DigitalRJH

A question for the owners of '05 Bontrager Race X Lite Wheels. What color are your spokes, or if you've changed them, what was the color that came with them? I just got a set (the black anodized) and the spokes are silver. The spokes are DT Aerolites according to the Bontrager website, but I was under the impression that DT Aerolites only come in black, according to DT Swiss's website. Also, overall, what are your impressions of the wheels, I'll be riding them for the first time today. I've been very happy with the Race Lites they will be replacing.

my58vw

Trek 2100 with 05' Race X Lite Aero Wheelset...

Spokes on all the 05' Race X Lite and Race X Lite aero are silver. Apparently the spokes are make in both black and silver, the race lites are black, the x lites are silver.

DigitalRJH

Thanks. The '04 race lites were black, the '05 race lites are a gray color I believe. I think the race lites use Revolutions and Aeros. Anyway how do you like the wheels, I was wavering between the aero's and the regular X-lites but I have some big hills where I ride so the lighter weight sold me on the non aero X's.

my58vw

The 05's have a gray rim with black spokes (I had a set). I rode both sets and at the time I found that the stiffness personally was better than the race x lite normal wheelset. The aero rims have been bomb proof. I have tortured the wheelset tremendiously, including 2 training accidents with no problems. At 225 pounds I do not miss the weight difference though.

Now for climbing the normal race x lites are great wheels also.

DigitalRJH

I was very impressed with my Race Lites as far as durability, never had to have them trued and I ride on some rough roads. I was a bit concerned about the durablity issue of the regular X lites vs the aero's, but the LBS said that they are quite durable as well, some people use them for cyclocross. At 160 lbs, I think they will work out well for me, I'm anxious to feel the difference from the race lites.

DigitalRJH

I emailed Trek just to ask and they said that the X lites spokes are black. Nice to know they are up on their components. I emailed them back to ask why mine are silver, we'll see what they say. I just want to make sure they are DT Aerolites and they didn't put something else in there by mistake.

53-11_alltheway

THese are j-bend spoke wheels?

DigitalRJH

Yes. Nice avatar.

Any other owners of 05 X lites? Color of spokes? The lbs wasn't sure about it, no shock there. I just want to make sure there was a parts mix up.

rule

Mine are silver, but I have had them since the beginning of the year. Maybe the newer production did a color shift?

Gienek

I have blue rims and black spokes.

DigitalRJH

Those came straight from the factory?

my58vw

Sounds like the race lites, they were blue with black spokes...

Gienek

Yah, straight from factory. They were on my bike when i bought them, so I am assuming so.

DigitalRJH

Well, I got the new wheels out for a 30 mile ride. One thing I noticed is that the X lites roll smoother and spin up faster than the race lites. It was hard to determine how much faster they were or how much easier they were to climb on since it was a very windy day and I went from a 12-27 to a 12-25 casette on that ride. They do not seem to be as affected in crosswinds as the race lites were, probably due to the smaller spokes. I must say though, I do like the looks of the black spokes over the silver, but I'm sure I'll get used to the look of the silver spokes with the increase in performance over the old wheels. They do sound sweet humming along, that's for sure.

spacefuzz

I love my race lites, wish i could afford a pair of x-lites. I have found them to be pretty indestructible,they always get me home.

DigitalRJH

I hope the same holds true for the x lites, from what I've heard, it should.