MEILENSTEIN ART

A new benchmark of performance engineering

  • Alpha Rib Technology
  • Rim-to-Rim Design
  • Made in Germany
Hero image of the MEILENSTEIN ART carbon wheel with carbon spokes and Lightweight logo at the top of the rim.
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Cyclist descending through a mountain tunnel on a road bike with MEILENSTEIN ART wheels, surrounded by rocky cliffs and scenic peaks.

A NEW ERA OF ENGINEERING

Four years in the making, the new Lightweight wheelset signals a new era in carbon wheel engineering.

Every part of the process has been rethought, rebuilt, and refined. At its core is a completely reengineered rim architecture, reinforced with Alpha Rib Technology. This patented internal rib structure unlocks a wider, more aerodynamic profile while increasing stiffness and reducing weight. A combination once thought impossible, now achieved.

This is Lightweight’s most advanced wheelset yet. With the perfect intersection of aerodynamics, construction, and control, it is built for riders who demand nothing less than peak performance.



3D model of MEILENSTEIN ART wheel showing internal rib structure and direct spoke bonding enabled by ART - Alpha Rib Technology.

ART - ALPHA RIB TECHNOLOGY

The MEILENSTEIN ART rim is built on Alpha Rib Technology (ART), a breakthrough born from Lightweight’s pioneering work in composite engineering.

Rather than a traditional hollow structure, ART integrates a network of structural ribs inside the rim cavity. This internal architecture dramatically increases lateral stiffness, reinforcing the profile against side loads, and ensuring razor-sharp handling and efficient power transfer.

ART also transforms the spoke interface. Carbon fiber spokes are directly bonded into the internal rib structure, eliminating unnecessary bends and preserving the natural load path of the fibers. This allows for greater tensile strength, reduced material fatigue, and a more direct, responsive connection between rider and road.

The result is a rim that is lighter, stiffer, and more structurally efficient. A defining step forward in composite wheel technology.





DRS – DRAG REDUCTION SHAPE

MEILENSTEIN ART is built for speed and stability. With a 23 mm internal width, it’s optimized for wider tires and performs with confidence in every wind condition. The aerodynamic profile slices through headwinds and stays steady in crosswinds for a ride that feels fast, focused, and fully in control.

Straight-on side view of a bicycle wheel showing only the spokes and hub, with the rim barely visible against the dark background.

R2R DESIGN – RIM-TO-RIM DESIGN

R2R, or Rim to Rim, is Lightweight’s proprietary spoke design used in the MEILENSTEIN ART wheelset. Each carbon spoke runs in one continuous line from rim to rim, passing through the hub without any bends, breaks, or mechanical connectors.

PENTA-FLY HUB

The Penta-Fly Hub features oversized flanges that increase lateral and torsional stiffness to support power and control, even during hard acceleration or braking. A compact hub body reduces drag for improved aerodynamic efficiency. The exposed spoke interface reveals the engineering behind the design, with nothing hidden and nothing unnecessary.

Close-up of MEILENSTEIN ART wheel featuring the Penta-Fly Hub with oversized flanges and visible spoke interface.
3D exploded view of MEILENSTEIN ART wheel showing removable core segments used in RCT – Reusable Core Technology.

RCT – REUSABLE CORE TECHNOLOGY

To create the hollow rim and its integrated carbon rib structure, we use a removable core technology. A specially designed core is wrapped in carbon fibers and infused with resin, forming the exact internal geometry required for maximum stiffness and strength. Once cured, the core is carefully extracted, leaving a lightweight hollow structure reinforced by internal ribs. The core material is then recycled and reused in future production, reducing waste while maintaining technical precision.

This process makes it possible to build structurally complex rims with absolute consistency, combining performance engineering with a commitment to sustainable manufacturing.


LCC - LIGHTWEIGHT CUSTOM COMPOSITE

Lightweight Custom Composite is a proprietary material technology developed for minimal weight and maximum performance. Every layer is precisely engineered to deliver the perfect balance of stiffness, responsiveness, and long-term durability. The result is a tailor-made, high-performance composite that enhances efficiency, sharpens ride feel, and meets the highest demands of cycling.

Engineer working on a MEILENSTEIN ART carbon wheel in the Lightweight workshop using a truing stand.

HANDCRAFTED PRECISION
MADE IN GERMANY

Handcrafted Precision reflects the care and craftsmanship behind each Lightweight wheel. Key processes are performed by hand to ensure exceptional consistency and attention to detail. This hands-on approach upholds the highest standards of quality and delivers performance you can trust.

Made in Germany Innovation represents the foundation of Lightweight’s engineering excellence. Developed and produced in Friedrichshafen, every wheel draws on decades of expertise, combining advanced technology with rigorous standards to meet the demands of serious cyclists around the world.

SMOOTH CARBON FINISH

The new MEILENSTEIN ART features a sleek, refined surface unlike anything else in the Lightweight range. Departing from the traditional visible carbon weave, its smooth finish highlights the wheel’s advanced construction and modern aesthetic, giving a clean and distinctive look that reflects the innovation behind it.

VERSIONS

MEILENSTEIN ART is available in two versions. The Standard version features “Lightweight Silver” decals and steel bearings and the Schwarz ED version includes “Lightweight Black” decals and CeramicSpeed bearings.

Photo of the MEILENSTEIN ART Standard with the white decals.

STANDARD

MEILENSTEIN ART wheel detail with white Lightweight logo and visible carbon spokes on transparent background.
Photo of the Meilenstein ART Schwarz ED with the black decals.

SCHWARZ ED

MEILENSTEIN ART wheel detail with black Lightweight logo and visible carbon spokes on transparent background.

TECHNICAL DATA

Decal color

Standard | Schwarz ED

Bearings

Standard: Steel bearings | Schwarz ED: CeramicSpeed bearings

Wheelset Weight

1.190 g (+/- 3%)

Front Wheel Weight

550 g

Rear Wheel Weight

640 g

Rim Depth

45 mm

Internal Rim Width

22,9 mm

External Rim Width

28,6 mm

Rim Design

700C | hooked | closed rim bed

Optimized Tire Size

28 mm +

Tire Type

Tubeless Ready

Spokes

20 Full-Carbon Front/Rear

Hub

Penta-Fly | DT SWISS EXP 180

Freehub Systems

Shimano | Sram | Campa

Brake System

Disc Centerlock

Spacing

12x100 | 12x142

Max. System Weight

120 kg

Warranty

5 years

Read the white paper for more in-depth information.

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THE GEOMETRY

Aero-Mass-Index

The goal was clear: maximize aerodynamics, minimize weight, and deliver the stiffness needed for precise control. Achieving it meant rethinking the rules.

Cyclists once had to choose between aero efficiency and ultralight design. As performance demands, these elements must work together.

While stiffness-to-weight remains the benchmark for lightweight components, and aerodynamic drag is measured in watts, there has been no unified metric for evaluating both. So we created one.

The Aero-Mass Index (Watt × kg) measures the relationship between weight and aerodynamic resistance. Calculated using air resistance at 45 km/h and the component’s weight, it gives equal weight to both values, and ultimately, delivers a clear, comparable benchmark for high-performance design.

A lower index means a more balanced, high-performance design.

Aero-Mass Index [W x kg]

1Lightweight Meilenstein ART

2Partington MK2 R39

3Mavic Cosmic Ultimate

4Reserve 52

5DT Swiss ARC 1100 DB50

6DT Swiss CRC 1400 Spline 45

7Zipp 454 NSW

8Zipp 303 Firecrest

9Newmen Advanced SL R.50

10Cadex

FIND A DEALER

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Winding mountain road cutting through a dramatic, rugged landscape at dusk, with layered peaks fading into the mist and a striking rock formation silhouetted against the sky.Winding mountain road cutting through a dramatic, rugged landscape at dusk, with layered peaks fading into the mist and a striking rock formation silhouetted against the sky.

FAQ