Silvercivic27

Marcus,do you actually own a set of these wheels? It goes against many other forum threads that people say they have put thousands of miles on these brake tracks and they are still as black as the day they bought them. I just bought a set of Hed jet 4 plus without the black brake track mainly because I don't want to deal with any noise issues, and I feel a regular alloy brake track is good enough already. I didn't want to deal with any drama.

Marcus_Ti

Have a pair of Belgium+ laced to R45s on the road bike with 20,000km on them. Black was basically gone in a month of dry summer riding. Campag skeleton calipers.

People who say they're black as the day they bought them either have miracle compound shoes,or don't use brakes. IMHO

Silvercivic27

Ok, good to know. Thanks. Like I said, I wasn't down with drama and gimmicks on the brake track. It was also $400 more, and I was struggling to find 25% more value. The non black wheels also use J bend spokes instead of straight pull which I also prefer a little more. Your post makes me glad I didn't get the turbine brake track. Most people are probably in Shimano instead of Campag so maybe that makes a difference somehow

Marcus_Ti

Friction is friction. It removes paint from any applied surface given time. Just like a rotary steel brush.

slau73

A friend has the Mavic R-sys (with Exalith) and another has the Fulcrum Zero Notes and neither had seen any issues with the black surface fading away. So I'm curious to know if the Ardennes Black are the same (i.e. more than just a paint or anodised)?

reggieray

You could get custom Belgium + for much less than the cost of those wheels.

motosonic

I don't have the Ardennes Black, but I DO have a set of Ardennes FR and they're awesome. Additionally, if you've ever had to deal with HED's support.. TOP NOTCH. I had an issue with one of the wheels, it wiggled a little, local shop couldn't fix it.. They fixed it for no charge and they were out of warranty. It was a pleasure dealing with them. I'd definitely buy HED again because of that.

jwill911

+1 On the HED Ardennes FR. I don't know off hand how many trouble free miles I've put on my wheels I bought them in 3/2103 they've been flawless. I got the standard 20/24 build I weigh 165.

I just went through the same decision process the OP started this thread with. I decided against the Ardennes Black as I was worried about the brake track wearing over time; it is machined and coated (anodized) afterall. I bought Ardennes SL Plus for my new bike which I haven't gotten yet. I did install the furnished rim tape and mounted Conti 25mm GP4000S II tires. Wheels measure 21.21 ID and 25.50 OD and the 25mm tires measure 28mm. It takes a little more effort and technique to mounting the tires on the 25s, need to make sure the bead is bottomed in the center groove/valley of the rim or it's difficult. HED has a YouTube video. They're hanging in the garage waiting on the new bike ~ 1st week of April. Can't wait Orbea Orca M20Team in TeamBlue.
John

md11pilot

My Ardennes have held up very well, wish I didn't have to part with them and the bike too!

Clipped_in

I have a custom built set of HED C2's and Belgium+ wheels and I absolutely love them. I can't comment on brake tracks of the Black versions, but the rims themselves are unmatched in quality and design IMO. There are a lot of good alloy rims out there, but for me HED is king!

motosonic

I have to say, that with the way HED has treated me, I'd buy up a set of Ardennes Black if I could find some in my budget in a heartbeat. I agree with Jwill911, HED wheels are top notch, bulletproof wheels.