Atomlab Suprelite Wheelset - Previewed
Atomlab's Suprelite wheelset is intended to be able to take more abuse than some of the featherweight all-mountain options out there, but still come in at a respectable weight of 1890 grams.
Atomlab Suprelite wheelset details:
- Built to be a 'lightweight all-mountain wheelset'
- Uses Atomlab's Suprelite rims and PimpLite hubs
- Internal rim width of 18mm
- Built with Atomlab's strip resistant 20 gauge alloy Torque nipples
- 20mm front hub (adapters to fit 15mm and QR available), 12x135mm rear hub (adapter to fit QR available)
- Rim weight: 500g
- Wheelset weight: 1890g (front - 890g, rear - 1000g)
- MSRP $699.99 CAD (complete wheelset), $99.99 CAD (SuperLite rim only)
Atomlab Suprelite wheelset details:
- Built to be a 'lightweight all-mountain wheelset'
- Uses Atomlab's Suprelite rims and PimpLite hubs
- Internal rim width of 18mm
- Built with Atomlab's strip resistant 20 gauge alloy Torque nipples
- 20mm front hub (adapters to fit 15mm and QR available), 12x135mm rear hub (adapter to fit QR available)
- Rim weight: 500g
- Wheelset weight: 1890g (front - 890g, rear - 1000g)
- MSRP $699.99 CAD (complete wheelset), $99.99 CAD (SuperLite rim only)
What are they: Atomlab's Suprelite wheelset is designed to be used for aggressive cross-country or all-mountain riding, and while they are not the lightest option out there at 1890 grams, the Suprelite's are built with strength in mind. This should put them on the radar of people who ride their five or six inch travel bike like a downhill rig - you know who you are - or bigger riders that don't want to be second guessing how their hoops are going to hold up during a hard day in the saddle. Atomlab is confident that they can also be used on a DJ bike, if you think that you're smooth enough that is. They have a suggested retail of $699.99 CAD that puts them up against some stiff competition, although they may have many fans if they prove to be reliable in what is quickly becoming a category of anorexic wheelsets as everyone races to build lighter and lighter all-mountain and trail machines.
The Suprelite rim is 23mm wide, with an internal width of 18mm. Rim weight is a respectable 500 grams.
The details: The wheels are built using Atomlab's Suprelite 32 hole rims that weigh in at a very reasonable 500 grams each - not exactly a mind blowing weight, but do keep in mind that they intended for more abuse that some other rims. The alloy used for the rims have been taken to a T10 hardness (most mountain bike frames are taken to T6), and have a pinned joint. Internal rim width is slightly skinnier than expected at only 18mm, which is 4mm less than many others and a point to keep in mind if you like to run high volume 2.4-2.5" tires on your all-mountain bike. The outer width measures 23mm, slightly skinnier than the 25mm width that they are advertised as having.
Our Suprelite test wheels are laced to Atomlab's PimpLite hub set and come ready to fit 20mm forks and 12x135mm rear ends, but adapters are available to fit both 15mm and QR forks, as well as standard quick release rear dropouts. Atomlab uses their aluminum Torque nipples for the build that are not only a much larger gauge, 20g compared to the usual 14g found on nearly every other wheel, but also feature a nearly strip-proof torx socket on their head to aid in maintenance down the road, even if you do have to remove the tire and rim strip to access them. The wheels also include the proprietary spoke wrench that you'll need to do any work on them.
Our Suprelites are a standard build straight from Atomlab, but they can also put together a custom wheelset using a 12x150mm rear hub if you want to fit the Suprelite wheelset to your downhill bike. Looking to add some color to your ride? Rims can be had in black, white, green, gold, red and blue. You can even have them put together with titanium spokes if you wish.
Adapters can be swapped into place for 15mm and QR front wheels, as well as QR rear wheels. Atomlab can also build you a rear wheel using their 12x150mm PimpLite hub.
Their $699.99 CAD suggested retail is by no means a small amount of money, especially considering that lighter wheels can be had for less, but Atomlab is confident that their reputation for burly products will continue with the Suprelite wheelset. We'll be throwing them on an all-mountain bike and giving them a proper beat down to see if this rings true. Stay Tuned!
Visit the Atomlab website to see their entire lineup, or check out 1664 distribution if you're in Canada.
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Are you serious? I could easily find wheels with i9 hubs and killer rims for $700..."
And yet you think your used syncros wheels are worth $470????
Or even better: just build your own wheels
Mosh: having fun with the props?
It's definitely true that the wheels could be found for less, and even less than the i9 wheels. But I was to quickly focus on the fact that they are charging $100 for a rim. My comparisons are subjective, so I expect more criticism (hopefully a bit more constructive); it is like NS throwing up a brand new wheelset and a new rim, and suddenly upmarking the prices. Like NS, I personally do not view Atomlab to be a company that could be considered as a wheel-company, although their Pimplite rims have quite the good reputation. I would understand if a company like DT Swiss, Mavic, Fulcrum decided to make a new rim and make it cost $100, because they probably will have the technology, experience/knowledge, etc. to produce a rim that will be worth that (retail) price. Not only rims, but hubs as well. I also do not know how well the Pimplite hubs perform, but I would be inclined to think it is inferior when compared to DT Swiss, for example. It just happens somewhat subconsciously, and I find it hard to believe that a wheel coming from a company, that I perceive as a frame-producing company, can be marked at a price that high.
In a reciprocated situation, it's like Mavic coming out with a frame that's marked at a price similar to a Santa Cruz frame. That's just how I see it. I appreciate criticism, but Mosh, all you are doing is throwing personal attacks; I see it as an immature act.
P.S. I paid $210 for the front hub, $170 for the rear hub, $90 for each rim, $~110 for the spokes.. Just saying.
Who calls what the price is, You cant say that I9's are over priced just because they are more expensive then the AtomLabs. Price needs to be justified. I9's are known to be one of the best non custom wheelsets out there.
The Atomlab's are some random non wheel company asking for $700.
The i9's and atomlabs are a) not comparable and b) in different price ranges.
If you want to compare to something in the same price range look at crossmax st esque wheels. Specifically: crossmax st's seem to blow these out of the water.
Just my 2 cents but at the end of the day id still build my own wheelset with CK or Hope hubs depending on the budget.
@theriotact: if you dont care about the weight of your wheels you have serious problems. Wheels are the most improtant place to save weight. And thats not being a weight weeny its just how you should build a bike.
i think they will struggle to find a market, i dont think an aggressive rider "who knows who they are" is going to run them on a 6in rig and ride like a down hiller even if they are tough
they look sick, spech' the understated hubs
Also, when you say, "i dont think an aggressive rider "who knows who they are" is going to run them on a 6in rig and ride like a down hiller even if they are tough. " you don't quite seem to grasp the concept of all mountain. I race and ride downhill/freeride/dj/street/park as much as anybody on this site does. But, I also ride XC, which like any other style of mountain biking, requires a change in riding style. If one wants to ride dirt jumps, do they "ride like a downhiller"? Of course not. But if one wants to ride all mountain, they are going to be a little more careful on their bike because it lighter weight and the parts are not as strong. Don't get me wrong, I would still go balls out on a dh section on a 6 inch travel bike, but I would be picking and choosing lines a bit more carefully. Anybody who rides a mountain bike knows what it is like to be bombing down a super a sick, dope, gnarly, and or rad section etc... At the same time, anybody who rides a mountain bike has heard the hiss of despair or the loud pang that hurts their ears, and their pocket. If you did not get my metaphors, I am talking about a flat tire or a dented/cracked rim. That is where the Atomlab Suprelite wheels come in. They are tough as hell and they are light. I would say that 1890g is pretty light for an all mountain wheel. Most light weight xc wheels are in the 1200-1500g range. And btw, 12mm thru axels still go on most all mountain bikes. 10mm is for dj bikes.
That really isnt that light for an AM wheelset.Theyre actually pretty heavy stock ibis mojo wheels are like 2000g...id expect more a weight decrease for that price. Dont quote me on any of these numbers but im pretty sure im in the right range. Crossmax ST's are around 1640g and I9 equivalents are in the same range. A custom wheelset would also be in that ish range for a similar price.
So really unless these truly are significantly stronger and your a larger person that ruins wheelsets they really dont seem all that good.
Also your 1200-1500 quote is pretty far off (i think correct me if im wrong please). Lightest wheelset that is a reasonable (aka under 1 grand) price are the I9 superlights (1320g). Basically everything else is 1550g (which is still stupidly low) or higher. Even CB cobalts are in the 1600 range.
Jk about the kona joke, you have probably been riding for way longer than me.
And wheels are expensive
Better weight ,performance,price and a warranty that atomlab is unable to match!
Step 2: Buy WTB dual duty rims. $80
Step 3: Buy DTS competition spokes. $80
Step 4: Pay shop to build. $80
$640 wheelset, 1840g for AM rim, 1940 for DH rim, supreme quality.