domestique

Hey everyone. There have been a couple of threads recently that have been talking about the deal currently on Reynolds alta race and aero comp clinchers. Well..... after having some questions I emailed Reynolds and got this response:

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My origianl email:

Dear Reynolds,

I recently purchased a pair of "Alta Race" clinchers (campy) from an online retailer (Reparto Corse). On their website they advertised the Alta Race as having Sapim spokes. When I received my wheels they have "DT" engraved at the hub on each spoke. Since these are "DT swiss" spokes unlike the sapim spokes that were advertised what is the story.

I have heard a couple diff. versions that the later "Alta Race" wheels received an improved hub and DT spokes etc. Was this the case? And what is the diff between Aero Comp and Alta Race?


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The response:
I apologize about the delay in responding but we were all at Interbike for the big show.

The Alta Race and Alta Aero Comp are the same wheels but different decals. The Alta Aero Comp wheels was slated for bike builders like Kuota and Fuji. The Alta Comp wheel uses a different rim profile, nipple and spoke.

The Alta Race wheel was originally spec’d with Sapim spokes but with a problem of repeated breakage we couldn’t continue using that spoke so we changed to the DT hubs. The hub has gone through some mechanical improvements as well to give it more durability.

I hope this information is helpful, if you have any additional questions please feel free to let us know. We’d be happy to help.

Regards,

Jonathan

Jonathan Geran
Reynolds Cycling
Director Sales and Marketing
866-798-3040 x128
www.reynoldscycling.com
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The only question that still remains is how the weight compares from using the sapim spokes to now using the DT hub and spokes.

spdrcr5

So they are not only DT Swiss spokes but now also DT Swiss hubs! Hmm... wonder if they are 240 hubs... i'll try calling them tomorrow to see if I can get an answer.

Thanks for posting the info.

blandin

And the prize go to domestique! Great job. Nice to know that my wheels are the same as the Alta Race, and know I now that the weight differences are due to the change in hubs and spokes.

domestique

I just emailed about the weight and this was the reply:

"The weight has gone up by about 20 grams per wheelset but the added durability with DT spokes is worth the peace of mind."

Regards,
Jonathan


Edit: I just emailed about the hub model... hopefully will hear back soon

domestique

Drum roll please....... the final verdict:

email from Reynolds:

"I mistyped, when I put hub I should have typed spoke. We switched from a Sapim spoke to a DT spoke, they all use the same KT hub supplied to Reynolds.

Sorry for the misinformation."

Regards,
Jonathan

blandin

So what's a KT hub? I don't recognize the name/initials.

domestique

Here is the response:

"KT is a Taiwan hub supplier for about 50% of the wheel suppliers in the bike industry. They have worked with us for the last couple of years to supply Reynolds specific hubs.

IR17;m still catching up on e-mails so it’s easy to respond and keep up.

Thanks,
Jonathan"

Lithuania

so can someone tell me if this is a good thing or bad thing?

blandin

domestique - you da man!

domestique

I don't know. 20 grams doesn't make that much of a diff. Just by taking off the decals will prolly save you 10 grams. Use a light weight rim strip like Ritcheys and maybe a light weight tube (kenda super lights) and you should be back in business. The spokes will be more bomb proof so that is a plus and down the road I may swap them out for sapim cx-rays.

I am kind of pissed that Reynolds doesn't advertise this in their ads (if you switched spokes then say so).... but it is really the fault of online merchants to upgrade their descriptions not the manufacture.

Other then that I was shocked Reynolds emailed me back so quickly. I would ask a question and receive an answer in less then 5 minutes! I hope this customer service stays this way down the road if I ever have any problems.

Lithuania

i aint worried about 20 grams when i can still lose 20 pounds or so and these are going to be crit wheels anyway.

NuBiker

Here is the situation for me, last thursday, I was able to have Cambria Bicycle Outfitter price match and beat the price of BlueSkyCycling for the Alta Race. And they shipped today, between shipping and taxes I am paying 253 dollars. I didn't think they will accept my offer, but they did.
Now that I read the answers from Reynolds, I don't think I had a good deal unless I am getting the Aero Comp with the DT spoke instead of the Sapim ones and the upgraded Hub. I will be waiting for them and I will post the info, I hope they just didn't update the info on the website and will end up having the Aero Comps.

blandin

I read a post by another forum member who ordered Alta Race's from pricepoint and they sent him Aero Comp's, with an explanation that they're the same wheels. Another thought is that Reynolds made the change long enough ago, that anything Cambria would have would be the updated version. Here's hoping so!

BikeWNC

I order a pair from Pricepoint also. They should be here on Wed. I'll post what I find when they show up.

voltman

So how do the Race/Aero Comps compare against the Ksyrium line? Where do they fall?

NuBiker

I am no expert, but I heard that they are similar to the SSC SL in comparison knowing that theReynolds have a much deeper rim.

blandin

That makes the $229 I paid for my Aero Comp's quite the bargain I'd say.

NuBiker

Yes Blandin, I checked your post this is how I followed through by buying them, thank you for your tip.
I paid 218.48 for mine
+ taxes 15.84
+ shipping 19.00
= 253.32

blandin

$218! That's a smokin deal, but I see your in CA too, so you had to pay taxes. I've bought quite a bit from Cambria over time and have had good luck with them.

Drag

Domestique -

Thanks for getting all these answers and confirming.

I was the one who ordered the Alta Race wheelset from PricePoint and received instead the Aero Comps which caused me to call both parties to figure out what was going on. Even though I got some answers, the weights and descriptions didn't add up.

Anyway, in my situation unfortunately, the front wheel was mangled pretty good by their poor packaging. After talking to the rep, I convinced them to take the wheelset back and send another in replacement. Sadly, they're now apparently out of stock, although the rep I spoke to today stated they're expecting more in a week. I have to call back tomorrow to speak to the original sales rep at PricePoint to again confirm all the details and credits to my account.

Talewinds

Huh?!?!?

Vinokurtov

It's been that way for the several years I've had my wheels. I've spoken to them on the phone and at Interbike the last two years and have never come away less than impressed.

NuBiker

I received today my wheels, the Alta Race and they look exactly like Blandin's; and are the same as the ones on pricepoint, so I am happy. for now, the best deal to get these is CBO when they price match.

SuperGrover

Folks - any feeback on the reliability of the Aero Comps? I have heard stories about repeated spoke breakage - I think mainly the Sapim spokes.

spdrcr5

I have the Alta Race. Here is my tale of woe...

Front wheel had to be replaced for vibration. It was a defective wheel that they restrung with a new hoop and new spokes but the same hub. Wheel works fine.

2 weeks ago I was only 3 miles into a ride and up a nice steep ride I ran out of gears, once I reached the top is when my buddy said to me that i popped a spoke! Once the spoke on the rear wheel broke the wheel immediately "warped" and pressed against the brake. Even wide open the wheel was rubbing the brake very badly. The spoke broke at the hoop so the end is rattling around inside.

I shipped the wheel back to Reynolds for a rebuild/replacement. Honestly I am not at all happy with the wheels. Less than 2,000 miles and already both wheels have had to be rebuilt/replaced. The front wheel was a problem from day one and it took Reynolds over 3 weeks to get me back my wheel because they were short staffed because everyone was at Sea Otter! They had to get approval to overnight me the wheel that I need for an important ride.

I'll probably put the wheels on eBay and get something else, not sure what yet.

I forgot to add, I weigh 200 so I'm not overloading the wheel either. Don't ride through pot holes, jump curbs, etc.