Deda SL4DB Wheelset in for review

We take a brief look at the Deda SL4DB wheels

These new for ’23 wheels from Deda are an impressively light and areo wheelset. The rims of the SL4DB are 45mm deep and made from high modulus, unidirectional and 3K carbon fibre. The rims have an asymmetric rim design and width is 26mm on the outside and 19mm internal. Twenty four flat, black straight pull spokes help keep the weight down. The rims are, of course, tubeless compatible, but you can also run them with conventional clinchers.

Deda say the SL4DB wheels are “specially developed for high-speed use but simply perfect on any kind of course.” So they sound like they will be perfect for road racing, Fondo or sportives, or simply riding fast and dropping your buddies!

The SL4DB hub has an 7075 alumnium hub body, with a 17mm front axle and 15 mm rear. The freehub uses a twenty tooth, two ratchet assembly. Deda have put the smaller ratchet inside the freehub, while the bigger sits in the hub-flange. Deda say this “considerably improves the wheel’s smoothness for superior speed.“

The hub is Deda’s new RS design. Engraved lines on the hub body amplify the Magnus effect to create extra down force, increasing high-speed stability. And the hub-flanges have been shaped to reduce drag. That’s a lot of attention aimed at the hub’s aerodynamics.

The hubs are though-axle compatible with a 12x100mm front and a 12×142mm rear. Deda also do a conversion kit if you want to run a quick-release axle. Included with the wheels are rim-tape and valves for tubeless set-up. Also in the kit are disc-brake lock rings and ratchet grease. You can get the DB4SL with Shimano, Sram XDR, Campagnolo or Campagnolo 13S freehub.

We’ll be taking these wheels out for some early season races and sportives. These seem like a good combination to test out these wheels. Once we’ve got them set up, tubeless of course, we’ll take them for a spin and let you know how they perform. In the meantime you can check them out on Deda’s website.