Bike tech is a fast-moving world where the lines between performance, exclusivity, and pure extravagance blur more each season. We’ve already normalized $18,000 race bikes, $4,600 groupsets, and power meters that cost as much as an entire entry-level build. So when Cadex unveiled the Max 40—a $4,500 wheelset—was anyone really that surprised?
That’s still a staggering price for two hoops. But here’s the thing: the Max 40s aren’t just another high-end option. They’re featherlight, brutally stiff, and designed to turn heads as much as they turn out watts. If you’re shopping by grams per dollar, look elsewhere. If you want cutting-edge design with race-proven speed, exclusivity baked in, and a wheelset that feels unapologetically premium, the Max 40s deliver. After months of hammering them in every condition I could find, I’m stuck in a weird spot: I love these wheels, but my wallet definitely doesn’t.
The Tech – Breaking Down the CADEX Max 40
Cadex is Giant’s premium component brand, their equivalent to Specialized’s Roval. Since its relaunch in 2019, Cadex has focused on producing stiff, aerodynamic, and impressively lightweight gear, often tested under the Team Jayco-Alula banner on the WorldTour. The Max 40 is their boldest play yet.
Cadex calls the Max 40 their “ultimate do-it-all wheelset,” striking a balance between aerodynamics, weight, and control. At 1,249 g claimed (1,318 g actual with tape/valves), they’re darn light for a mid-depth aero wheel. Add a 48-tooth ratchet hub with ceramic bearings, carbon spokes bonded directly into the hub, and a 40 mm depth with 22.72 mm internal width, and you’ve got the recipe for speed.
Yes, those bonded spokes mean if one breaks, you’re looking at a factory repair, but they look incredible and contribute to the stiffness. This is Cadex’s moonshot wheelset, and it shows.
Cadex Max 40 Specs at a Glance
- Weight: 1,249 g claimed / 1,318 g actual (w/tape & valves)
- Price: $4,500 ($2,000 front / $2,500 rear)
- Hubs: 48t ratchet, ceramic bearings
- Spokes: Cadex Super Aero Carbon (16F / 24R)
- Rim Depth: 40 mm
- Internal Width: 22.72 mm
- External Rim Width: 28.26mm
- Bead Width: 3.17mm
- Max Pressure: 72.5 PSI
- Max Rider Weight: 285 lbs
- Warranty: Lifetime + 5-year incident replacement
Ride Impressions – Where They Shine
Let’s cut to the chase, as I’ve had these wheels for a while, and have ridden them in nearly every situation. From the first time you pedal the bike on a climb, the Max 40s feel stiff as hell. Every watt goes straight into the ground, with no hesitation and no sponginess. Like a good set of deep rims feels like an extra gear in a crit, the Cadex Max 40 feels like that on a climb. Like you suddenly have more in the tank. These wheels are designed for sprinting up hill, steady climbing, and mashing. They respond instantly. If you like a wheelset with some flex or compliance, this isn’t it. These wheels are unapologetically built for all-out responsiveness.
How does that work? I’m guessing the unique and very eye-catching bonded hub and spoke design helps. I’ve ridden nearly every wheel that Cadex makes, and the Cadex Max 40 is by far the stiffest and lightest – but thats what they’re for. The build is beautiful, and somewhat fleeting, as you can’t really service the wheels if you break a spoke (but you can true them slightly). But if you do manage to break them, I’m guessing it was a big crash, so you might have more to worry about.
Fast & Nimble
That 40 mm depth is the sweet spot. Aero enough to cut through, shallow enough to avoid crosswind sketchiness. To compare them to something in the Cadex line, they are not as planted in gusts as the Cadex Max 50 (reviewed here), but they’re predictable and easy to trust, even on high-speed descents. Cornering is sharp and controlled; you can dive into switchbacks without worrying about washout.
For a wheel this stiff, surprisingly, they’re not punishing. The 22.72 mm internal width works well with 28mm hookless-compatible rubber (I tested Cadex Race GC tires), which takes some edge off. They’re not as plush as Enve’s SES 3.4s, but they’re comfortable enough for big days. Over broken pavement, you’ll feel more buzz than with a traditional spoked wheel, but that’s the tradeoff for stiffness and speed.
Descending
On the way down, the Max 40s hold speed frighteningly well. The ceramic bearings keep things rolling smoothly, and the wheels track where you point them. In big crosswinds, they’ll twitch, but they’re manageable. They have the stiffness that feels like you actually gain speed in the corners. There is no flex when you push, the rim holds, and you’re pumping out of a turn.
What Did You Say?
A minor concern worth mentioning is the freehub; it’s quite loud. I found this to be the same on the Cadex Max 50s, but it might be even louder (somehow) on the Max 40s. No, it’s not the worst thing, but it reverberated through the rim enough to cause some passing glances. The internals of the hubs are top-notch and have a mountain bike hub-like response. The 48t ratchet sings with a buzz that’s sharp and impossible to ignore. Personally, I loved it; it’s like a built-in warning system on crowded city paths.
The Tradeoffs
No wheelset this bold is without quirks:
- Weight Discrepancy – My pair was 69g heavier than the claimed weight. Cadex allows a ±5% tolerance, but at this price, I expected tighter tolerances.
- Hookless Rim – Limited tire compatibility. You need to stick to the approved list, which eliminates many options.
- Non-Replaceable Spokes – Bonded carbon looks wild, but a single broken spoke = factory repair. Not ideal for heavy travelers or big-milers.
- Center Lock Adapter – A hexagonal center lock adapter piece is required to install the rotor. It’s not an issue, just a carbon buffer, but if you lose it, it could be.
- Crosswinds – Manageable, but not as confident as others on the market.
- Price – $4,500. You can buy great, hand-built carbon products for less than half the price. You’re paying for exclusivity as much as performance, and that Cadex carbon warranty (it’s very good)
Verdict – Who Are The Cadex Max 40s For?
The Cadex Max 40s are not the wheels for everyone. They’re not value-driven, they’re not especially forgiving, and they demand a certain type of rider—someone who wants the absolute cutting edge, who likes the idea of riding what the pros race, and who doesn’t flinch at a premium price tag.
But for that rider? These wheels are a dream. Insanely stiff, impressively light, and loaded with design touches you won’t find elsewhere. They make the bike feel more alive under you, like every input is amplified. Are they practical? No. Are they performance-per-dollar champions? Not even close. But are they fast, exclusive, and flat-out fun? YES – I’ve never climbed better.
At $4,500, the Max 40s are an extravagance, but if you’re the type to chase that last ounce of speed and don’t mind your wallet crying, they deliver on their promise.
