Insights into the Details of Vélobsessive Wheels
From hidden nipples to ceramic-bearing hubs — a detailed look at the components and engineering choices behind every Vélobsessive wheelset.
Wheels are considered the crucial components of a road bike. In the case of a rotating wheel, aerodynamics and weight are of particular importance and significantly impact performance compared to static components. It is the subtle details that make the crucial difference.
Rims
The ultra-light carbon rims are available in heights of 80, 60, 45, and 30 mm, offering minimal weight and optimal aerodynamics. Our rims support tubeless tires (Tubeless Ready) or tires with tubes — and upon request, we also manufacture wheels for tubular tires.
Road bike rims come in two inner width variants: 19 mm and 21 mm. The 21 mm rims allow for wider tires, which reduces rolling resistance.
Spokes
We rely on the proven Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes, also used by other renowned high-end wheel manufacturers such as Zipp — combining low weight with optimal aerodynamics. Alternatively, we use Pillar X-Tra Lite Titanium bladed spokes, which further reduce the wheelset's weight by an additional 80 g.
Nipples
Vélobsessive wheels are designed exclusively with integrated (hidden) nipples. This choice reduces drag and improves wheel performance by up to 4%. The nipples are made of lightweight aluminium.
Hubs
Our ultralight hubs feature ceramic bearings that minimize rolling resistance. For optimal aerodynamics, we exclusively use straight-pull hubs.
Optimized for Low Weight and Aerodynamics
Low weight enables quick acceleration; aerodynamics become decisive at high speeds. Every wheel configuration can be tailored to its intended use — from rim height to spoke material. A tubular wheelset for disc brakes with 45 mm rim height and titanium spokes, for example, weighs just 1,139 g. All these details position Vélobsessive wheels as a premium product meeting the highest standards in aerodynamics, weight, and handling.
In this page...
"I was tired of spending a lot of money on bikes that never truly fit. So I founded Vélobsessive."
Thomas Glättli
Founder of Vélobsessive & Bike Fitter
[ THE MAN BEHIND THE BLOG ]
Tired of Bikes that don't fit
Thomas Glättli is the driving force behind Vélobsessive. As an enthusiastic cyclist and dedicated amateur athlete, he was tired of compromising when it came to finding the perfect road bike. In 2019, he founded Vélobsessive with a clear goal: the rider shouldn't have to fit the bike; the bike should fit the rider.
