CycleOps

PowerTap 45mm G3 Carbon Clincher Wheelset

Clinchers are gaining traction in the world of cycling. You can't beat the ability to change a tube out on the open road, and with burgeoning technology narrowing the gap between tubular and clincher performance, the rationale behind the CycleOps PowerTap 45mm G3 Carbon Clincher Wheelset becomes obvious. Combining the hand-built 45mmEnve carbon clincher rims with the new CycleOps PowerTap G3 Wireless Hub and a super-light CycleOps Front Hub, it adds up to the lightest carbon PowerTap clincher wheelset ever produced.

CycleOps completely overhauled the design of previous PowerTap models, and improved multiple aspects ranging from rigidity to functionality. The new PowerTap G3 Rear Hub is a power meter on a diet. An 80-gram weight reduction from the popular SL+ makes the G3 rear hub the lightest power meter in the world. CycleOps improved on the rigidity of previous models for the G3 by shrinking the hub profile and widening the flanges, ending the days of heavy, stiff, paint bucket-sized rear hubs. With the distractions of weight and stealth design out of the way, CycleOps improved the functionality and accuracy of data gathering. For one, CycleOps moved the orientation of the electronics that transmit user data to the end cap of the freehub body. With the new positioning, it's now possible to remove the electronics for service without swapping out the entire wheel, equating to more time in the saddle and fewer headaches.

The new G3 is equipped with an ANT+ wireless transmitter that sends power, torque, speed, and virtual cadence data to either CycleOps' Joule or any computer unit that translates ANT+ (note that it doesn't work with Yellow CPUs.) The G3 is capable of storing up to 15 hours of data in one-second gathering intervals, and up to 30 hours of data in two-second gathering intervals. The G3 design still has a 'torque tube' with eight strain gauges, yielding measurements accurate within +/- 1.5% between 40 and 130 rpm.

CycleOps partnered with the cutting-edge wheel manufacturer, Enve, to create the rim sections for the PowerTap 45mm G3 Carbon Clincher Wheelset. A true legend in carbon composites, the 45 has long been the 'magic bullet' in the Enve arsenal. A versatile rim, the Enve 45 puts this wheelset on the forefront of training technology and racing performance. Known for its technical advancements in carbon composites, Enve has continually developed many of the lightest wheelsets in production. CycleOps selected its lightest clincher model, the 45 Clincher, to ensure that this wheelset is no exception. With a 45mm rim depth, the wheelset is comparable to many top wheelsets like the Zipp 404 Firecrest and the Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL.

Each PowerTap 45mm G3 Carbon Clincher Wheelset is hand-built with DT Swiss Aerolite Spokes, and features the new 99-gram CycleOps Front Hub. The new front hub design features a beefed up 10mm axle, an aluminum hub shell, and 6901 aluminum sealed bearing cartridges.

The news of CycleOps and Enve teaming up to produce the PowerTap 45mm G3 Carbon Clincher Wheelset should raise some eyebrows around the world, and for good reason. The G3 hub is one of the best power-measuring devices available, and pairing it with the Enve 45 rim makes racing with power information not only possible, but ideal. The wheels are available with either a Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo compatible freehub body.