I have the pleasure to introduce you, after long months of testing under extremely varied conditions, an article about the SwissSide Hadron Ultimate 800, a top-of-the-range wheelset intended for the time trial above all. A real gem of technology offered by the brand which sets a benchmark in the field of aerodynamics, and which is based in particular on the experience of Jean-Paul Ballard, Formula engineer 1 pendant 14 years, to develop its products.
SwissSide has made aerodynamic drag hunting its workhorse, with some success, since its models are found at the highest level of road cycling, but also triathlon. His products have been used by Marlen Reusser during his European time trial title recently.. So this is the tire and pad braking version of the 80mm wheels that I am going to present to you today., after a long-term test which allowed me to push these wheels to their limits, whether in training or in competition.
Finish, aesthetics and assembly
At first glance, we are indeed dealing with a very large product, an impression that confirms the reputation of the Swiss brand recognized for its cutting-edge work and high-end products. The details are very careful, no imperfection is visible and the design is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful I have seen. The 80mm rims are of course a very nice effect and immediately give off an impression of power and aggressiveness. The components are all of high quality, allowing to offer an exceptional set that will not fail to offer maximum performance.
Mounting, I decided to go for 23mm front and 25mm rear tires, an ideal compromise in terms of wind resistance and rolling resistance. It is of course necessary to provide valve extenders to be able to inflate the tires., also note that the wheels are tubeless compatible. I opted for a cassette with staging in 11-25, more than enough to take them on varied training outings and especially to get the most out of them during the timed efforts on which they excel.
First impressions on the road
Despite a model primarily intended for the time trial, I decided to take a tour of its characteristics by taking these wheels on outings with very varied profiles, ranging from winter endurance sessions to interval training sessions. Perfect way to pin those SwissSide Hadron Ultimate out of their comfort zone. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which I was able to evolve once the wheels were mounted on my road bike.. Inertia is obviously very important, and the wheels offer little jerkiness with high crosswind grip, but when you understand how to get the most out of it, they can then easily be used on a daily basis for all types of effort.
The big surprise lies in the management of the crosswind, sometimes problematic on rims of these dimensions. Here, despite the 80mm height, you can go out in all weathers without fear of being destabilized by gusts of wind or going downhill. The stability is quite impressive and deserves to be highlighted. Only small riders could possibly have difficulty operating their machine in difficult conditions., but there again, nothing crippling. A nice surprise then, which is accompanied by quite interesting comfort. Don't expect wheels that filter 100% reliefs of the road, because that is obviously not their function. However, we are in the presence of a relatively versatile model that knows how to adapt to all outings despite its impressive dimensions.
Tailored for the time trial
No need to specify it, these are of course wheels intended for the time trial in the first place, and it is therefore in this area that I spent the most time to provide you with the most precise feedback possible. So I rode the SwissSide Hadron Ultimate 800 on my Canyon Speedmax, that I took on very specific, very high intensity sessions, as well as on efforts of up to 1h30 in stopwatch position. And there, we must admit that the sensations are exceptional. Once properly positioned on your machine and launched at 40-45kmh, we can finally measure the performance offered by these wheels and the precision with which they have been developed. Aerodynamics is ideal, and the wheels offer a very important inertia which makes it possible to maintain these sustained speeds with a minimum of effort. The stability of the whole is very appreciable, all the more so when you know how difficult it is to hold a time trial position when the wind is strong.
For exemple, I was able to do a preparation session for the regional time trial championship on uncovered portions, a day when the wind was sometimes blowing at more than 50kmh, without feeling any real difficulty in maintaining the position due to excessive wind resistance, which would have been impossible for example with a lenticular wheel. In my opinion, these wheels offer the ideal compromise between aerodynamics and wind resistance, thanks to this expertly studied 80mm profile.
The weight is finally quite contained for a model of this type (1727g) and allows to maneuver ideally on all rolling courses, even hilly. Of course, don't plan to take them to the mountains and beat all your records, they are not made for that. Generally, these are very efficient wheels on the flat, the preferred effort being at more than 40km / h on a smooth road. But we can easily take them on quite varied efforts, which is very appreciable on a model of this range. The brake track provides good grip, without being its greatest quality, the objective being of course to brake as little as possible on the events for which the wheels are intended. However, it is a question of braking which remains safe and which makes it possible to slow down effectively despite the significant gyratory effect of the wheels.
My opinion
Globally, these wheels are an ideal compromise for timed efforts, thanks to their 80mm profile. Stability against the wind is undoubtedly their strong point., as well as their output at high speed of course. These wheels can be used on all terrains and offer a safe ride in addition to being efficient, as well as a rigidity that allows a high level of power transfer, including during revivals and violent accelerations.
For this price, difficult to imagine a better compromise, since the model is one tone lower in terms of price of more expensive competing models, while offering relatively comparable performance. This is also the great strength of the Swiss brand created in 2011, which quickly made a name for itself thanks to its business model based on online sales which allows it to lower its costs. I found these wheels to be very consistent compared to expectations, and I had no bad surprises in use, despite the hundreds of kilometers traveled with.
I loved
Stability in all weather
Cutting-edge aerodynamics
Versatility
Manufacturing quality
Value for money
I least liked
The relative heaviness on the hill, but that's good because there was a need for a negative point !
Note : 9,5/10
Technical sheet
Mark : SwissSide
Model : Hadron Ultimate 800
Braking : on rim
wheels : carbone 80mm
Weight : 1727g the pair (791g before / 936g rear)
Spokes : DT Swiss Aerolight / Aerocomp Straightpull, 16 at the front and 21 in back
Bearings : Sinc (ceramic)
Price : 2288€ (available at 1831 €)
