Light, stiff and uncompromising: with the Max GXR, CADEX bring their road racing pedigree to gravel, and no other wheelset on test weighs less. A one-piece hub and spoke construction and exceptionally narrow rims underline its single-minded focus on performance. But is such an extreme lightweight approach enough to come out on top in our big gravel wheel group test?This wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.CADEX Max GXR | 1,302 g | 3,799 | Manufacturer websiteFew brands know light, stiff wheels as well as CADEX. Owned by GIANT and firmly established in the professional peloton, the premium brand already impressed us with the CADEX 50 Ultra, which stood out as one of the most direct and fastest wheelsets in our big 2024 aero wheel group test. The Max GXR applies the same philosophy to gravel, putting minimal weight and maximum stiffness ahead of rim width. In a field increasingly dominated by ultra-wide aero designs, that makes it the clear outlier.Featherweight The CADEX Carbon Gravel Wheelset in DetailEvery gram counts with the CADEX Max GXR, and the scales prove it. At just 1,302 g, theyre the lightest wheels in the entire test field, undercutting even CADEXs claimed weight of 1,320 g including rim tape and valves. Both rims are 50 mm deep and feature an unusual tulip-shaped profile thats wide near the tire before tapering sharply inwards. With a 25 mm internal width and 35 mm external width, theyre among the narrowest rims on test. As a result, our 45 mm Continental Competition control tire stays at precisely 45.0 mm. The hookless rims feature 5 mm wide sidewalls designed to protect against pinch flats. CADEX developed the wheels alongside their own GXR tires from the GIANT family.One-piece The spokes and hub are bonded together to form a single carbon unit.Tulip shape Wide at the rim edge and narrow below, this rim profile is unlike anything else in the test.Wide Guard The 5 mm wide hookless rim walls are designed to protect against pinch flats.CADEX take an equally unconventional approach to the spokes, using unusually wide carbon spokes, 16 at the front and 24 at the rear, bonded directly to the R3-C60 hubs. The hubs run on ceramic bearings and use a 60-tooth ratchet mechanism. As with the CADEX 50 Ultra, the freehub produces a slightly shrill note even when new, and we suspect it will grate more over time. Visually, the carbon spokes and hubs are a standout, bordering on a work of art. At 3,799, however, the feel and finish fall short of expectations. The rest of the package is more convincing, with CADEX offering registered original owners a lifetime warranty and five years of crash replacement cover.Featherweight At just 1,302 g on our scales, no other wheelset in the test is lighter.Broad blades The exceptionally wide carbon spokes deliver stiffness and a noticeable sail effect in crosswinds.Flat Out or Nothing The CADEX Max GXR on TestWithin the first few metres, the CADEX make their intentions crystal clear. Acceleration is outstanding, with the low weight and arguably the highest stiffness in the entire test field making every effort feel immediate, explosive and genuinely exciting. On tarmac and fast gravel, the CADEX dive confidently into corners with impressive agility, delivering something close to a criterium racing experience.The downside of all that stiffness becomes obvious as soon as the terrain gets rougher. Compliance is just about acceptable, but youll need to lower the tire pressure to prevent the ride from becoming excessively harsh. On rough gravel and trails, the CADEX struggle to keep up. Their extreme stiffness sends them bouncing from one obstacle to the next, throwing you around even at low tire pressures. The tire sits securely on the narrow rim, but it doesnt feel quite as grippy as it does on wider alternatives.Light, Narrow, Fast? The CADEX Max GXR in the Wind TunnelOut on the road, the CADEX impress above all with their low weight and direct handling. But how much aerodynamic performance can you expect from those narrow, tulip-shaped rims? Subjectively, not a great deal. They dont feel particularly aerodynamic into a headwind, although the wide carbon spokes provide a noticeable little push in crosswinds.The wind tunnel paints a more encouraging picture. With a rider on board at 36 km/h, the CADEX require 1.6 W less power than our reference wheelset, the DT Swiss GRC 1100. That translates to an 11.5-second advantage over 40 km, although the difference remains within the measurement tolerance. The tire may help explain the result: we always measure the wheel and tire as a complete system, and on the narrow CADEX rims, the Continental Competition measures just 45.0 mm, presenting a smaller frontal area to the wind.Conclusions about the CADEX Max GXRNo wheelset in this test sprints like the CADEX Max GXR. The lightest contender in the field accelerates and responds with outstanding urgency on smooth gravel and tarmac, and its bonded carbon hub and spoke construction is as impressive technically as it is visually. Rough terrain exposes the other side of that focus: compliance and composure are in short supply, and the finish falls short of the premium price. But for racers with 3,799 to spend and smooth, fast courses in mind, the CADEX offers performance without compromise, along with a lifetime warranty to protect the investment.TopsLightest wheelset in the testExplosive acceleration and precise handlingUnique one-piece hub and spoke constructionLifetime warranty and incident replacementFlopsLimited compliance and composure on rough terrainFinish doesn't quite match the priceMore information at cadex-cycling.com.The Test FieldThis wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.All wheels on test: CADEX Max GXR | DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro | Fulcrum Sharq GR | HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD | Leeze CH 60 PRO GX | Light Bicycle AG48 | NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | OQUO RP50LTD CS | Reserve 48|53 GR | Roval Terra Aero CLX | Vision SC 45 i30 | Zipp 303 XPLR SWDer Beitrag CADEX Max GXR Gravel Wheelset on Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.