, who likes the concept of using what the professionals race, and who doesn’t flinch at a premium price ticket.
However for that rider? These wheels are a dream. Insanely stiff, impressively gentle, and loaded with design touches you received’t discover elsewhere. They make the bike really feel extra alive underneath you, like each enter is amplified. Are they sensible? No. Are they performance-per-dollar champions? Not even shut. However are they quick, unique, and flat-out enjoyable? YES – I’ve by no means climbed higher.
At $4,500, the Max 40s are an extravagance, however if you happen to’re the kind to chase that final ounce of pace and don’t thoughts your pockets crying, they ship on their promise.
Take a look at the complete line at Cadex-cycling.com
