Ere Research Omnia CLR45 review | BikeRadar

The Ere Research Omnia CLR45 wheelset is a modern all-round carbon wheelset that just sneaks under the £1,000 / €1,000 price point.

It can count among its strengths a composed ride quality, predictable handling characteristics, plus an entertainingly fast freehub pickup. Those who don’t need the most agile-feeling wheelset upgrade, take note.

That said, it doesn’t pull up any trees, with middle-of-the-road rim dimensions, while its weight is a factor some may not be able to dismiss – especially given some of its competition.

Throw in the fact that it’s more expensive than some very good rivals and it falls shy of being one of the very best road bike wheels.

The Ere Research Omnia CLR45 is the brand’s least expensive carbon wheelset, sitting under the Genus line.

Like the alloy Explorator GCR40 wheelset, the Omnia CLR45 is designed primarily for the road, but with one eye on light gravel riding.

A 21mm internal rim width is designed to support tyres up to 57mm wide, according to Ere Research, although it recommends 700x26-30c rubber for the best overall performance.

The 28mm external rim width is also contemporary, although not the widest of the group I tested it alongside.

45mm-deep rims were chosen to offer a blend of aerodynamic efficiency and stability in crosswinds, while Ere Research claims vibration damping and absorption are among their main strengths.

The rims are laced to the brand’s ‘Iona S’ hubs by Sapim CX Leader straight-pull spokes. Because these don’t require a fairing plate in which to fit J-bend spokes, the hub shell appears relatively sleek in design.

The flanges are said to be angled to better absorb the forces running through the hubs, but Ere Research claims it has shaved as much weight out of the shell as it can, while preserving strength.

The hubs spin on sealed SKF steel bearings, although the brand says these can be upgraded to ceramic bearings upon request.

The freehub uses a four-pawl design, with the internal ratchet ring featuring 48 teeth. This brings about a 7.5-degree engagement angle – the lowest among its test cohort.

That said, it’s among the heaviest on test at 1,654g (including pre-fitted tubeless rim tape and valves) – well above the claimed weight of 1,560g. Of the group, only the Giant SLR 2 50 wheelset is heavier, at 1,681g.

Weight certainly isn’t the be-all and end-all – aerodynamics are generally more important in determining performance on most terrain – but the Hunt 50 Carbon Disc (1,488g) and Velocite Hyperdrive Carbon 50mm (1,477g) are both significantly lighter, yet a little deeper.

They’re also cheaper, especially in the UK, at £799 / $999 / €999 and £699 / $935 / €819, respectively.

Ere Research supplies spare spokes in the box, and covers the Omnia CLR45 with its lifetime crash-replacement scheme. This offers a 50 per cent discount on a replacement rim if it’s not safely rideable.

Setting up the Ere Research Omnia CLR45 wheels with tubeless tyres was a trouble-free experience – my mule 28mm-wide Continental GP5000 S TRs slipped over the rim with a final pry of a tyre lever and seated with some enthusiastic pumping of my standard track pump.

Fitting TPU inner tubes for my on-the-road testing was similarly easy.

Overall, I found the wheelset performed well when faced with flatter routes, feeling like a marked aerodynamic upgrade over shallow alloy rims.

It’s harder to discern a difference between it and the 50mm-deep wheelsets on test, although it feels as if it gives up a little at higher speeds compared to the Hunt and Velocite competitors.

The sensation of weight is also notable, in that the wheels don’t feel as agile as those lighter wheels. It’s possible this is down to the rim design, which might be carrying proportionately more weight compared to its rivals, given Ere Research claims it has shaved weight from the hub.

Whether this results in lower speed (or increased effort) over the course of a ride is debatable, but the experience doesn’t feel as sharp and responsive as it might if the wheels were 200g lighter.

There are upsides to this, though.

It took the gustiest of crosswinds to unsettle the wheels, which I’d expect even with the most modern rim designs today, and road buzz is very well managed.

I could stretch to calling the ride experience ‘muted’ – certainly, the sensations through my Fairlight Strael 3.0 felt as dulled as any of the wheels I was testing – but it’s important to note there’s enough transmission to instil confidence in the grip of the tyres.

I prefer a more informative ride and am willing to forgo some buzz reduction to get it, but the same can’t be said for everyone. If road-buzz absorption and a composed, ‘quiet’-feeling ride is what you’re after, you’ll probably enjoy the Omnia CLR45s.

Pickup from the freehub is also enticingly quick, and goes some way to masking the weight when you hammer over or up a steep rise.

The pawl freehub system offers a higher-pitched, less throaty noise compared to the ratchet systems on test, though, which may or may not appeal to you.

I’ve enjoyed testing the Ere Research Omnia CLR45 wheelset – fundamentally, it delivers on all-round performance for the price point.

Some may wish for a more progressive wheelset, though. Given you can get lighter, deeper and wider rims for less (although only one case of all three together, in the Hunt 50 Carbon Disc), the Omnia CLR45 can’t be considered a standout contender.

That said, it is one of the most impressive for a stable and cosseting ride quality. If that’s important to you, these are a good option.