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The wheels from the Luxembourg artisanal brand SH Race have a design that inevitably recalls the famous American brand Princeton. Can we expect a similar result on the road for four times less? Today, we invite you to join us in our exploration to discover the answer, with this in-depth test of the brand new SH Race Aero Wave model, designed to push the limits of aerodynamic performance thanks to its distinctive wavy shape.
By Jean-François Tatard (text and photos)
Welcome to the exciting world of high-end bike wheels, where performance meets innovative engineering. Here are the manufacturer’s promises. “The wheels are made of high-quality carbon to ensure maximum strength while maintaining minimum weight. Precision ball bearings ensure smooth rotation and disc hubs allow for effective braking in all conditions. This wheel model is ideal for cyclists or triathletes looking to improve their speed and efficiency.”
Who is SH Race?
In the cycling universe, every wheel rotation carries a unique story, blending passion, determination, and innovation. Such is the captivating narrative of SH Race, a brand making a name for itself in the realm of high-end carbon wheels.
The story of SH Race begins with a personal tragedy. In the 90s, Stéphane Huertas, the brand’s founder, a cycling enthusiast and accomplished racer, saw his destiny change when he was the victim of a serious road accident. Doctors then told him that he would never be able to practice his favorite sport again. But against all odds, his determination and love for cycling propelled him to a new beginning. After years of rehabilitation and overcoming obstacles, the founder of SH Race finally found his place back on the bike. Driven by his passion for cycling mechanics, he decided to create his own brand of carbon wheels. Thus, SH Race was born, a project born from the conviction that wheels are a crucial element of cycling performance.
SH Race aims to quickly distinguish itself through its dedication to quality, precision, and responsive customer service. Each product is the result of meticulous development, fueled by passion and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In close collaboration with cycling professionals, including athlete Dany Maffeis, who facilitated our meeting, SH Race aims to achieve the highest standards of performance. Through regular testing and partnerships with renowned manufacturers, SH Race ensures the quality and durability of its carbon wheels. No compromise is made on the quality of the materials used, thus guaranteeing reliable and high-performing products.
SH Race’s design philosophy is based on three pillars: performance, quality, and service. Each wheel model is designed to offer an optimal balance between lightness, stiffness, and aerodynamics, thus meeting the needs of professional and amateur cyclists. SH Race continues to explore new avenues for the future. Future projects, such as specific molds and the expansion of its product range, demonstrate its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of cycling.
The flagship model test
At first glance, it’s the unique lines of the rims that catch the eye and set these wheels apart from their competitors. Visually, the SH Race Aero Wave carbon rims immediately evoke Princeton (or even Zipp 353 NSW), with their biomimicry-inspired design. The distinctive sinusoidal shape brings a unique touch and offers much more than just an aesthetic aspect. It ensures remarkable optimization of weight and stiffness, while improving air penetration, which translates into increased stability, especially when facing the elements, whether crosswinds or high speed.
The version we tested has a rim depth of 45 mm in the troughs and rises to 50 mm at the crest. This wave technology appears to be the result of meticulous engineering, allowing for optimal material distribution. The troughs are streamlined, thus reducing the amount of material without compromising solidity, while the carbon is strategically reinforced at the spokes to offer maximum resistance and unparalleled stiffness.
These wheels embody the excellence of high-end artisanal assembly, but they don’t just seduce with their technical performance. They also offer customization options to meet your specific needs and reflect your unique style. On the version compatible with tubed and tubeless tires, the external width of the rim reaches 28.5 mm. You can easily mount tires up to 28 mm, or even more, without any constraints.
Our test model is equipped with SHR One hubs, assembled for several months by this genius designer himself, further adding to its sophisticated look and remarkable performance. Every detail is carefully thought out to offer an incomparable riding experience, where form and function harmoniously combine to maximize performance.
The SHR spokes, also made in Europe, although more conventional, offer proven reliability and ease of replacement if necessary, which is a definite advantage. They are tied on the pair we tested, which confirms the attention to detail and manufacturing quality. Aesthetically, it is interesting to note that the red spoke nipples are judiciously placed around the valve, adding a subtle but distinctive touch of color to the whole.
We obviously didn’t miss the fact that we were riding with ceramic bearings offering several significant additional advantages. Their smoother surface reduces friction during rotation, thus improving pedaling efficiency and allowing for energy savings. It’s difficult to verify their durability on this test where we accumulated a little over 700 km, but it seems to us that their corrosion resistance guarantees optimal performance in the long term, while their reduced weight contributes to improving the bike’s acceleration and handling. Moreover, the properties of these bearings, such as their low friction coefficient and heat resistance, ensure consistent performance regardless of riding conditions, thus offering a superior experience to our test.
Regarding performance, the announced weight for the disc and tubeless ready version of the Aero Wave is 1270 g, placing them at the top of the lightest disc wheels we have had the opportunity to test. This lightness combined with their solid construction and aerodynamic design makes them a top choice for cyclists seeking optimal performance and versatility on all types of terrain.
Our verdict
The behavior of these wheels combines impressive stiffness with an absolute sense of control… From the very first moments, we were captivated by the undeniable reliability and exceptional level of performance of these wheels. They prove to be a real asset in everyday life, offering a perfect combination of stiffness, bearings, lightness, comfort, robustness, and reliability. They brilliantly met every objective, never letting us down. It’s even difficult to find any negative points, so impressed were we.
It is important to note that, although our opinion is subjective, it in no way replaces an independent wind tunnel test, a resource unfortunately out of reach for our magazine at this stage. Nevertheless, we are convinced that our impressions correspond to those you might have when riding high-end wheels from prestigious brands.
What truly distinguishes the Aero Wave wheels is their incredible ability to quickly regain speed during accelerations, especially in competition, and particularly on very dynamic circuits. Their very high stiffness is felt instantly, eliminating the need for extra effort to regain cruising speed.
With a rim depth between 45 and 50 mm, they offer great versatility, performing equally well on the flats and in climbs. When the road becomes steeper, as during our test in a Provence pass, the lightness of the pair makes all the difference, offering incomparable pleasure during ascents.
The sinusoidal shape of the wheels also proves to be a pleasant surprise, offering increased stability, especially when the wind blows sideways. As a result of their high stiffness, steering becomes more precise and requires increased attention. Finally, the characteristic sound emitted during gear changes is reminiscent of disc wheels, a treat for lovers of quality equipment.
Our evaluation of the wheels was carried out with Michelin Power Cup 25 mm Tubeless Ready tires and 160 mm Shimano rotors. It is clear that these wheels can accommodate tires up to 28 mm without any problem. We deliberately rode with the tires at low pressure, three times less than the maximum recommended pressure (2 bar instead of 6), and we were surprised to find that this did not affect performance, which testifies to the exceptional quality of the wheel. This particular test highlighted the wheel’s ability to maintain optimal performance even in unconventional conditions. This thus underlines the wheel’s remarkable reliability, durability, and efficiency.
IN SHORT, WE LIKED
- The unique aesthetic of the carbon rims, with a distinctive sinusoidal shape.
- The meticulous engineering of this product ensuring optimal material distribution to combine lightness and stiffness.
- The designer’s strategy of reinforcing the carbon at the spokes for maximum strength.
- The tying of the spokes reinforcing the structure and thus improving load distribution, increasing the durability and stability of the wheel.
- The care taken with other details in the assembly, such as the red spoke nipples around the valve.
- The versatility of these wheels, with the ability to accommodate tires up to 28 mm and compatibility with tubeless tires.
- Remarkable performance on all types of terrain.
- The varnishing of the wheels after sticker application, adding a refined finishing touch to their sophisticated look.
And finally, a competitive price
For a price of €1369, to which approximately €300 will need to be added for rotors, tires, and an Ultegra cassette, this pair of carbon wheels offers an accessibility that sets it apart, making its appeal much broader than that of more renowned brands. This financial accessibility expands the horizons of cycling enthusiasts, offering the possibility of benefiting from cutting-edge performance without emptying their wallets. Not only will the wheelset visually enhance the aesthetics of your bike, but it will also redefine its behavior on the road.
The SH RACE AERO WAVE 50 wheels in brief… Pros: responsiveness, versatile profile, stability, aesthetics, sound, value for money Available in 45, 50 (test model), 60 and 68 mm depth – Various hub options – Weight: 1270 g per pair – Price: €1369 Contact: www.shrace.fr |
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