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Bontrager Releases New Carbon Wheels

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Bontrager Releases New Carbon Wheels

Old 06-23-20, 08:25 AM
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Bontrager Releases New Carbon Wheels

Bontrager released new wheels from budget friendly to wheels that surpass the Triple X series. The one's that have me most interested are the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 TLR Disc Road Wheels. These come in at a slight 1325 grams. Not bad for a disc wheel with hooks. Approximately $2400 US dollars.

Lifetime warranty against defects, 2 year crash replacement and DT internals, you couldn't ask for much more.
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Old 06-23-20, 08:39 AM
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They don't list a Sram Axis option
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Old 09-26-20, 01:37 PM
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I've been eyeing these as well. Seems like a great all-around wheel that's also stupidly light for its depth. The main issue would just be price. And whether or not that amount of money would help buy more benefit if spent elsewhere.
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Old 09-26-20, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by roadie276
I've been eyeing these as well. Seems like a great all-around wheel that's also stupidly light for its depth. The main issue would just be price. And whether or not that amount of money would help buy more benefit if spent elsewhere.
Most definitely awful speed per $ spent. Lots of much better things to spend money on if you're after performance.

Especially seeing as you can get a very similar pair of wheels for half , if not 1/3, that price.
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Old 09-27-20, 09:51 AM
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Just bought them, seemed faster on the few miles I've put on them. Strava showed me faster on a few segments and climbs but that could be me giving more effort. They seemed pretty stable even in the wind. Like I said just first impressions on less than 100 miles.
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Old 09-27-20, 10:58 AM
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Just picked up the RSL 37v version of those wheels to replace my Enve 4.5ARs. Same width (25mm internal), slightly shallower and lighter. Running Schwalbe Pro One 30c for road duty only.


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Old 09-27-20, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by SkepticalOne
Just picked up the RSL 37v version of those wheels to replace my Enve 4.5ARs. Same width (25mm internal), slightly shallower and lighter. Running Schwalbe Pro One 30c for road duty only.

Congratulations on this wheelset. I originally wanted the RSL 37's but when they released the wider version they became my next option for desire. I just wish they weren't so darn expensive here in Canada.
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Old 09-27-20, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by blakcloud
Congratulations on this wheelset. I originally wanted the RSL 37's but when they released the wider version they became my next option for desire. I just wish they weren't so darn expensive here in Canada.
Agreed, they are at the top of the price range...that's what happens when they go full DT240 and "made in Wisconsin". A much better value can be had with the Aelous Pro3V.
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Old 09-27-20, 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rubiksoval
Most definitely awful speed per $ spent. Lots of much better things to spend money on if you're after performance.

Especially seeing as you can get a very similar pair of wheels for half , if not 1/3, that price.
Yep. Though it is sort of enticing to not have to compromise between aero benefits and price. : ) I have reasonably light climbing wheels now, but looking to add a bit of aero. I should probably toss on aero bars first, or work on my position on the bike, or get a more aero helmet, etc. I have to laugh that I can read an article talking about how wheels are among the last things to upgrade for speed, nod my head rationally, then still consider buying a wheelset like this. : )

Last edited by roadie276; 09-28-20 at 09:15 AM.
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Old 09-27-20, 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by blakcloud
Lifetime warranty against defects, 2 year crash replacement and DT internals, you couldn't ask for much more.
Well, I could ask for much more, but I'd be pissing in the wind.

Shimano internals.
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Old 09-27-20, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by SkepticalOne
Just picked up the RSL 37v version of those wheels to replace my Enve 4.5ARs. Same width (25mm internal), slightly shallower and lighter. Running Schwalbe Pro One 30c for road duty only.

​​​​​​I'm curious why you changed and what you think?
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Old 09-29-20, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
​​​​​​I'm curious why you changed and what you think?
Well, I haven't changed yet. Since owning the Bontrager Aeolus Pro3V wheels (on my gravel setup), I've discovered how much easier some tubeless wheels can be than the ENVEs to live with. When these new RSLs came out I had the opportunity to pick them up well under list and pulled the trigger in hopes they could be every bit as good a the ENVEs for daily use but with the added benefit of easier tire removal and install. I have routinely carried with me the KoolStop bead jack with the ENVEs, as the Pro Ones and rim are unnecessarily tight fitting requiring undue force to push the tire over the lip. Additionally, and despite the weight penalty, I absolutely adore the integrated tubeless rim strip the Bontrager has developed, removing the need for tape. While heavier than tape, it is just so foolproof. I am about 9/10 for setting up tape well on the ENVEs, but its that 10th time that always makes me question tubeless.

Since having ridden the RSL 37Vs for about 600km, I am extremely pleased with the perceived aero performance. I have realized my fastest single descent ever (not a controlled comparison against 4.5ARs per se) and have been most surprised by how stable they are in lateral stability on these long exposed descents. The ENVEs are supposed to be excellent at cross-wind control, but the effect of the reduced depth of the RSLs is very noticeable. Bontrager claims that the airfoil design punches above its depth, and of course there is more than 200g reduced overall weight.

My goal is to establish a favourite and part with the loser in the spring, but at this point it is tending in favour of selling the ENVEs. Maybe I will talk myself into keeping both, as there is no beating the sex appeal of the ENVEs

I am such a sucker for wide road wheels.
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Old 10-02-20, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by blakcloud
Bontrager released new wheels from budget friendly to wheels that surpass the Triple X series. The one's that have me most interested are the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 TLR Disc Road Wheels. These come in at a slight 1325 grams. Not bad for a disc wheel with hooks. Approximately $2400 US dollars.

Lifetime warranty against defects, 2 year crash replacement and DT internals, you couldn't ask for much more.
$2400 is budget friendly???
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Old 10-02-20, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by blakcloud
Bontrager released new wheels from budget friendly to wheels that surpass the Triple X series. The one's that have me most interested are the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 TLR Disc Road Wheels. These come in at a slight 1325 grams. Not bad for a disc wheel with hooks. Approximately $2400 US dollars.

Lifetime warranty against defects, 2 year crash replacement and DT internals, you couldn't ask for much more.
Originally Posted by rydabent
$2400 is budget friendly???
Re-read the bolded word in my original post. I certainly did not imply that $2400 was budget friendly.

I can't believe I have to spell it out for you.
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