Bontrager is back with the second generation of their Line Pro 30 carbon wheels, which they say have twice the strength of the original version thanks to a new rim profile. In fact, Bontrager say that the new rims are the strongest they've ever tested in their facility.
What's the secret to that increase in strength? A different rim shape, one that has a wider hook wall. That's the spot where pinch flats can occur as the rim and tire sidewall are smashed against each other; by increasing its thickness the forces that occur during an impact are spread out over a larger area.
Line Pro 30 Details• Intended use: trail / enduro
• OCLV carbon rims
• 28 DT Swiss Comp Race spokes
• 29mm internal rim width
• Rapid Drive 108 hubs
• Weight (29"): 1782 grams, 816 front / 966 rear
• Lifetime warranty / Carbon Care program
• Price: $1,300 USD
•
trekbikes.com The price of the Line Pro 30 wheels remains unchanged at $1,300 USD with an XD driver. There's also a Line Elite version that uses a slightly heavier carbon layup along with J-bend spokes to drop the price down to $900 USD. Both wheelsets use a Rapid Drive 108 hub that has 3.3 degrees of rotation between engagement points.
The wheels are covered by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, and for the first two years of ownership Bontrager will repair or replace any wheel that gets damaged free of charge.
DetailsBefore getting into the details of the rim profile, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the subtle graphics. The Bontrager logo is no longer screaming for attention in multiple locations, and the overall look is much more low key – I'm a fan.
As for the carbon rim itself, it still has a 29mm internal width, but the overall height has dropped down to 27mm in order to help with impact absorption and vertical compliance. That's shorter than before, although we are starting to see more and more rims come out that have an even lower profile. For comparison, Enve's AM30 rims have a 20mm height, Crankbrothers' Synthesis E rims measure 18mm, and Zipp's 3Zero Moto rims are only 15mm tall.
The top of the hook wall measures 4.6mm, and it's that increased thickness that's supposed to help increase the rim's durability and prevent pinch flats. The rims do have a hooked sidewall, but once Bontrager's plastic rim strips are installed they fill in the space underneath the hook.
The rims are laced with 28 straight pull DT Swiss Comp Race spokes to Bontrager's Rapid Drive 108 hubs. The previous version used bladed spokes, which require a little more effort to true, so it's nice to see the switch to the Comp Race. For riders who refuse to ride on anything other than J-bend spokes, the Elite 30 wheelset is only 100 grams heavier and $400 less expensive.
The Rapid Drive 108 hub uses a 54-tooth drive ring and two sets of three pawls, which means that there's just 3.3-degrees between engagement points. An XD driver is the stock configuration, but Shimano HG and Micro Spline freehub bodies are also available.
Performance Set UpI started my time with the Line Pro 30 wheels by mounting them up with a set of Michelins DH 22 tires. That installation didn't go as easily as I'd hoped – the tire's thick casing didn't want to pop into place evenly, and it seemed like the plastic Bontrager rim strip was to blame. I pulled out the rim strip and replaced it with tubeless rim tape, knocking off around 50 grams per wheel in the process. That setup proved to be the ticket, and the tires mounted up without any issues. I later swapped to a Maxxis Assegai / DHR II combo, and those both mounted without trouble using the same rim tape set up.
On the Trail The original Line Pro 30 wheels were on the stiffer side of the spectrum, but that feeling's been toned down a little on the new version. The wheels now have more of a neutral feel, one that's not overly harsh or jarring in rough terrain. I'd put them in a similar stiffness category as We Are One's Union rims – comfortably solid is the term that comes to mind. Solid often comes with a weight penalty, but that's not the case here - 1782 grams is quite reasonable for a wheelset that can handle everything from trail rides to DH shuttle laps.
The hub engagement is nice and quick, and after a few months of muddy riding the bearing are all still spinning smoothly and free of any excess play.
These wheels have seen plenty of solid impacts over the last few months and they're still spinning straight and true. I'll update this review if anything changes, but so far they've held up impressively well to multiple big rock and root hits, the kind where you can hear (and feel) the rim hitting the obstacle. If they were aluminum rims I have no doubt they'd have at least a few dents by now, but there's not a hop to be seen.
Pros
+ Comfortable + solid ride feel
+ Less expensive than comparable options
+ Relatively light weight for this category
Cons
- Plastic rim strip can make it harder to seat some tires
- Warranty terms are reasonable, but not the best
Pinkbike's Take | Bontrager's Line Pro 30 remain one of the better values out there when it comes to carbon wheels. The weight, price, and performance all add up to make them an excellent option for anyone looking for a new high end set of wheels that won't completely wipe out their bank account.— Mike Kazimer |
Otherwise the WAO offering is better though.
I do wish dt350s were still a stock (and even cheaper) option with WAO, but their current package is still pretty stellar.
"Did you know our lord and savior We Are One costs only pennies and is hand laid in the holy land of Kamloops and not some slave market in Asia where they dump by-product of carbon manufacturing in the sea?"
Man, they might make a good product -- I have nothing against that. But the adherents to this brand are just so weird. I know you have people who will swear by any given brand -- brands they've had great experiences with and who have treated them well, but there's something very hive-minded about We Are One. It comes across as really odd to me.
WAO ticked all the boxes of how to be a top brand before any of their competitors caught on to what the market was asking for in terms of warranty and price. Is it really that hard to believe that they have this many loyal followers? You make a really f'n good product, for a better price than others, with a more competitive warranty and make it all domestically? They're really in a league of their own.
“ The wheels are covered by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, and for the first two years of ownership Bontrager will repair or replace any wheel that gets damaged free of charge.”
Best bike warranty experience ever. I'm now on my second set of Unions and they have been bomb proof so far!
I don't have a problem with it. I just think it's funny. And odd. Also, while I know there is a good deal of organic praise for their wheels, I also feel like there are a lot of corporate talking points in a lot of these comments. Smells off to me.
I've been impressed with Hydra's and 1/1's. So far, they have been pretty free of issues here.
If you like DT Swiss, check out Erase hubs. Light than DT240's, similar ratchet design that comes stock with a physically larger ratchet witt 60T, angular contact bearings, titanium freehub...worth a look.
I think people just need to ride and not worry about having the latest, greatest and most expensive bike on the trail. I know plenty of people on older gen bikes that rip waaay harder than the dude on his $12k bike. But if it makes you happy, go for it!
One thing I dislike is they only offer them in XD as you mentioned, so you're stuck buying a $130CAD freehub body and don't forget your $27CAD Micro Spline end cap! I swapped my NX/GX parts on my Fuel EX 9.7 for a full XT 12 speed and of course I didn't realize that the end caps had to be purchased separately... Most brands when buying their wheels at this price, offer you the choice of which freehub body you want.
Carbon has it's value, but I think using carbon for the sake of carbon is starting to wear thin, hence the rebirth of aluminum and steel.
Gary Fisher.... Never buys the drugs - party foul. But after all those years of getting fried - he loves the limelight and the public loves his quirky demeanor. He presents himself as a sort of real-life Willy Wonka for the bike industry. I like that too.
My plastic rims and bike (al chainstays) have survived me. Even with the odd gap jump case (boy did my ribs hurt after that one).
Bloody good product and would be happy to buy again.
I’m super happy with my Bontrager wheels, ended up putting a set on my wife’s Fuel EX.
-Strength to weight, especially in 29"
-Less truing; less denting
-Ride feel
Disclaimer: I currently use XM481 27.5, Reserve 27 27.5 (rear only), and Deemax Pro 27.5 (front only). Used Nox Farlow 29" from 2017 on a stout steel 140mm hardtail. Killed Arch and Flow EX rears, still have the Farlow.
I've got a set of the previous Kovee XXX's and can't believe they're still round and true, given some of the knocks they've taken. Not cheap, but brilliant wheels.
Was wondering if you could comment on the sound. For me, personally, sound is the fourth most important aspect of a wheelset after weight, feel, and durability. Are these loud compared to other hub designs currently on the market?
So, it will be a raceface next R31 carbon wheels or simply another set of reynolds blacklabels which has so far proven to be great. I will just need to ignore the price again.
NEXT!
So I'm out of luck if I pay someone to damage my wheels?
That's a PRO.
Let that sink in...
enduro-mtb.com/en/super-boost-plus-standard
We Are One Union vs Bontrager Line Pro 30
Cheers