Cadex launches the Max 50 wheel system and aero tyre: a 1290g, 50mm hookless setup built for integration. Bladed spokes, redesigned hubs, and “system thinking” hint at a bigger Giant aero move.
Cadex has unveiled its new Max 50 wheel system and matching aero tyre, a 1290g package built around what the brand calls “system thinking.”
(Credit: Giant Bicycle Company)
On paper, it is a high-end evolution: 50mm hookless carbon rims with a 22.4mm internal width, paired to a purpose-built tyre designed to smooth airflow at the wheel-tyre interface and improve crosswind stability.
(Credit: Giant Bicycle company)
The update also introduces bladed carbon spokes and a redesigned hub flange, using Cadex’s Dynamic Balanced Lacing to increase bracing angle and stabilize spoke tension under load.
The brand promises sharper acceleration, improved power transfer, and a more direct feel during sprints.
Cadex operates under Giant Manufacturing Co., and it has been two years since Giant last updated its flagship aero platform, the Propel Advanced SL. Modern aero development is integrated: frame tube profiles, fork shapes, tyre clearances, and rim depths are engineered together.
When a brand overhauls its top-tier wheel platform and emphasizes integration, it often signals something bigger.
With the Tour de France approaching, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether a revised Giant aero bike debuts alongside the new wheels.