Tech specs:
Price: MSRP: €2,699 / Initial online price: €2,159
Rim depth: 65mm
Inner rim width: 22mm
Hub: Swiss Side / DT Swiss 180 Aero
Weight: 1526 grams / F: 705g R: 820g
Swiss Side has today launched a new 65mm deep wheelset that complies with the UCI rules on maximum wheel depth, which will come into effect on January 1st, 2026.
The new wheelset is the HADRON³ Ultimate 650, which adheres to the UCI equipment rules regarding rim depth, which were announced in June this year.
At the time, the UCI ruling, like others this year, such as the controversial minimum handlebar width and gear limitation rules, both supposedly measures to decrease race speeds and thus increase safety, was met with resistance, and Swiss Side CEO Jean-Paul Ballard published an open letter to the UCI at the time of the ruling protesting and ‘scientifically challenging’ the decision. The brand argued that rim shape, and not just depth, dictates stability and safety.
The UCI ruling must have caused extra frustration for the Swiss brand, who supply wheels to the Decathlon AG2R La Mondial team, coming just two weeks before the company was set to launch its 68mm HADRON³ Ultimate ‘680’ wheel set.
This new road bike wheelset has a 3mm shallower rim than the UCI illegal 680 wheelset, which can, in fact, still be used for non-UCI-sanctioned events and triathlons. The wheel features the same 22mm internal rim width, but Swiss Side claims it was developed to enhance riding stability. With a claimed -12% reduction in crosswind sensitivity, a weight decrease of 33 grams and a +0.5W aerodynamic drag increase.
The wheels will launch with an MSRP of €2,699, as well as an initial online price: €2,159. Alongside the 65mm option, Swiss Side offers the HADRON³ Ultimate in 38,55,68 and 85mm options, as well as a disc wheel for TT and triathlon.
Swiss Side says the Hadron Ultimate range achieves ‘class-leading aero efficiency’ and does indeed appear to focus on aerodynamics and rider stability for a more aerodynamic total system.
Swiss Side provides a lot of information on its aero work and testing; the brand’s website contains a lot of interesting reading. CEO Ballard comes from a Formula 1 background and has transferred his aero concepts to…
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