Ubique R50C Carbon Road Bike Wheels Test Week [Review]

Looking for a good upgrade for your road bike? The first thing you probably think of is a new (carbon) wheelset. This is not a bad idea, as it could be the best investment you can make. After all, a carbon wheelset can be an improvement in many ways: less weight, tighter handling, less drag due to improved aerodynamics and, of course, the look of your bike! Ubique has recently released the new R50C carbon wheelset. On paper, everything about these wheels is right, but do they live up to the hype?

What is Ubique and where did it come from?

There are many types carbon road bike wheels in all price ranges. Alongside all the well-known brands, we now have carbon wheels from the new brand 'Ubique' in our collection. Ubique's aim is to make the latest technology available to all cyclists. Whether you are an experienced competitive cyclist or a recreational cyclist, Ubique products will help you to enjoy cycling. The first Ubique product has now been launched, namely the Ubique R50C carbon road bike wheels. It all sounds very promising, reason enough for us to give them a try.

First impressions

The wheels are well packed in the Ubique box. The first thing you notice when you take the wheels out of the box is that they are incredibly light. Of course, this is not surprising as the tyres, cassette and discs are not mounted yet, but still. The box the wheels come in is heavier than the wheels themselves, which is a good sign.

Getting ready to go

Fitting is also a breeze. The discs are held in place by a central locking ring, so all you need is a cassette remover to fit both the discs and the cassette. The discs and cassette are fitted in a matter of minutes. Lastly, all I have to do is fit the right tyres and I'm off!

Although the wheels come with tubeless tape and valves as standard, they can also be used 'just' with inner tubes. As I have to return the wheels in a week, I opted for inner tubes. Wide rims are suitable for outer tyres from 25mm to 50mm wide. These wheels have an ideal tyre width of 28mm, and these sizes are becoming increasingly popular as they offer less rolling resistance and more comfort. As a bonus, wide rims look great. Time to get going!

The best part: making miles!

Thanks to the carbon rims, the wheels are lighter and stiffer than aluminium wheels, resulting in a more direct power transmission from the pedals to the road. The high rims and strong, straight spokes do their job perfectly. As soon as I pull away from a traffic light or accelerate to overtake someone, I just speed off. What strikes me perhaps even more than the stiffness is how comfortable the wheels are. Despite the high lateral stiffness you notice when accelerating, they roll smoothly over the tarmac. Vibrations are well absorbed, reducing fatigue over long distances. If you keep your legs still, the hub makes a subtle rattle. Not so loud that everyone can hear you coming hundreds of metres off, but clearly audible. Personally, I find it a good middle ground.

One of the advantages of the wide rims is that the wheels feel very stable, both when cornering and in a straight line. On the dykes where I regularly cycle, I unfortunately have more headwind than tailwind, but even when the wind comes from the side, the wheels give a lot of confidence. My standard aluminium wheels have a rim height of 30mm, and although these 50mm wheels are considerably taller, I notice little difference in terms of wind sensitivity. What I have noticed with the higher rim is that it is much easier to maintain a high speed due to better aerodynamics. I also think a taller rim looks much nicer and sportier, but that's a matter of taste.

But are Ubique R50C wheels up to some speed?

As well as looks and comfort, you want a carbon wheelset to go fast. The 50mm high rims with their streamlined design reduce drag so you can go faster with the same effort. Not only are aerodynamics becoming increasingly important as you reach higher speeds, but even at around 30km/h it plays a significant role. I'm a regular (training) competitor myself, and even though I don't race at the highest level, I still like to take advantage of the 'free' extra speed that comes with good equipment. In this type of training and racing, speeds are regularly in excess of 45 km/h and it is also important to be able to accelerate quickly after each corner. The hub engages quickly and the wheels are very responsive.

Once you get up to speed, it feels easier to maintain it. Perhaps some of this is down to the fact that having a nice bike and wheelset is also good for your morale. On my way back from work, I was curious to see how fast a carbon wheelset would be and decided to give it a good push. Before you know it, a set of new Ubique wheels will add a few more trophies to your Strava trophy cabinet!

PROS UBIQUE R50C

• The neutral and elegant design is timeless and will look good on almost any bike
• Surprisingly comfortable, yet tight and direct through corners
• The 50mm high rims offer aerodynamic benefits and make for very stiff wheels
• The wheels are suitable for tubeless use due to the pre-assembled tubeless valves and rim tape, but you can also still ride with inner tubes
• Equipped with all the latest technology such as wide rims, strong straight pull spokes with internal spoke nipples and a good hub seal against water and dirt
• Standard 3-year warranty and 'crash replacement' scheme

CONS UBIQUE R50C

• Despite weighing in at 1679 gram, there may be better (lighter) choices for really tough climbs
• If you are looking for an eye-catching wheelset, you may find these too plain
• New carbon wheels may provide extra morale, but you still have to pedal yourself

Do I keep the wheels fitted on my bike?

With the R50C carbon wheelset, Ubique has created a wheelset that meets the needs of cyclists of all levels. Combining top performance, versatility and durability, this wheelset is an excellent choice for any cyclist. Whether you are a professional looking for extra speed or an enthusiastic amateur looking to push your limits, Ubique R50C wheels will help you improve your ride.

Sure, it's a hefty sum, but in terms of value for money, it's spot on. Partly because of the standard 3 year warranty that comes with it and the crash replacement scheme, I would definitely take a chance on this new and relatively unknown brand. I don't think there are many better choices for the money, so I'm convinced and happy to keep them on my bike. You won't regret buying these Ubique carbon wheels!

Curious about the full specifications? Then take a look at the Ubique R50C product page. Overview of the products used during this test: