Germany’s Lightweight has introduced new Meilenstein Art wheels with 45mm deep rims and a total claimed weight of just 1,190g, but if you’re thinking of treating yourself to a pair, be warned: you’re looking at a price of £6,000.
Lightweight has been around since the early 1990s, and its wheels were used by the likes of Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich in their famous Tour de France battles, and more recently by WorldTour teams such as Ineos Grenadiers. What’s unusual is that Lightweight has always said that it doesn’t supply top athletes with its wheels as a means of promotion in the usual sponsorship way; if a rider/team uses Lightweight wheels in the Tour de France, they’ve been bought and paid for. That in itself helps with the prestige and desirability.
> Team Ineos riding Lightweight wheels at the 2019 Tour de France
Now, Lightweight has released the new Meilenstein Art wheels after what it says is four years of development. They’re designed to be all-rounders, balancing aerodynamics, low weight and stiffness, and suitable for everything from steep climbs to fast sprints.
Lightweight says, “At the heart of the new wheel is a completely re-engineered rim architecture, using the breakthrough Alpha Rib Technology, a patented internal rib structure that unlocks a wider, more aerodynamic profile while increasing stiffness and reducing weight.”
Instead of a traditional hollow structure, Alpha Rib Technology uses ribs inside the rim cavity, designed to increase lateral stiffness.
“Alpha Rib Technology also transforms the spoke interface. Carbon fibre spokes are directly bonded into the internal rib structure, eliminating bends or directional changes and preserving the natural load path of the fibres,” says Lightweight.
“This maximises tensile strength, reduces material fatigue, and creates a more direct connection between rider and road.
“What emerges is a rim that is lighter, stiffer, and more structurally efficient. It is a defining step in composite wheel technology.”
A key feature of the build process is a removable core material used during manufacturing, which can be reused after curing, improving sustainability.
Lightweight says, “The result is Lightweight’s most advanced wheelset to date, a perfect intersection of aerodynamics, construction, and control for riders who expect the highest performance possible.”
That profile is 28.6mm wide (external), while the inner rim width is 22.9mm. It’s said to be engineered for tyres that are 28mm and wider. The tubeless-ready rims are 45mm front and rear, and they’re hooked. In terms of weight, Lightweight claims 550g (front) and 640g (rear), giving a total of 1,190g (+/-3%).
Lightweight says that the aerodynamic performance was refined using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations, DoE (design of experiments) techniques, and wind tunnel testing. Nothing unusual there.
Each wheel is said to use over 500 metres of carbon fibre and 70 precision-cut plies.
“A hybrid of automated and manual processes ensures material is placed only where needed, improving consistency and reducing waste,” says Lightweight.
The aluminium hubs feature Lightweight’s Penta-Fly system with DT Swiss EXP 180 internals. Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo freehubs are available. The 20 full-carbon spokes (front and rear) are bonded directly to the hubs and run rim to rim – a famous Lightweight feature. In other words, each spoke runs in a continuous line from one side of the rim, through the hub, to the other side.
“This uninterrupted structure removes the need for weight-adding components like nipples and threads, which can loosen and wear over time,” says Lightweight. “By keeping the carbon fibres straight and under constant tension, the spokes retain full tensile strength, maximising stiffness, durability, and load-bearing performance.”
The standard version of the Lightweight Meilenstein Art wheelset comes with silver decals and steel bearings and is priced £5,999.99. The Schwarz Ed features black decals and CeramicSpeed bearings and is £6,499.99.
Lightweight’s UK distributor is Windwave, but it doesn’t yet have stock.
3 thoughts on “Lightweight introduces 1,190g Meilenstein Art wheelset… priced at £6,000”
I’ve been a huge fan of
I’ve been a huge fan of Lightweight for a long time, and I’m glad to see they’re continuing the tradition with this new release. It’s very useful to be able to quickly identify the riders you don’t need to worry about.
The big innovation I’m
The big innovation I’m looking for from Lightweigth is their typeface – previously the worst piece of typography in cycling, they desperately need something more aero and compliant to compete with the big boys. That’s got to be worth another €1000 on the price tag so they can be even more ridiculously overpriced!
Imagine discovering your £5
Imagine discovering your £5,999 wheelset isn’t up-market enough for ceramic bearings.