Lightweight Obermayer EVO on test

The Lightweight Obermayer EVO is the epitome of high-end exclusivity. But is this lightweight dream of many roadies still relevant today, and does it deserve its highly acclaimed reputation? We pitted the wheels against the current crop of aero models in our group test to find out.

**Lightweight** Obermayer EVO | € 6.990 | 1275 g | Manufacturer’s website

We tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test – click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.

As one of the pioneers of one-piece carbon wheels, Lightweight are deserved icons of the scene. And you’ll have to pay accordingly – at an eye-watering price of just under € 7,000, the Obermayer EVO is by far the most expensive wheelset on test. But can the largely unchanged one-piece carbon construction of the Obermayer EVO still hold its own against modern aero wheels? Or does the hefty price and eye-catching look make these wheels more of a status symbol than a performance upgrade?

Super light and super expensive – The specs of the Lightweight Obermayer EVO

As expected, the Obermayer EVO wheelset relies on Lightweight’s proven recipe for success, consisting of one-piece hubs, spokes, and rims. And it offers several advantages. For example, it allows them to keep the weight incredibly low without affecting stiffness. Indeed, the Obermayer EVO is the undefeated champion in terms of weight, tipping the scales at just 1,275 g. But there’s more to it than just weight. By dispensing with threaded spokes and nipples, there’s no need for spoke holes in the rim. That means setting them up tubeless couldn’t be easier, and they’re guaranteed not to leak! That said, the narrow 18 mm internal rim width isn’t particularly up to date, and less appropriate for a tubeless setup. According to Syncros, modern 28 mm tires aren’t suitable for rims that narrow. Even 25 mm tires look a bit chunky on the Obermayer EVO. The integrated magnet for a speed sensor is just as old-school as the rim width – while the speedometers of old bike computers can’t work without them, virtually every modern head unit currently on the market relies on GPS tech instead. The hubs are relatively standard, with DT Swiss internals and a Ratchet EXP freehub, so they’re easy to service and spares are readily available. These are paired with CeramicSpeed bearings, which is in line with what we’d expect for a price point of just under € 7,000. You’re not just getting the efficiency of ceramic bearings, but also can rely on one of the biggest names in the industry.

**From a bygone era**
While it was a great feature once, integrated magnets in the rim are superfluous in times of GPS bike computers.

**Pure craftsmanship**
A look at the hubs shows how much manual labour goes into these wheels.

**Tubeless made easy**
It couldn’t be easier: simply insert the valve, and you’re ready to go. No rim tape required.

But despite all the high-end components, it’s primarily the unique look and minimal weight of the Lightweight Obermayer EVO that hopes to justify the price. The wheels boast extremely high-quality workmanship and are real eye-catchers despite their subtle branding. Unfortunately, the warranty is significantly more average. Lightweight offer five years more than the EU’s legally required 2 years, and they offer a replacement discount in the event of damage with their Crash Replacement program.

**Old school**
The first aero rims on the market were tapered, but rounder, more bulbous profiles have long since proven to be more aerodynamic.

**Perfectly integrated**
You can see the wheel builders’ experience considering how the carbon spokes meld seamlessly with the rims.

Lightweight Obermayer EVO – To the max

There were a few surprises in this group test and the Lightweight Obermayer EVO were definitely one of them. Their extremely light weight and stiff design creates a unique riding experience. Direct and stiff, the Lightweight Obermayer EVOs convert every bit of power on the pedals into propulsion, and respond to even the slightest steering input without filtering anything. However, the wheels really come into their own on the climbs thanks to their minimal weight. As such, cranking up steep climbs and accelerating out of the corners is a blast. You can also revel in their efficiency when pulling away or sprinting on flat terrain. But all that responsiveness comes at a price. Above all, we’re talking about compliance, which is close to zero with the Lightweight Obermayer EVO. It’s a bit of a pity, but a necessary evil of this highly efficient, one-piece design. You can mitigate this to some extent with 28 mm tires, though the narrow internal rim width simply lacks the volume required for adequate damping.
Another drawback is their performance in crosswinds. Due to the very wide carbon spokes and 48 mm deep, angular rims, the Obermayer EVO is just as susceptible to wind as the deepest models on test.

Dated? – The Lightweight Obermayer EVO in the wind tunnel

Despite the flat carbon spokes and one-piece construction, the Lightweight Obermayer EVOs don’t fare as well when it comes to aero performance. We quickly felt that the Obermayer EVOs would be dropped by the competition. They still seem capable of keeping up on the straights, but their performance drops rapidly in crosswinds and with the sail effect.
The wind tunnel shows that the wheels can keep up with the slowest competition at moderate yaw angles of up to 2.5°, but they quickly fall back beyond that. You can observe a slight sail effect at steeper angles, but the Obermayer EVO still remains far behind the competition at this point. Averaged out, their aerodynamic performance isn’t great. Lightweight’s wheels are just under 10 watts behind the test winning Syncros’, and a whole 4 watts behind the Mavics, which are the next best wheels on test.

Our conclusion on the Lightweight Obermayer EVO

The Lightweight Obermayer EVO are preceded by their reputation, set apart by their unique one-piece construction, minimal weight, and exclusivity. They definitely set the bar in terms of direct and responsive handling, making them a blast on the climbs. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of aerodynamics, compliance, and modern standards. What you’re left with is an extremely expensive wheelset with limited versatility, perfect for people who are more concerned about appearances than they are about outright performance.

Tops

incredibly stiff and lightweight, perfect for the climbs
high-quality workmanship
unique look

Flops

very narrow rims
somewhat outdated rim geometry
incredibly expensive

For more information, visit lightweight.info

The test field