EXAR wheelsets: premium carbon wheels with great value
Contents
In short
- EXAR makes carbon wheelsets for road and gravel; in international reviews it also appears as Magene EXAR.
- The rim, spokes and hub are designed together as one system.
- HI-MOD carbon rims that pass the UCI impact test.
- Range: Ultra, Pro and GR45 Pro wheelsets, plus a 36-gram TPU inner tube.
- Premium technology at a much lower price than similar wheels from the big brands.
One system, not a collection of parts
Many wheelsets are made by building up a sourced rim, spokes and hub. EXAR works differently: it designs the rim, spokes and hub together so that they form one unit in weight, stiffness and looks. The HI-MOD carbon rim only gets material where it's needed for stiffness. According to the manufacturer, the result is faster acceleration and more precise steering.
Light, but not fragile
EXAR wheelsets pass the UCI impact test: the carbon rim takes a 40-joule impact and the deformation stays within the limit. The self-locking spoke nipples don't loosen, and the 2:1 lacing keeps the wheel true over the long term.
The hub deserves attention too: the 36-tooth, flat-toothed ratchet engages quickly and securely, and thanks to the rear hub design the spoke tension on both sides is almost equal, which gives good lateral stiffness.
The EXAR range
| Product | Use | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fiber Ultra | Road, disc brake | DB405, DB508, DB607; carbon spokes, ceramic bearings, from 1280 g | 374 900 Ft |
| Carbon Fiber Pro | Road, rim or disc brake | 45 or 58 mm, aero bladed spokes, from 1350 g | 199 900 Ft |
| GR45 Pro | Gravel, disc brake | 32 mm external width, 1490 g, undrilled rim bed | 249 900 Ft |
| 700c TPU inner tube | Road, 23–28c | 36 g, Presta valve 45/60/75 mm | 5 900 Ft |
For the road: Ultra and Pro
The Ultra is the top model: carbon rim, carbon spokes that weigh 2.8 grams each according to the manufacturer, and ceramic bearings. The Pro is available in rim-brake and disc-brake versions, with aerodynamic bladed spokes. We've put together a detailed comparison of the two series in a separate article.
For gravel: GR45 Pro
The 32 mm wide rim of the GR45 Pro supports wide tyres well, so it corners precisely even at low pressure. The steel spokes damp better, and the undrilled rim bed is tubeless-ready without tape.
TPU inner tube
According to the manufacturer, the 36-gram TPU inner tube is three times lighter than a conventional tube and takes up hardly any space in your saddle bag. It's a great match for carbon wheels if you don't run tubeless, and it's handy as a spare alongside tubeless too.
What do the reviews say?
Hambini, known for strict, engineering-minded testing, took apart and measured the Ultra DB508 and the RB45 Pro wheelsets. the5krunner found the Ultra a well-built, light wheelset and highlighted its quiet freehub. Australian Cyclist magazine wrote that it expects race-level performance from the GR45 Pro at a competitive price, and considers its price hard to beat.
Compatibility
The wheelsets come with a Shimano 11-speed freehub as standard, which takes 8–12-speed Shimano cassettes. SRAM 12-speed needs an XDR freehub and Campagnolo an N3W freehub; these are sold separately. The disc-brake versions use 100/142 mm thru-axles, and the rim-brake Pro uses quick releases. All three wheelsets can be used with tubeless or clincher tyres.
Who is EXAR for?
- Riders upgrading their bike with carbon wheels who don't want to pay a premium brand mark-up.
- Owners of rim-brake bikes, who have few carbon options left today.
- Gravel riders looking for a wide, tubeless-ready rim.
Why buy from Premiumbike?
We ship in-stock EXAR products within 2–4 working days. Shipping is 1690 Ft, free over 75 000 Ft, and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal. We're happy to help with compatibility questions: tell us what bike and drivetrain you have, and we'll tell you which version and freehub you need.
Explore our EXAR brand page, the full EXAR range, all wheelsets and the inner tubes.
