Scribe's 65mm Élan Ultras: The Fastest UCI-Compliant Wheelsets on the Market

Scribe Introduces New Wheelsets with Enhanced Performance and Value

Since its launch in 2019, Scribe has been known for crafting wheels that strike a perfect balance between performance and affordability. The brand has consistently offered a wide range of products that cater to various cycling disciplines. Recently, I had the opportunity to test both the Tempus Disc/100 wheelset and the Élan SL 50+ wheelset, and I was thoroughly impressed by their performance, value, and overall contribution to the road bike wheels market.

Scribe has recently gained attention for its wind-tunnel testing data, particularly regarding the Tempus TT wheels. Now, the new Élan Ultras are being touted as some of the fastest UCI-compliant wheelsets available. The 65mm model weighs just 1,289g, while the 50mm version is even lighter at 1,100g. Alongside the Élan Ultras, Scribe is also launching the more affordable Ultra Core range, which features aero steel spokes but maintains the same rim profiles and architecture.

The Ultra range is built around two popular rim depths: 50mm and 65mm. Both wheelsets are impressively light, with the Élan Ultra 5 weighing in at a remarkable 1,149g and the Élan Ultra 6 at 1,289g. These models utilize Scribe's new OSL8 carbon spokes, which have a unique wavy design and are laced in a 20/20 front-rear pattern. This design is claimed to offer an optimal blend of stiffness, compliance, and aerodynamic efficiency. The OSL8 spoke measures 5.7mm in width and oscillates left to right, hence the name "OSL8."

Scribe conducted independent wind tunnel testing at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub. The results suggest that these are the fastest bladed spokes available. When tested against a flat 5mm bladed carbon spoke, the company reported improvements of 0.5W (0°), 0.5W (5°), 0.4W (10°), and 0.2W (15°) at 45km/h. However, whether this is relevant in a market where carbon-bladed spokes are now typically around 3mm wide remains to be seen. More data is expected later this month, and we will delve into it once it becomes available.

In addition to the Élan models, Scribe is introducing the Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 6, which are available in the same rim depths. Unlike the Élan models, the Core Ultra wheels use Italian-made Alpina aero steel spokes, resulting in slightly higher weights of 1,338g (Core Ultra 5) and 1,486g (Core Ultra 6). According to Scribe, the 65mm version is set to be the fastest UCI-compliant wheelset currently on the market.

With the growing trend towards wider tires, Scribe has designed the Elan Ultra range with contemporary 24mm (internal) and 30mm (external) hooked rim profiles. These rims are built to work well with 28-30mm tires, providing excellent tire support.

Both the Élan and Core Ultra wheelsets feature the same TPI ceramic bearings and hub assemblies, ensuring consistent quality and performance across the product line.

Pricing for the Élan Ultra and Core Ultra ranges is competitive, with the Élan Ultra priced at £1,999 / $2,599 / €2,299 and the Core Ultra at £1,499 / $1,999 / €1,699. These wheelsets will be available for purchase starting in January 2026.