There was a time when carbon mountain bike wheels were the sole domain of the cross-country crowd, a place where the narrow and often delicate hoops were less likely to be hucked into rock gardens or repeatedly slapped into corners. That's no longer the case, and the last few years have seen a massive influx of wider-rimmed carbon wheels hit the market that are aimed at the all-mountain crowd. Not one to sit idly by the sidelines, Bontrager is joining in with their new Line XXX wheelset that's built to withstand the punishments doled out by professional enduro racers and weekend warriors alike. With an an internal rim width of 29mm, the wheels hit that wide-but-not-too-wide sweet spot that allows for 2.3” tires to be run without negatively affecting the tire profile, and for even wider tires to easily be mounted up as well.
Line XXX Details• Size: 27.5" or 29"
• Intended use: all-mountain, enduro race
• Internal width: 29mm
• Rim material: carbon fiber
• 28 straight pull spokes
• Boost hub spacing
• Weight (29" with TLR rim strips and valves): 1760 grams. Front: 840 grams, Rear: 920 grams
• MSRP: $2,500 USD
•
www.trekbikes.com /
@trek The carbon rims are made in-house at Bontrager's Waterloo, Wisconsin facility, which is part of the reason the retail price for the set is an eye-watering $2,500. According to Bontrager's Alex Applegate, “Simply put, the Line XXX as it is today would not be as good if made overseas, and we aren’t just saying that, we have tested and proven it. We did not want to compromise with this wheel and the best way to build it was down the hall from where it was designed.”
There are a number of carbon rims on the market that use a hookless rim profile, a design that's easier, and thus less expensive, to manufacture. Bontrager went a slightly different route, creating a tiny hook at the top of each rim that works in conjunction with their TLR plastic rim strips. Once installed, the strips are just about the same width as that tiny hook, and at first glance it makes it appear as if the rims are in fact hookless. Those strips make it easy to set the wheels up tubeless, and there's no need to worry about them ripping or tearing while installing a tire.
When it came time to decide what hubs to lace those carbon rims to, Bontrager chose DT Swiss' ultra-reliable 240s hubs, which use a 54-tooth star ratchet system in the rear hub for a quick 6.6 degrees between engagement points. Both wheels use 28 straight pull spokes that thread into nipples that can be accessed without removing the tire, a feature that's not always present on higher end carbon wheels, even though it should be.
First ImpressionsI've only just begun to test the Line XXX wheels, and three rides isn't nearly enough time to comment on durability and strength, but the initial setup was completely hassle-free. I was able to get a set of Bontrager SE5 tires seated and sealed with a regular floor pump, and they popped securely into place right around 40 psi.
At 1760 grams the Line XXX wheelset isn't going to set the hearts of weight weenies aflutter (Bontrager's recently announced 1390 gram Kovee XXX cross-country wheelset takes care of that), but the weight is still very reasonable number, especially if Bontrager's claims of just how tough these rims are prove to be true. I will say that they feel lighter on the trail than the number that shows up on the scale, and even though there was barely a weight difference between the wheels and the alloy wheelset they replaced, I would have sworn they weighed significantly less. There's a very enjoyable snappiness to their handling, with a lively, stiff feeling that doesn't waver no matter how hard they're pushed into tight berms. Cornering was where the wheels' stiffness was the most noticeable - they made the bike feel like it wanted to leap forward, springing out of one corner and then diving into the next with just as much energy.
The big question is, are they worth it? Bontrager have their work cut out for them, especially given the increasing number of less expensive options on the market. The USA-made tag is commendable, and sky high pricing don't seem to have kept other US companies from making their presence known in the carbon wheel world, but it'll really come down to how much of an improvement they make out on the trail. Keep in mind that this is the top tier offering in their carbon wheel line - there are more economical options on the way. Look for a full review one we put more in more hard miles to see exactly what they can handle.
noblwheels.com/products/27-5-33mm-wheelset
Only issue, took 9 weeks to deliver. Hopefully that's not a trend.
It could be worse, I might be thinned skinned and have no sense of humor.
*On the other hand, I DO occasionally show my classiness by spelling "fiber" as "fibre".
I have a set of carbon wheels although in 26" flavour and wonder is there any point as tyre movement does come into play and finding right pressure is nigh on impossible to stop them squirming unless I sacrifice grip.
Needless to say I miss my stans flow exs and that for first couple if rides, they were impressive then forgot they were carbon.
Tyre squirm is my only concern with mine. But then they're only 21/22mm iirc inside bead to bead.
I have almost zero recollection of the events, but feel that I ordered four LB rims and had one set built up with Pro2s for less half these.
Trek should've went with the 36t ratchet.
I think a lot of American brands actually would sell more here if they toned down where it was made and put a few fewer flags on there products.
I had a french car once. It was so dull.
I mean if you're sitting at virtually no body fat, have limited your gear weight and then literally the only place you can easily save weight is your bike now then so be it
These will probably be a good deal on some bikes they come on though. Trek stuff always seems to be overpriced when it's sold individually. Like Trek bikes are priced well, but their frame only prices are ridiculous. I guess it makes it look like you're getting a really sweet deal on a bike when they can say it comes with $2500 wheels...
I guarantee you my homebuilt Nextie Wildcats on Chris King hubs are every bit the equal or better of these wheels. They cost me over $1,000 less.
OK. So they aren't made in Wisconsin, USA. Ironically the CEO of the corporation making them in USA (Trek) is firmly behind and endorses all the hostile regulations and liberal policies that create the sad situation that pushes all the manufacturers overseas to make anything cost competitive.
So-FU Trek/ Bontrager. Don't try and play the made in USA card when your CEO is at least partially behind the entire sad state of USA manufacturing.
elaborate holmes.
Rich like Ritchie Rich
www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/burke-family-paid-17-million-in-2012-state-income-taxes-b99322768z1-269695211.html
or is it just the porn line of wheels... children under 18, it's not going to happen.
i hope you don't enve my xxx line stache.
the branding on this one... :/
ENVE wheels with dt 240 $3000
I-9 pillar carbon $3000
Bontrager line xxx $2500
With better tlr system and rim width ????
While expensive in the land of Gucci kind of a great value interesting almost like a multi million dollar cooperation did research ????
That said, this is still stupidly expensive for a set of wheels, even if built in-country.
I would be putting $2500 rims on my bike which doesn't even cost that much. Does this make sense to anybody?
They still on spring sale at your dealer for around $1,200
Says the guy that just bought Enve's LMAO
Imbeciles will buy it