New wheels- 35mm carbon BTLOS
#1
Sunshine
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New wheels- 35mm carbon BTLOS
Figured I would try some carbon wheels with a more modern width and lighten things up at the same time.
Last 3.5 years I've used handbuilt h+son hydra rims mated to 28f/32r hole Bitex hubs with Sapim jbend butted spokes weighing 1817g actual weight.
Just received handbuilt BTLOS 35mm deep 29mm wide hooked carbon rims without spoke holes mated to 24f/28r hole Bitex hubs with Pillar bladed straight pull spokes weighing 1473g actual weight.
The wheels came with 2 extra spokes, the rims are asymetric for more even spoke tension, the lack of spoke holes means no tubeless tape is needed, I requested 2 drain holes be drilled for each wheel, and in the end I save 3/4 of a pound of weight.
Price was $674 shipped to me.
It took 18 days from order to delivery as the wheels are not pre-built. Once shipped it took 3 days from China to my door.
I looked at a ton of wheels between November and the end of December since seemingly everything has been on sale, but I never found an option that had the specs, weight, and price close to these. And with years of reviews on Paceline and elsewhere, I am not concerned about the brand.
Last 3.5 years I've used handbuilt h+son hydra rims mated to 28f/32r hole Bitex hubs with Sapim jbend butted spokes weighing 1817g actual weight.
Just received handbuilt BTLOS 35mm deep 29mm wide hooked carbon rims without spoke holes mated to 24f/28r hole Bitex hubs with Pillar bladed straight pull spokes weighing 1473g actual weight.
The wheels came with 2 extra spokes, the rims are asymetric for more even spoke tension, the lack of spoke holes means no tubeless tape is needed, I requested 2 drain holes be drilled for each wheel, and in the end I save 3/4 of a pound of weight.
Price was $674 shipped to me.
It took 18 days from order to delivery as the wheels are not pre-built. Once shipped it took 3 days from China to my door.
I looked at a ton of wheels between November and the end of December since seemingly everything has been on sale, but I never found an option that had the specs, weight, and price close to these. And with years of reviews on Paceline and elsewhere, I am not concerned about the brand.
Last edited by mstateglfr; 01-27-24 at 06:59 PM.
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#2
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Can you feel a difference with the new wheels? A little over a year ago, I switched from a good alloy wheelset (same Hydra rims) to a good cf-rimmed wheelset (Roval). Weight loss was about the same as yours. Physics says that the speed difference will still be trivial, virtually unnoticeable, and that is my impression, too. Still, I wanted a second wheelset for the bike, and good cf-rimmed wheels are so reasonable that there's little reason not to choose them. And the solid rim bed (no spoke holes) is a definite upgrade for you.
#3
Sunshine
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Tiny issue, but thought I would mention the part in bold font. That's surely a typo.
Can you feel a difference with the new wheels? A little over a year ago, I switched from a good alloy wheelset (same Hydra rims) to a good cf-rimmed wheelset (Roval). Weight loss was about the same as yours. Physics says that the speed difference will still be trivial, virtually unnoticeable, and that is my impression, too. Still, I wanted a second wheelset for the bike, and good cf-rimmed wheels are so reasonable that there's little reason not to choose them. And the solid rim bed (no spoke holes) is a definite upgrade for you.
Can you feel a difference with the new wheels? A little over a year ago, I switched from a good alloy wheelset (same Hydra rims) to a good cf-rimmed wheelset (Roval). Weight loss was about the same as yours. Physics says that the speed difference will still be trivial, virtually unnoticeable, and that is my impression, too. Still, I wanted a second wheelset for the bike, and good cf-rimmed wheels are so reasonable that there's little reason not to choose them. And the solid rim bed (no spoke holes) is a definite upgrade for you.
Yup, typo for sure- changed, good call out.
I have only zwifted on so far, and thars just the front wheel, but I can confidently say I am the same speed with a carbon front wheel and gravel tire as I am with my road front wheel and tire.
Looking forward to getting them out for some miles. The deluge of snow we were hit with earlirt in the month is slowly melting, so fingers crossed I get out soon.
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#4
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I just put a set of BTLOS wheels on my gravel bike too. I went in a bit different direction and got 22mm IW rims giving a weight of 1155g for the wheelset. We'll see how long they last, but I'm loving them for now. Changing to them (along with lighter cassette, rotors and tires) from the stock alloy wheels lightened the bike up by more than 2 lb.
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Awesome. I love the way carbon wheels feel on my CX/Gravel bike. I think the weight savings compared to my alloy wheels is around 600g and because most of that is in the outside part of the wheel it definitely changes how the bike rides.
They accelerate faster and the bike feels a lot more responsive, quicker to change direction, easier to bunny hop, etc.
I still ride my alloy wheels as I swap between road and gravel tires sometimes and don’t wait to move tires, but I like the carbon wheels so much better that I change the tires on them depending on season (so in winter I have road tires on the alloys, and in summer I have road tire on the carbons). I probably should just get a second set of carbon wheels.
They accelerate faster and the bike feels a lot more responsive, quicker to change direction, easier to bunny hop, etc.
I still ride my alloy wheels as I swap between road and gravel tires sometimes and don’t wait to move tires, but I like the carbon wheels so much better that I change the tires on them depending on season (so in winter I have road tires on the alloys, and in summer I have road tire on the carbons). I probably should just get a second set of carbon wheels.