bontrager track wheels
 

Bontrager finally updated their website to include their track wheels:

Race X-Lite (this bike on fgg seems to have the race lites)
http://www2.bontrager.com/images/pro...rge/251842.jpg

What struck me as notable is that while the 16 spoked 1700g race x-lites come in at $550 a pair, the 20/24 spoked 1890g race lites are $250 a pair. I was surprised to see these come in at the same pricepoint as a deep-v/formula wheelset - perhaps they'll overcome what the volos track couldn't. However, I'm sort of surprised at the lack of a tubular option for the x-lites and I wonder if they chose to continue making it in fixed/fixed.

hmm, still open to interpretation, but it says flip flop and mentions freewheels, i'm guessing fixed/free

Hrm, that is a pretty good deal; I don't see a pic of the 20/24 spoked wheels but I think you are right, that bike on FGG has them. I've always heard pretty good things about Bontrager/Trek quality and that price really is nice but I wonder about the hubs, there doesn't seem to be any mention of the hub other than it is fixed/free.

Has anyone here ridden on them?

I think the hubs are built by Joytech

yeah, the discontinued model used to be fixed/fixed, but these look like they have machined braking surfaces. maybe it's just me, but it seems like a strange inclusion for a $550 track wheelset.

What the volos couldnt do?

The problem with the volos is the extreme overpricing taking place.

The LBS sells cane creek volos wheels for ~$300 (tubular) , very well priced at a step up from the formula/ aerohead combos out there.

If they came in tubular I would be all over them.

you're right...and you're wrong. the race x lites are carbon rims (tubs), and 550ish a wheel. not a pair. same with the selects (the ones that come on the T1) (around 250 a wheel). there is also a deep well aluminum rim that are clinchers, but I can't find out how much those cost (I work for a trek dealer, so if you're really curious, let me know and I'll find out)

-jason

oh yeah! and I REALLY want a Trek T1 with the carbon 16 spoke tubs...real bad.

MSRP on the track volos is $450/pr. The lowest that I've seen them is at aebike for $325. They're probably quicker than any handbuilt clincher wheel out there, as well as being durable and stiff, and yet not that popular. For one, people mistakenly beleive that they're difficult to true. there's also the issue of aesthetics. it's not that the volos are ugly, but they don't have a large profile that comes in a myriad of colors.

$250 is a lot more attractive pricepoint, but the race lites still have to compete with the ever popular deep-v/formula combo. time will tell

isn't there a difference between the race x-lite and race x-lite carbon aero

Uh oh, looks like all of you internet shoppers will have to go to the dreaded LBS to get these!! Personally I'm psyched if these Race X Lite track wheels are like the road wheels and come with DT Swiss made hubs, although I seriously doubt they created a new machining process for a lone Bontrager wheel. EP here I come...

If they came in tubies and non-machined.. I'd be all over them... but I love paired spoke wheels though.

Never fear, the Carbon Aeros will come in a tubular version, which would be silly to include machined sidewalls on because what dummy is going to ride a low spoke count, tubular, carbon rim wheelset on the road? Oh yeah, my friend at work does this with his XXX Lite Carbon Tubular wheelset. I'll check the look book at work when I head up there in a few minutes and let y'all know whether the tubie version comes with machined sidewalls. The MSRP is over a grand, so I doubt any of you are willing to throw down, though..

Somebody buy 'em and hit the streets. Make 12XU look like a dick, do it.

Those words on the rims removeable?

if i ever decide to blow major coin on a track wheelset, it would be carbonsports' lightweight track front ($1850)

http://www.carbonsports.com/Produkte...laufraeder.jpg

and a lightweight track disc rear ($1800)

http://www.carbonsports.com/Produkte...afik_gross.jpg

$250 is major coin for a wheelset? $1850 certainly is..

i was referring to the $1000+ race x-lite carbon aeros in the previous post. the lightweight track spoked wheelset pictured is ~$3700

Oh man, afraid to represent a quality product or are you too PUNXXXX?

i think a set of Lightweight track wheels are in order, just so i can use the zipp404s as trash wheels.

^^Looks like "vapor-ware"

On the other hand, the only bike shop on the island here has a $11,000 Colnago C40 GOLD (with REAL gold and carbon fiber parts and sh*t). So, I guess anything is possible.

http://www.athenscyclepath.com/Particol_1.jpg

While Mavic comes close to winning the egregiously expensive track wheelset award.

Mavic IO track front wheel ($3000)
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/images/large/ACFEDAF.jpg

Mavic Comete rear track disc wheel ($2000)
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/images/...mpeteTRACK.jpg

It looks like Campagnolo edges them out for a Ghibli Disc wheelset ($5700)
http://www.awcycles.co.uk/smsimg/49/...-ghibli-49.gif

I have Bontrager bartape on one of my bikes. It's superlight, has an aero profile that really improves me sprinting, and I'll tell ya, it really grips my hands. Or something.

Best graphic design for a disc wheel EVAR.

yes, sers...seems i misspoke and now you're correct. i'll check them all out at work and post retail prices and specs at work today

Uh, I'd stay away. If you ever break a spoke or crack a rim watch as hilarity ensues as your LBS trys to get any kind of information in a timely manner from Bontrager about part availability and hope they don't lie which you will only find out about two weeks later.

Just say no to paired spoke kids. Especially on something you're going to be doing a lot of sprinting on, it just doesn't make sense.

think about the last statement you just made...and I think trek and bontrager know their ****. Pretty much every team in any major tour used paired spoke wheels

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...y/IMG_0352.jpg

I think Robbie Mcewen did alright on those wheels, no?

I'll admit that the practice is to send paired spoke wheels back to the manufacturer to have them replaced, because the spoke tension is a ***** to dial in without the fancy tool (pretty much a giant rubber band), but I'd be willing to bet these wheels hold up pretty well...Why do people have to be ANTI something just because it's new...I don't get it...these guys have been making bikes longer than we've been riding them...i think they know what's up...have a little faith (with the exception of biopace)

-jason

that's not a graphic. they actually use a ****-ton of their proprietary carbon spokes, and throw a clear cover over it.

I had to check their website to be sure that this wasn't just super-biting sarcasm. Those spokes are insane.

i just read that on their website. thats f'n crazy, i always thought the design was just a graphic.