Test ride: Carbon wheels have now become the standard in high-quality road bikes. A lot has happened in terms of material and construction in recent years - the wheels have not only become lighter, but also stiffer and more durable. Nevertheless, the selection of really stable carbon fiber wheels that can easily withstand riders in the three-digit weight range is still limited. The CT 60 Superstrong from the German manufacturer Leeze is intended to remedy this situation - with a weight approval of up to 120kg, a long manufacturer's guarantee and an optically individual design.
For many hobby and amateur riders, a good wheelset is almost a purchase for life. Because let's not kid ourselves: high-quality wheels tear a big hole in the wallet of most riders - for this reason, in addition to pure performance, weight and other technical properties, durability and stability also play a decisive role. This fact causes headaches, especially for somewhat heavier drivers, where the scales remain above 100kg. For precisely these demands, the German wheel specialist Leeze has its Superstrong wheels in its range: Stable carbon rims, 32(!) spokes and a high-quality construction enable a weight allowance of up to 120kg - with a nevertheless competitive weight.
The Superstrong wheels are available either as clinchers (CC 60 Superstrong) or for tubular tires (CT 60 Superstrong) - in both versions a completely newly developed rim is used. A profile height of 60mm and the width, which has grown significantly compared to its predecessors, ensure noticeably better aerodynamics. The rims are a full 28mm wide at the waist – and the braking flanks are still 25mm wide. Of course, the rim base also grows, which is now optimized for tires with a width of 25mm on both the clincher and the tubular model.
32 spokes at the front and rear give the simple wheels a striking and unusual look at first glance. However, we find that the Leeze Superstrong doesn't look better or worse than their counterparts with fewer spokes - just different. However, the increase in stiffness that the 64 Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes bring with them can be felt, measured and experienced. Even our heaviest test rider, who easily cracked the 100kg mark, couldn't get more than a weary smile from the wheels while pedaling out of the saddle. The high-quality construction also contributes to this: the wheels are all manufactured and centered in Germany. There is a 5-year guarantee on broken spokes.
The driving experience convinced us all along the line: Even the biting wind in the late autumn Bavarian forest hardly disturbed our test drivers and the 60mm high rims. The Leeze wheels come with either Continental Sprinter or Competition (tubular) tires or a set of Grand Prix 4000 S II (clinchers). The ceramic bearings in the hubs ensure smooth, easy running and long durability.
Let's get back to the hard facts: First the weight - the tubular variant Leeze CT 60 Superstrong weighs 1.460g - so the aero wheels are in a highly competitive range despite high stability and 32 spokes. The same applies to the clincher counterparts CC 60 Superstrong with 1.600g. The Leeze wheels are also in a reasonable price range: €1.249 (tubular) or €1.349 (clincher) including tires are not cheap for the performance offered, but they are affordable. Especially since the wheels promise a long half-life thanks to their stable construction.
Another treat are the free customizable wheel rim decals: you can select the arch and font color in an online configurator when ordering. In this way, the design can be coordinated with the frame color and the overall picture of the bike. We went through two possible combinations on our Canyon test bike: On the one hand, we opted for a striking white/red combination to match the color accents of the frame, on the other hand, the rims are adorned with glossy black logos, just like the manufacturer's logo on the matt carbon frame.
Conclusion
Certainly, the Superstrong wheels from Leeze are not wheels for everyone: But it doesn't matter whether they are slightly heavier drivers who still don't want to do without high-quality carbon wheels on their racer, or all those who are looking for durable, robust wheels for more than one Season are - for these target groups, the Leeze wheels are definitely worth a look, especially in view of the more than competitive weight, the good handling characteristics and the reasonable price.
Web
www.leeze.de