The Van Rysel VR 50 wheelset is a compelling choice for those looking to upgrade to carbon without a large, four-figure price tag. The wheels offer a solid blend of modern features, reputable components, and good performance for the price, making them a strong contender in the value-for-money category.

Ride quality and performance

The ride quality of the VR 50s is solid and what you’d hope from a wheelset in this price range. They feel stiff enough to transfer power efficiently and provide a comfortable ride on a variety of road surfaces. The 50mm rim depth offers aerodynamic gains compared to a standard aluminium wheel, making them a great choice for flat to rolling terrain where you want to maintain speed.

The claimed weight of 1550g was slightly off, with the pair tipping the scales at 1604g, albeit with rim tape. Nonetheless, this still makes them reasonably light, albeit they aren’t class-leading in this area.

2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rim logo.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rim detail.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - spoke nipple.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rim bed.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - front hub.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rear hub.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - spoke nipple 2.jpg2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset.jpg

The wheels held up well to extensive riding in all sorts of conditions, remaining true and showing no signs of damage. This speaks to their durability and robustness, which is a significant plus for a wheelset designed to handle both road and gravel use.

2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - front hub.jpg
2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - front hub (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

I’ve found that they’re pleasant to ride in all conditions, not being particularly bad for catching the wind, while feeling like they’re giving you a bit of a gain compared to shallower wheels in terms of aerodynamics.

2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rim bed.jpg
2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rim bed (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

There’s enough compliance in the wheels to take some of the harshness out of the UK roads but without feeling like a piece of cooked spaghetti. They are pretty stiff and it feels like the power you’re putting in gets through to the road without a bunch of waste.

Technical specifications and features

A major selling point is the use of a DT Swiss 370 hub with the well-renowned ratchet system. This is a very reliable and easily serviceable component, which is a huge bonus compared to a generic, unbranded hub. The hub is notably quiet. I personally prefer a noisier hub, but that’s down to personal preference.

2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rear hub.jpg
2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - rear hub (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

A minor drawback is the use of J-bend spokes, which can look less premium than straight-pull spokes and can add a little bit of weight.

The VR 50s feature a modern 22mm internal rim width, which is a versatile size. My experience confirms that while 25mm tires sit nice and flush, 35mm tires bulge a little. I would say the sweet spot for optimum performance is likely in the 28-30mm range.

2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - spoke nipple 2.jpg
2025 Van Rysel VR50 wheelset - spoke nipple 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The tubeless setup is very easy, thanks to a well-taped rim out of the box. Van Rysel do also include valves, so you just need tyres and sealant and you’re away.

Value and conclusion

Priced at £799.99, the Van Rysel VR 50 wheelset represents pretty great value. It significantly undercuts many Western brands while still delivering a high-quality product with components from a respected name like DT Swiss. While you could find cheaper carbon wheels from less-known Chinese brands, the VR 50s offer a level of reassurance and serviceability that will make them a more appealing option for many riders.

Van Rysel offers a 2-year warranty with these wheels, with their first choice being to repair any defects, should they be able to. This is only against manufacturer’s defects though, so any crashes will leave you on your own.

> Best road bike wheels 2025 — upgrade your bike with some shiny new hoops

If your budget can stretch to £999, the Scribe Core Superlight 60-D is an impressive wheelset, coming in at 1486g, and boasting a 60mm rim depth. Stu was very impressed with these wheels, which he felt ticked almost all the boxes. The performance to price ratio is really impressive and they should definitely be in the mix. 

If you’re after pure value, the Velocite Hyperdrive 50 wheelset is available for £749. This is an impressive wheelset at an impressive price. Stu found the only downside to be the pretty narrow rim width compared with some other modern options. 

Ultimately, the Van Rysel VR 50 wheels are a great option for someone looking to get into carbon rims without breaking the bank. They offer a great balance of performance, durability, and a reasonable weight for the price, making them a great choice for anyone looking to up their riding experience.

Verdict

A high quality, well made and well performing wheelset at an impressive price.

All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Van Rysel VR50 wheelset (weight with tape and without valves)

Size tested: 50mm. Front wheel: 700g, rear wheel: 850g.

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?

Van Rysel says: “Increase the performance of your road or gravel bike with VR 50 carbon wheels, the perfect blend of aerodynamics and lightness.”

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the wheel?

Pair of VR 50 Carbon 700c wheels [12×100 -12×142]

Rim height: 50mm

Carbon rim with hooks compatible with tubeless and tube type tyres

Brakes: Disc centerlock

Internal width: 22TC

External width: 30mm

Hub: DT Swiss DT370 Classic

Cassette body: DT Swiss Ratchet LN: Shimano HG/Sram XDR

Spokes:24 stainless steel – double butted flat 2/1.6/2

Front wheel spoke length: 261L/262R (mm)

Rear wheel spoke length: 258R/259L (mm)

Weight: 1550g (pair)

Rate the wheel for quality of construction:
 
8/10

They feel well made and put together and they run true which is good.

Rate the wheel for performance:
 
7/10

Not the lightest out there, but you wouldn’t expect it for the price. They feel stiff and responsive though.

Rate the wheel for durability:
 
7/10

So far they’re still running true, and with things like the DT Swiss hubs, replacement parts and spares will be reasonably easy to come by.

Rate the wheel for weight
 
7/10

If you spend a bit more, you can find lighter wheels, but for the price it’s very impressive.

Rate the wheel for value:
 
8/10

These wheels are really impressively priced.

Did the wheels stay true? Any issues with spoke tension?

I’ve had no issues. They’ve held up really well to some hard use, staying nice and true.

How easy did you find it to fit tyres?

Straightforward. They were easy to fit and easy to set up tubeless.

How did the wheel extras (eg skewers and rim tape) perform?

Rim tape is great – needed no extra faff to set up tubeless.

Tell us how the wheel performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They perform well, give you an extra aerodynamic advantage whilst providing enough compliance to be comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the wheel

I like the price and use of a known, popular hubset.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the wheel

I wish the freehub was a bit louder.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It’s on the cheaper end, by quite some margin. There’s not many options which come in any cheaper which boast the same qualities.

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

A well made, high quality and dependable set of carbon wheels, which don’t break the bank.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 174  Weight: 78

I usually ride: Storck Aerfast   My best bike is:

I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, touring, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,