Test: At the beginning of the year, the German impeller manufacturer Leeze presented its latest achievement in impeller development, the WASO technology. We tested the Leeze CC 58 Disc WASO all-round wheelset with precisely this innovative technology.
After seven years of experience in wheel building, it was time for something new at Leeze. After a 12-month development phase, a new product line of Leeze wheels was launched at the beginning of the year. The highlight is the new WASO technology. The innovative rim shape should ensure the best aerodynamics, rigidity and low weight.
Leeze CC 58 Disc WASO Technology
With the new "WASO technology" Leeze presents a new generation of wheels with its own innovative rim shape. Everything made in Germany, of course. This technology should represent a milestone in the company's seven-year history. The aim of the development was to optimize each wheel set for its intended use in terms of weight, aerodynamics and stiffness.
This new technology is called Weight Aero Stiffness Optimized (WASO). Together with Eric Helter, a real name in the field of aerodynamics engineers, the company from the Münsterland took the next step. The focus was on digital calculations and tests and only a few necessary wind tunnel tests were carried out.
“With digital analyses, the rim profiles can be tested much more efficiently and, above all, no less reliably for the most important variables. No wind tunnel test manages to realistically map these diverse variables in an efficient way.” – Frank Decker, who manages business at Leeze together with his companion Florian Otterpohl.
With new, well-known partners, the ROAD and DISC rims as well as the DISC and MTB hubs could now be produced in Germany, so a large proportion of the products will be Made in Germany from 2019. Thanks to shorter and more direct communication as well as the highest production standards, production and further development can now be carried out faster and even more precisely according to the strict Leeze quality specifications.
“We took the time last year to plan the expansion and alignment of our new product portfolio and ultimately also of Leeze. We are very proud of the result.” – Florian Otterpohl
Leeze CC 58 Disc WASO - The all-rounder with new technology
On paper alone, the Leeze CC 58 Disc WASO offers a promising combination of aerodynamics, stiffness and weight based on its values. Of course we were excited and wanted to put the plain black rims to the test.
When installed, the wheels really make an impression with their design and shape and are a real eye-catcher. But the performance also impressed us from the first meters. With just 1550 grams and a rim height of 58mm, we didn't let it take us to reel off a few meters in altitude. In addition to the weight, the good stiffness and good power transmission are also noticeable uphill. Especially when pedaling out of the saddle, the wheel seems to have hardly any play and to convert the power directly into propulsion. From a speed of over 20 km/h you can even feel the good rolling characteristics of the Leeze CC 58 Disc WASO wheels on the mountain.
After a brisk uphill ride with about 700 meters of altitude difference, we were of course already looking forward to the descent. Here we could really let it rip and benefit from the good aerodynamics of the wheels. The handling is very precise and the running smoothness is first class, but you should be a bit careful with oncoming trucks or strong crosswinds, as the high rim can always catch a bit of air and cause slight wobbles. The WASO technology has also improved this problem compared to the previous models and minimized the susceptibility to side winds.
The Leeze CC 58 Disc WASO feels right at home on the level and is happy when it can run there without restrictions. Here he shows his full strength and rolls like crazy. Due to the high rim, the carbon wheelset offers the best aerodynamics and the hubs run smoothly with little resistance.
https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2019/02/produktnews-leeze-mit-neuer-produktlinie-und-waso-technologie/
