Originally Posted by
PDKL45
The AWOL wheelset was little better than trash after a few thousand kms, due to the rims. The Hi-Lo hubs and spokes were fine, but the rims were awful. Universally they seemed to develop cracks around every spoke hole; it's something Jones SWB Complete owners are also dealing with right now as well, by the looks of things. It's a consequence, in both cases, of cheaping out on certain OEM components to meet a bike price point, IMO.
The oak green AWOLs from 2017 on crack frequently, but maybe the Sequoias don't crack as often? I am only going on the photographic evidence that the members of that group have posted, and they are from all over.
You don't often seem to see the satin and orange, white and blue, black or red AWOLs cracking, just as you don't often seem to see black base model or black and white frameset Sequoias cracking. The later model green AWOLs and those light sage green Sequoia Elites from 2017 or so seem to be particularly prone to it, though.
Most stock wheels are trash. I am all for handbuilt wheels especially on a touring bike. Hitting a price point is all well and good for some but I don't want wheel issues on tour or riding around in general. I want reliable wheels and when I put control into a trusted builder with trusted parts I know it is much less likely to fail.