XT Wheels Opinion

[samson99]

what are the hubbers opinion on the XT wheels (tubeless, disc)?

[PhilipV]

Awsome wheels. Xtr performance at way better price, albeit a bit heavier, but more solid as well. Sheesh, I sound like a marketer. But honestly, can't go wrong with them.

[GoLefty!!]

5/5

[ridr]

Awesome wheels. Not much heavier than xtr (100gm I think), but half the price and stronger.  Been using them for 3months. 5/5

[martelpypie]

Good wheels; Just dont like how spokes are attached to rim -- prone to damages due to rocks  - happened to friend of mine; Also to heavy

[samson99]

what is considered to heavy? what is wrong with how the spokes are attached to rim? pls explain further.

[Cranky]

I did lots of research before getting XT wheels 2 months ago. They're great - I lost about 400g over my previous wheels and the hubs and extra stiffness have made riding so much easier. I had to get a 6-bolt adapter from Shimano for my Avid discs - it was easy to fit, light and neat. The wheels look great too. Spokes look fine to me and no problems yet. Tubeless tires kind of "snap" in to the rims as you inflate and there is almost no air leak if you leave the bike for a while. The best alteration I've made to my bike.

[rock]

Good wheels; Just dont like how spokes are attached to rim -- prone to damages due to rocks  - happened to friend of mine; Also to heavy

 

they "attach" like any other rim - I assume you're refering to the older models where the nipple is on the hub, they new ones have the nipple on the rim.....

 

 

[greatwhite]

but the nipple appears to be threaded into the rim - saw one in bits the other night.

[Johan Bornman]

At A

 

but the nipple appears to be threaded into the rim - saw one in bits the other night.

 

 

Yes, the nipple indeed screws into the rim. Shimano tool a very bold step and put the nipple back where it belongs - at the rim. A while ago it was all the rage to have the nipple where its "rotating weight" was supposed to have the least affect but someone did the math, it seems and put the nipple where it belongs.

 

Here's a photo of the nipple. Look at the last photo. Notice how the straight-pull spoke has a head at the rim side and the aluminium nipple is protected with a brass washer. Nice.

 

Those of you with an eye for detail will notice that the spoke has been flattened so that it can be held with a tool to prevent wind-up.  Nice for us wheelbuilders.

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At the other end of the straight-pull spoke, it is held into the hub by a screw-on ferrule that seats inside the hub's star. Also nice. Look at the second photo.

 

Finally, the hub has been redesigned to accommodate an oversize aluminium axle. This means more bearings, which is a good thing. Unfortunately these axles will fail - not in operation but in the first time someone has to service a wheel that's seen a bit of water. The axle's end can screws off and the alu-on-alu seizes like welding. A service is therefore potentially ruinous to the end cap and can be considired a consumable. Have a look at the 1st photo.

 

 

I apologise for the non-sequential placement of the photos. I find this editor extremely un co-operative.

 

I've written a short review of the XTR wheel and if anyone wants to read it, PM me. In my view this is the superior wheel on the market. The XTR seems to differ from the XT only in freehub body material (titatnium vis steel) and rim material (Scandium aluminium vs Vandadium Alu). 

 

I see an end to Shimano's stupid trend of hooking spokes into rims and putting nipples at the hub. Hooraah!

 

 

 

 

Johan Bornman2008-08-13 11:24:09