Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
What makes the wheels mediocre?
I k is nothing about the rims and they don't mention the hubs or spokes.
not sure what makes them mediocre as the description seems incomplete to me.
looks like a solid bike for the price. Really similar to last year's REI coop adv 3.1 when it was still 700c wheels and a 3x crank.
The rims appear to be the same Brev M they used last year. 32-spoke wheels are less durable and not as well suited for touring as 36-spokes. I've also read the wheels on the 2018 model need to be trued more frequently than is normal for touring bikes. They're probably fine for commuting and general riding, but I'd get a more suitable wheel set for touring.
That they neglect to mention a few details about the components indicates they're probably mediocre. I'm not saying it's a bad bike or anything (again, it's a great value), and if you won't be touring right away it'd be a top contender, but right now I'd be more inclined to get a Kona Sutra because it's better spec'd.