Xentis is better known for their five-spoke full carbon wheels, but it’s their new Silver line road wheels that are handmade in Austria, including the carbon production, that were in the spotlight at Sea Otter Classic.
They build in three depths, getting wider and rounder as they get deeper. The spoke holes are drilled asymmetrically, and they partnered with DT Swiss to make specially developed nipples that keep the spokes aimed straight at the rim, so there’s no binding or bending.
The shallowest is a 25mm deep, narrow, lightweight model. On the 42mm and 58mmm, a magnet is embedded in the rim across from the spoke hole, which not only balances the wheel a bit, but means you don’t need to add one for speed sensors or bike computers.
They use shaped valve holes with rubber “anti rattle” inserts, too, which is nice, but their big tech story is the braking surface.
They machine off the outer layer of resin, which creates a rougher surface for more friction in any condition. And they don’t require carbon-specific pads, so you can run any pad you want but retain the heat dissipation properties of carbon. The finish is also scratch resistant, so it should look better longer.
Below the braking surface, the rim uses a scalloped raised shape called the Active Tubulator to hold air flow against the surface and reduce turbulence. The Silver Line models get new, 11-speed-ready hubs with ceramic bearings and a slightly oversized flange. The new design runs straight pull spokes on all but the drive side rear. Prices start at $3,095 and go up about $100 per rim size.
New Silver Line carbon road bike clinchers also made an appearance, weighing in at just 1,225g for the 25mm deep pair.
For mountain bikes, the new Xentis Squad 29er wheels use tubeless-ready carbon clinchers and come in two varieties. An Extralight model (1,360g with QR hubs, 1440g with 15/X12 thru axles) has an 80kg rider/bike weight limit. The standard model ups the weight limit to a 100kg rider/bike combo and weighs in at 1,450g or 1,530g depending on hub configuration.
SUN-RINGLE
Sun-Ringle’s A.D.D. freeride/DH wheels get a 27.5″ size with a 30mm outside rim width. Weight is 987g front and 1131g rear (2,118g total). They come with all appropriate axle options (Front 9/15/20 and Rear 135×12, 142×12, 150×12 and 157×12) all of which just pop and play. They use 28 spokes per wheel, price is $799.99.
STAN’S NO TUBES
Stan’s NoTubes Race Gold 29er wheels received a couple updates recently, and SOC was the first chance we had to lay eyes on them. Their top of the line (1,390 gram!!!) wheelset now comes with higher end alloy valve stems to save a few precious grams, and the rim profile is changed slightly to give the tire a wider 21.4mm inside bed with shorter interior sidewall heights. Those, combined with a rounded center channel groove, helps the tires seat a bit easier and push more of the air volume up to the tire rather than in the rim, giving it a better overall feel.
