Columbus has built its reputation over decades as a premier supplier of steel tubing to frame builders and cycling manufacturers worldwide. So when the Italian brand announced it was entering the carbon road wheel market with a full lineup of four models, it caught the industry completely off guard.
Earlier this year, Victor Luis, chairman of both Columbus and Cinelli, hinted during a conversation that the company was putting the finishing touches on a wheelset project as part of a broader expansion into Columbus-branded components. Even so, few would have predicted that one of cycling’s most storied steel tubing specialists would venture into high-performance carbon wheels in 2026. Yet that is precisely what has happened with the arrival of the Cento, Gara and Spirit wheelsets.
These new wheels come with rim profiles tailored for contemporary wide road tires, along with impressive technical features at prices that should turn heads.
Luis commented: “For more than a hundred years, Columbus has stood for Italian craftsmanship and engineering excellence. We were among the first to explore carbon tubing, and now, following extensive research and demanding testing protocols, we are thrilled to broaden our Columbus Components lineup to serve the precise demands of performance-oriented brands, frame builders and discerning riders around the globe. Our mission remains unchanged: delivering outstanding performance paired with uncompromising Milanese design.”
Shared Rim Architecture
All four wheelsets are built around a rim shape created by Columbus’s internal engineering division. The hooked profile measures 23mm internally and is designed specifically for tires ranging from 28mm to 30mm, though Columbus confirms that road tires up to 35mm will also work. Every rim shares a 30mm external width. Three of the models come in a 50mm depth, while the Cento is additionally offered in a 62mm version aimed at time trial specialists.
Cento 50: Performance Meets Practicality
The Cento 50 strikes a balance between competitive performance and long-term durability. Priced at €1,599, it delivers considerable value. The 50mm rim is paired with Columbus’s proprietary hubset featuring straight-pull spokes and machined flanges. The freehub uses a dual-sided 36-tooth ratchet mechanism that provides quick 9-degree engagement. Ceramic bearings come as standard, and the wheels are laced with 21 Vonoa carbon spokes at both front and rear. Columbus claims a total weight of 1,440g per pair. Our test set tipped the scales at 647g front and 799g rear, totaling 1,446g with tubeless valves and tape included.
Cento 62: Deeper Profile, Same Value
The 62mm variant of the Cento retains the same ceramic bearings and carbon spokes but adopts a deeper rim profile. Columbus quotes a weight of 1,470g per pair, which stacks up favorably against competitors. For reference, Zipp’s 404 Firecrest at 58mm deep carries a claimed weight of 1,470g and retails at £1,688 / $2,005 / €1,899. The Cento 62 is priced identically to the 50mm version at €1,599.
Spirit: The Lightweight Champion
The Spirit represents the lightest option in the Columbus lineup. It utilizes a full-carbon hubshell with integrated carbon spokes, mirroring the approach taken by premium wheelsets from brands like Cadex and Syncros. The Aero hub design employs a single-cast monocoque construction with carbon spokes bonded directly to the hub flanges. According to Columbus, the Spirit 50 is engineered to give riders an advantage on mountain climbs, thanks to its claimed 1,249g weight, while still offering the aerodynamic benefits of a 50mm-deep rim. The Spirit-specific rim incorporates hidden nipples for its 18-spoke system and ceramic bearings. It carries a price tag of €3,999.
Gara: Endurance Meets Innovation
The Gara 50 was developed through a partnership between Columbus and DT Swiss. It is positioned as an endurance wheelset, blending long-distance comfort with high durability. Built around DT Swiss 240 hubs, it features innovative internal nipple seats constructed from glass-fibre reinforced polymer, which ensures precise alignment and minimizes stress on the rim. Like the Spirit and Cento, the Gara uses Vonoa carbon spokes, this time paired with titanium spoke nipples. With a claimed weight of 1,315g, these endurance-focused wheels are remarkably light for a 50mm depth. At €2,399, the Gara undercuts rivals such as Zipp’s 454 NSW at £3,400 / $4,200 / €3,600, or Hunt’s 5AM Limitless Ti UD Carbon Spoke wheels at £2,489 / $3,199 with the ceramic bearing upgrade.
