👀 Are you into gravel bikes? We have something for you - we manufacture certified high-end gravel bikes.
The authorized Elitewheels service center for Portugal
IRONDEER is listed on elite-wheels.com as the official Portuguese service partner — the only workshop in Portugal authorized to carry out warranty claims, carbon rim inspections, hub overhauls, spoke and bearing replacement, and post-crash assessment across the full Elitewheels range.
Drop your wheels off at the workshop in Nazaré, or ship them to us from anywhere in Portugal or the European Union. We handle the claim end-to-end with the Elitewheels factory in Xiamen — you do not ship anything to China, and you do not deal with the factory directly.
At a glance
What working with the official Portuguese service partner actually looks like.
- Manufacturer warranty
-
3 +2 yrs
- Crash replacement
-
38 %
- Typical turnaround
-
7 –21d
- Elitewheels lines supported
-
4 series
Three years from delivery, extendable to five — handled locally by IRONDEER.
Discount off the original wheel price for the original owner within three years.
From drop-off to wheel return for most warranty cases.
Drive II, Helix, Edge and ENT — plus Gen 1 Drive and gravel/tubular models.
Services we provide
The workshop is set up for carbon-specific work — torque-controlled assembly, calibrated spoke tension gauges, and the dedicated tool kit issued by Elitewheels for carbon-spoke wheels. As an authorized service center, IRONDEER carries out the full set of service operations Elitewheels owners can otherwise only access by shipping their wheels to the factory.
Carbon spoke replacement
Drive II and Helix wheels use 4.5 mm flat aero carbon spokes that require a brand-specific tool to seat and tension. We hold the official Elitewheels carbon spoke tool kit and follow factory tension specifications for each rim depth.
Wheel truing
Lateral and radial truing to factory tolerance — under 0.3 mm lateral deviation. Bring wheels in after a hard ride season, after a crash, or when you notice brake rub on disc rotors caused by rim oscillation.
Hub overhaul
Full strip-down, clean and re-grease of the Kinetic II ratchet hub. The 50-tooth conical ratchet engages every 7.2° and runs on S&S ceramic bearings — service it every 5,000–10,000 km or annually.
Bearing replacement
Bearings are wear items and are not covered under the standard warranty. We carry the correct S&S ceramic spec and can fit replacements while you wait if booked in advance.
Freehub body replacement
Switch between Shimano HG and SRAM XDR freehubs, or replace a worn freehub. Elitewheels manufactures its hubs in-house, so only Elitewheels freehubs are compatible.
Rim inspection and assessment
After any significant impact — pothole, crash or shipping damage — the rim is inspected (visual, tap test, brake-track, spoke-bed integrity) and the result is documented with photos. The report is the basis for either a warranty claim or a crash-replacement order.
Tubeless setup and tape replacement
Pre-applied factory tubeless tape lasts a long time but is not permanent. We re-tape, fit valves and seat new tyres including stubborn pairings.
Post-crash assessment
A structured inspection and written report on whether the wheelset is safe to keep riding. If a rim is structurally compromised, this report initiates either a warranty claim or a crash-replacement order with Elitewheels.
Certified Elitewheels mechanic
Every service is performed by an Elitewheels-certified mechanic following the factory documentation for both Gen 1 (pawl freehub) and Gen 2 (Kinetic II ratchet) Drive wheels.
Elitewheels product range we support
Every current Elitewheels wheelset — road, gravel and tubular — plus the previous-generation Drive wheels. Not sure which model you have? Send us a photo of the rim decal and the hub by email or WhatsApp and we will confirm before you ship anything.
Drive 50D II — flagship all-rounder
The benchmark of the Drive II line — 1,300 g per pair (Shimano HG), 23 mm internal / 31 mm external rim, Kinetic II ratchet hub, 4.5 mm carbon spokes and S&S ceramic bearings. UCI approved and rated to 130 kg system weight. The wheelset on our demo bike.
The Drive II range also includes the shallower Drive 36D II for climbing terrain and the deeper Drive 65D II for sustained flats and rolling profiles, sharing the same hub and spoke specification.
Helix series — lightest carbon-spoke road
Carbon-spoke, ceramic-bearing wheels — Helix 46D CS, 57D CS, 68D CS — for riders chasing the lightest spec in the Elitewheels road range without giving up the brand's carbon-spoke and ratchet-hub platform.
Spare carbon spokes and freehub bodies stocked locally; full service follows the same warranty channel as the Drive line.
Edge & ENT 2.0 — climbing and all-round
Edge — shallow rims optimized for climbing weight. ENT 2.0 — lightweight all-round road wheelset, an alternative to the Drive II for riders prioritizing climbing response over aero. Both fully supported under the same authorized-service umbrella.
Drive G45 SS — gravel & tubular
The first Drive wheelset to use steel spokes, paired with a U-shaped rim that retains the aerodynamics of a road wheel. 24 mm internal width fits 700 × 28–65C tyres for road, gravel and mixed-surface riding. Service for Elitewheels gravel and any tubular models is fully covered.
Previous-generation Drive (Gen 1)
Still widely in use and fully supported. Spoke tension specs and the pawl-system freehub service are different from Drive II — we hold the factory documentation for both generations and the matching tools.
How a warranty claim works
Warranty claims are processed through IRONDEER as the local service partner — you do not ship anything to China and you do not communicate with the factory directly. Typical total time from drop-off to return is 7 to 21 days, depending on parts availability.
How we compare
What is covered, what is not
Elitewheels offers a 3-year limited warranty from the date of delivery for the original owner, extendable to 5 years for an additional fee. The warranty covers manufacturing defects, not crashes or wear.
Covered under warranty
-
Frame components
Manufacturing defects in rims, hubs, spokes and nipples.
-
Material integrity
Material defects that appear during normal use within the warranty period.
-
Assembly & maintenance
Issues caused by non-external factors during the warranty period.
-
Compatibility
Use of Elitewheels-spec parts and freehubs purchased through official channels.
-
Environmental damage
Normal use across weather, climates and seasonal cycling.
-
Ownership
Original purchaser only, with the original purchase receipt.
Not covered
-
Frame components
Bearings, valves, quick releases, thru axles and brake pads — these are wear items.
-
Material integrity
Damage from crashes, accidents, misuse or use outside manufacturer specifications.
-
Assembly & maintenance
Improper assembly or maintenance, including service by a non-authorized mechanic.
-
Compatibility
Use of incompatible parts, tyres or accessories.
-
Environmental damage
Heat damage — typically a wheel placed too close to a vehicle exhaust.
-
Ownership
Transferred ownership — the warranty is not transferable.
Crash replacement policy
If you crash an Elitewheels wheel within three years of purchase, Elitewheels offers a crash replacement at 38% off the original price of the damaged wheel — for the original owner only. This is the program that covers situations the warranty does not: pothole strikes, race incidents, road debris — anything where the failure is not a manufacturing defect but the wheel is no longer safe to ride.
IRONDEER processes crash-replacement orders the same way as warranty claims — bring the wheel in, we document the damage, and submit the order on your behalf. For wheels outside the 3-year window or for riders who want longer coverage, Elitewheels offers an extended warranty service that runs to 5 years from purchase, with the same coverage and crash-replacement terms.
Why local service matters
Before IRONDEER became the official Portuguese service center, Elitewheels owners in Portugal had three options when something went wrong — none of them good. Ship the wheels internationally at your own cost. Find a local mechanic willing to work on unfamiliar Chinese carbon components without manufacturer support. Or leave the problem unresolved.
For a wheelset you ride seriously, none of those outcomes is acceptable. The wheels sit in a corner until you have a free weekend and the budget to ship them somewhere; the alternative is paying a local shop to attempt a repair without the brand-specific tools or tension specs the rim was designed around.
Tools that match the product
Carbon-spoke wheels require a brand-specific spoke tool. Spoke tension differs between rim depths and between generations of Drive. We hold the documentation and the kit issued by Elitewheels.
Warranty validity preserved
Improper service by a non-authorized mechanic can void the warranty. Authorized service preserves it.
No international shipping for parts
Spokes, freehubs and small parts ship to us, not to you — you only handle local pick-up and drop-off, or domestic Portugal courier.
Direct factory channel
When a claim needs escalation, we contact Elitewheels directly rather than routing through a foreign dealer.
About Elitewheels
Elitewheels is a Xiamen-based carbon wheel manufacturer that has built a serious reputation in Europe over the past five years. The company is part of Xiamen Yuan An Composite Technology Co., Ltd. — a carbon composites group that also produces Evolve frames. Founder Tony Tong has positioned the brand around direct-to-consumer pricing for wheels engineered to standards normally associated with the European mid-premium tier.
Silverstone wind tunnel testing. The Drive II range was tested at the Silverstone Engineering Hub. Results showed a 2.84% reduction in CdA versus the previous generation; at a -15° yaw angle, the Drive 50D II saves 5.2 watts at the same speed.
UCI approval. Drive II wheels are UCI approved for high-level competition and are used by professional UCI teams sponsored by Elitewheels.
In-house manufacturing. Rims, hubs, spokes and carbon spokes are all produced under the same roof in Xiamen. The Kinetic II hub is CNC-machined to tolerances of 0.02 mm; the 20,000 km factory hub test is published.
Continuous QC. Each Drive II wheel ships with documented tension and trueness data, allowing the factory to trace any quality issue back to a specific wheel builder.
Test ride program — Drive 50D II
We hold an Elitewheels Drive 50D II demo wheelset available for paid test rides. The test fee is credited in full against the wheels' purchase price if you order through us within 30 days.
Two test routes from the Nazaré workshop
Nazaré → São Martinho do Porto
32 km · 600 m climbing · from one hour
A sharp coastal loop that starts at the Atlantic and climbs immediately into the hills above Nazaré. The descent back is quick and technical enough to put any wheelset under real load. Ideal if you want a complete picture of acceleration, cornering and braking without committing a full day.
Nazaré → Fátima → Batalha → Porto de Mós
92 km · 1,000 m climbing · full day
One of the most rewarding road loops in central Portugal. The route climbs inland through the limestone plateau of the Serra de Aire, passing Fátima, then drops past the Batalha Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the medieval castle at Porto de Mós. Elevation distributed across long steady climbs — exactly the kind of sustained effort that reveals the true character of a carbon wheelset.
Prefer your own route? Bring it on Komoot or Strava and we will fit the wheels.
Pricing approach
Warranty work is processed without labor charge to the customer when the issue is covered by Elitewheels. Out-of-warranty service is quoted per job before any work starts.
Warranty work
No labor charge
covered cases
No labor charge for inspection and rebuild when Elitewheels covers the issue. Customer covers shipping in both directions unless the factory authorizes return-shipping reimbursement as part of the claim.
- Inspection and technical report
- Claim submission to factory
- Wheel rebuild after parts arrive
Out-of-warranty service
Quote per job
before work begins
Hub overhaul, bearing replacement, truing, tubeless setup and similar work — all quoted on a per-job basis after inspection. Written quote sent before any work begins.
- Hub overhaul (Kinetic II ratchet)
- Bearing replacement (S&S ceramic)
- Lateral & radial truing
- Tubeless re-tape and setup
Crash replacement
38%
off original price
For original owners within three years of purchase. The 38% discount is paid to Elitewheels; IRONDEER labor for the rebuild is quoted separately and is usually modest.
- Damage documentation & report
- Crash-replacement order with factory
- Rebuild on the new rim
Test ride
Credited back
on purchase within 30 days
The test ride fee is credited in full against any Elitewheels wheelset purchased through IRONDEER within 30 days of the session.
- Drive 50D II demo wheelset
- Pre-mapped route options
- Half-day session, one rider
Turnaround and shipping
Most service jobs are completed within 3 to 7 working days from the moment the wheel is in our workshop; warranty cases involving parts from the factory can run 7 to 21 days depending on parts availability and shipping.
Drop-off
Walk-in welcome during workshop hours, but booking ahead helps us prioritize. Same-day inspection where possible.
Ship-in
Use any tracked courier. Hard wheel-bag or double-walled cardboard with rotor protection. Send the tracking number to info@irondeer.pt.
Return shipping
Calculated per case based on weight, destination and insurance value. We can use your preferred courier account if you have one.
Coverage zones
Domestic Portugal: 1–2 working days each way by national courier. EU shipping: 2–5 working days each way depending on destination.
Frequently asked questions
These are the questions Elitewheels owners actually ask us. Answers are direct so you can decide whether to bring your wheels in without a back-and-forth.
Yes. IRONDEER is the authorized Elitewheels service center for Portugal, listed on elite-wheels.com as the official Portuguese service partner. Warranty claims are processed by IRONDEER directly with the Elitewheels factory in Xiamen — you do not ship anything to China.
Both. Wheels purchased from elite-wheels.com or from any certified Elitewheels dealer listed on the official site are covered. You will need the original purchase receipt to validate the warranty — seller name, buyer name, product name and date.
Yes. As the authorized Portuguese service center we process claims for wheels purchased anywhere in the EU through official channels. Bring or ship the wheels to Nazaré and we handle the rest.
Typical turnaround from drop-off to wheel return is 7 to 21 days, depending on parts availability. Small parts — spokes, freehubs — are usually fast; full rim replacement can take longer if it ships from Xiamen.
3 years from the date of delivery, original purchaser only. Covers manufacturing defects in rims, hubs, spokes and nipples. Does not cover bearings, valves, brake pads, crashes, improper assembly or use of incompatible parts. Extendable to 5 years for an additional fee.
Standard maintenance — cleaning, tyre changes, tubeless top-up — is fine. Anything involving spoke tension, freehub disassembly, or bearing replacement should be done by an authorized mechanic to keep the warranty intact.
Bring or ship the wheel in for inspection. If the rim is structurally compromised, you have two options: a crash replacement (38% off original price, original owner, within 3 years of purchase) or — if the failure looks like a defect — a warranty claim. We document the damage and submit either request on your behalf.
Carbon spokes and nipples for current Drive II rim depths, freehub bodies (Shimano HG and SRAM XDR), valves and tubeless tape. Larger items — full rims, complete hubs — are ordered per case from the Elitewheels EU warehouse or factory.
Yes. We can order any current Elitewheels wheelset for delivery to Portugal. Pricing depends on model and freehub spec — contact us for a quote. Any test ride fee paid through IRONDEER is credited in full against the purchase.
Yes. We hold a demo wheelset for paid test rides at the Nazaré workshop. The fee is credited in full against any Elitewheels purchase through IRONDEER within 30 days.
Drive 50D II weighs from 1,300 g per pair with Shimano HG freehub, including pre-applied tubeless tape and valves. Internal rim width 23 mm, external 31 mm. Riders rated to 130 kg system weight. UCI approved.
Yes. We have factory documentation for both Gen 1 (pawl freehub) and Gen 2 (Kinetic II ratchet) Drive wheels and the tension specs for each rim depth.
We are set up as an authorized service center specifically for Elitewheels. We can carry out general wheel work — truing, tubeless setup, bearing replacement — on other carbon wheels, but warranty processing only runs through brands we are authorized to represent.
Yes, and we will prioritize you. Email ahead with the issue, your dates and where you are staying. We will book a workshop slot to fit your itinerary.
Nazaré, on the Silver Coast of Portugal, about 90 minutes north of Lisbon by car. Full address and map in the contact section of this page.
Need service, or considering a purchase?
For service, email us with your wheelset model and a photo of the issue — we respond within 1–2 working days with next steps. For a purchase, book a Drive 50D II test ride at the Nazaré workshop; the fee is credited in full against any Elitewheels wheelset bought through IRONDEER within 30 days.