iamtim

So... I've come into a set of Bontrager Aeolus wheels:


(These aren't mine, but they're the same set as I have minus the extraneous stickers.)

Anyway, I don't know much about them other than they've got an excessively low spoke count and are very light weight. They used to belong to my brother, but he got out of cycling years ago; my initial plan was to sell them on his behalf, however, I'm wondering if they're something I'd be able to use. The cassette splines are kinda jacked up, so they need a wee bit of work, but they spin smooth and true.

I'm currently 230 lbs and dropping, and I run Mavic Kysrium Elite wheels with no problem. I'm also 6'3" so I'm not going to drop all that much more; I'd like to get to somewhere around 215 lbs.

Any feedback or experiences with these wheels would be appreciated.

TrojanHorse

free hub splines getting jacked are a fact of life in today's aluminum bodied hubs. If it bugs you, you can carefully file down the high spots with something mild, and most vendors sell replacement free hub bodies for just such an occasion.

How much could you potentially sell a set of presumably older Aeolus wheels for anyway? I'd be tempted to hawk them and get a new set of boyd or williams carbon wheels.

iamtim

Yeah, I thought the wheel was royally effed when I saw that, but I did some research and it looks fairly common. I'm not too worried about it as long as I'll be able to mount another cassette; a file might be the perfect answer. I haven't given up the idea of shopping for a replacement body, though.

I have NO idea, but I'm fairly certain it's nowhere near what I (or my brother) think they're worth. Even used, I don't want to sell them for pennies on the dollar. If they're not up to supporting my weight, I'll toss them on my GFs bike, who is just looking to getting into cycling.

TrojanHorse

So give 'em a whirl!

Here's what my freehub body looks like as of a year ago, it's probably worse now: It's pretty chewy

iamtim

Yeah, I'm just worried about my weight on them. I don't want to destroy them because I'm a big lug. I can't seem to find a weight limit for them anywhere.

Yeah, mine's worse. I'll take some pics tomorrow.

TrojanHorse

Send them an email and ask: Bontrager: support

kato12

I have a set of Aeolus 5 D3 on my bike,and according to the bike shop there is no weight limit,iam 290.

OiS

Have to say, GREAT wheels, for this model, they look like the 2012/13 year models. Trek did a wonderful job at improving on the older version. The older version, as a big guy, stay off em! The newer ones, Trek insist there is no weight limit. I have been floating around the 260-240 mark for some time, and with several thousand miles on these wheels, have to say, no problem! (*touch wood! )