If you are a time-triallist, triathlete or just want some very deep wheels for a big aerodynamic advantage, then the new Edco SIX-4 wheelset is worth adding to your 'want' list. They are well built, offer plenty of stiffness and are a decent weight for the depth too.
Edco has launched a completely new range of wheels for 2020, covering both rim and disc brakes, with depths of 34mm up to 82mm. The SIX-4s, as you can probably work out, are 64mm deep. This sort of depth is normally reserved for time-triallists and triathletes who, when racing individually, can enjoy the aerodynamic benefits you don't get when riding in a bunch.
> Buy these online here
Extra material needed to make the deeper rims obviously means increased weight. Not a huge issue if you are pounding your way up and down a flat dual-carriageway, but it can count against deep-section wheels if your terrain is more varied. Edco has managed to keep the SIX-4s to just 1,650g (using the road.cc Scales of Truth), including the fitted tubeless tape, which means that they aren't too bad in the hills either.
They are pretty quick off the line too, so accelerating away from traffic lights and junctions doesn't become a chore should you find yourself travelling through urban areas.
As you'd expect, though, where they really come alive is out on the flat.
Above 20mph you can really feel the aerodynamic benefits, and if you get yourself into a rhythm you can just keep them spinning over and over without a huge effort needed.
Being a larger rider I don't normally get affected by crosswinds that much when riding deep-section wheels, but I did notice the Edcos catching the breeze a fair few times. Not to a degree where I found them twitchy or difficult to handle, but enough that I had to focus when passing gateways for example.
Carbon fibre rims have been improving in a big way when it comes to braking performance thanks to materials being added to the braking area and by the use of specific brake compounds. Edco includes pads with this set of wheels, and as a combination the wheels and pads work very well together, giving stopping performance similar to that found on an aluminium alloy rim, even in the wet. There is none of the grabbiness as the heat builds up – all you get is smooth control.
Edco hasn't gone as wide with the rim as many other brands have with their aerodynamic wheels. It has stuck with 21mm internally, which means that they remain compatible with 23mm and 25mm tyres, the latter still being one of the most commonly used sizes for racing.
Compared with a more traditional 17mm internal rim width, which was commonplace a few years ago, it does stretch the tyre out a bit, so the 25mm Bontrager R3s I had fitted for the majority of riding were actually measuring more like 28mm, pretty much the limit for squeezing under standard dual pivot callipers.
Tyre fitting and removal was a simple affair, and when trying out tubeless versions, they popped onto the rims without hassle.
Going back to the rim, Edco has gone for a U-shaped profile which gets to its widest point about a third of the way down at 29.5mm. This gives a very slight aero advantage of having the rim being wider than the tyre, although it isn't as extreme as that found on the Hunt 48 Limitless, at 35mm external.
For the rest of the build Edco has used own brand NEO 1 hubs and Sapim CX Delta aero-bladed spokes, built in a radial formation for the front (16)…
…and a 2:1 ratio cross on the rear (24).
It's a stiff set of wheels and, try as I might, I couldn't get any brake rub when sprinting hard out of the saddle. They remained true throughout testing too.
The hubs run smoothly and if you like to use a 'clicky' freehub to alert your arrival to wayward pedestrians then you'll like this one. It's not that subtle if you want to discreetly wheelsuck though.
When it comes to price, it's good to see Edco has managed to keep them under £1,000 to make them competitive.
At £989.99 they are a touch cheaper than Prime's BlackEdition 60 Carbon wheels, which are just under a grand for the pair before discounting. Liam was very impressed with the 50mm-deep version.
As I mentioned earlier, Hunt has gone wide with all of its wheels, although if you want a depth similar to the SIX-4s you'll need to go for the 62 Carbon Aerodynamist wheelset. Weight is similar, but the price jumps up to £1,249.
> Buyer’s Guide: 32 of the best tubeless wheelsets under £1,000
Overall, the Edco SIX-4s are well-priced deep-section wheels that aren't limited to flat terrain. They offer a good ride, a great build quality and a decent aerodynamic boost for not a huge amount of money.
Verdict
Competitively priced and well-made deep-section wheels for those who want an aero advantage
Make and model: Edco SIX-4 wheelset
Tell us what the wheel is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Edco says, "Take advantage of the deep section wheels on the flat and hilly roads. Rim profile designed to handle the erratic winds out there, so you keep control at any yaw angle."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the wheel?
Edco lists these details:
622x21c / UD full carbon clincher / enhanced 3K brake track or disc optimized
· Tubeless Ready / secure and easy installation
SIX·4
hub front – Edco NEO·1 / QR10x100mm
hub rear – Edco NEO·1 / QR9x130mm / Sram AXS™ compatible
spokes – Sapim CX Delta / aero-bladed / front 16*radial / rear 24*cross 2:1 ratio
nipples – Sapim alloy double square
Rate the wheel for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the wheel for performance:
8/10
No issues at all with stiffness when riding hard or climbing.
Rate the wheel for durability:
8/10
Rate the wheel for weight
7/10
Rate the wheel for value:
6/10
Did the wheels stay true? Any issues with spoke tension?
The wheels stayed totally true throughout testing.
How easy did you find it to fit tyres?
Both tubed and tubeless tyres fitted without issue.
How did the wheel extras (eg skewers and rim tape) perform?
All of the extras included did a great job and required no fettling.
Tell us how the wheel performed overall when used for its designed purpose
This is a fast set of wheels ideal for time-trialling as well as fast road riding.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the wheel
Impressive braking performance.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the wheel
Can be susceptible to crosswinds.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
They are competitively priced and hold their own against straight-to-consumer brands like Prime and Hunt.
Did you enjoy using the wheel? Yes
Would you consider buying the wheel? Yes
Would you recommend the wheel to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Edco SIX-4s offer good aerodynamic benefits, especially for those who are riding or racing individually, and are a decent weight for such deep section wheels.
Age: 41 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
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