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IB14: Syntace’s MTB Wheels Updated for 2015 – Still Insanely Wide, Now w/ More Affordable Options

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Back in 2012, Syntace rolled out collection of wheels spaced 5mm apart in width and ranging from 25mm to 40mm wide. Hit that link for rim and wheel weights for the MX range.

Now, those wheels have grown to include a lower level “M” series that share the same rims but get less expensive hubs. The MX series remains the high end and switches from bladed Sapim spokes to triple butted Sapim spokes. Weight is about the same, but they say that should make for easier maintenance and replacement availability. The W40MX remains a 26″-only offering, and the W35MX is available in all three sizes. They use the German-made hubs with 36 points of engagement using a “spur” system that’s eerily similar to DT Swiss’ toothed rings.

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The MX hub is shown above. The “M” hubs use a heavier shell and only have 18 points (20º) of engagement depending on model, and those wheels will use silver spokes instead of black. They’re still triple butted, but they use 28 spokes instead of the MX’s 32, so the wheels won’t be quite as stiff. Retail for the wheels are $1,299 for MX and $989 for M.

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This is what a 40mm wide rim looks like: BIG!

Syntace.com

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Alex K
Alex K
9 years ago

$989 for an AL wheelset with 20 POE hubs – how is this a good value? Stans Hugo wheelset is $695, has 30 POE and is 12mm wider. Is there something I’m missing?

tim A
tim A
9 years ago

@Alex,
Country of origin counts for something- with only $100 between them I’d be inclined to take a German-made, Star Ratchet (style) hub over Stans’ more traditional ratchets. Then again, the Syntace are horribly loud.

dave
dave
9 years ago

@Alex K Syntace Hitorque hubs do not use pawls, instead that use a magnetic star ratchet like DT. Superior design to hubs that use standard pawls plus you can be sure when buying Syntace you’ll be taken good care of. 3 year warranty followed by 7 years of 50% discount when buying their wheels. Also, in my opinion many people may find 52mm hugo to be too wide/heavy. I understand that hugo is 12mm wider than mx40 but…26″ syntace mx40 =500g claimed ; 52mm stans hugo in 26″ flavor = 560 claimed. So i think the main factors as to why it is more expensive is simply the better hubs and nice warranty… =p

simenf
simenf
9 years ago

The Syntace hubs quieten down after a season or so. Mine have.

Sevo
Sevo
9 years ago

@Alex the Syntace hubs are far nicer and the aluminum rims….if sold on their own…would retail for $160 or so…each. I’ve had a set and it was a sad day when I let them go. I may have to buy another set. The rims…are amazing. You’ll stop dreaming of carbon rims when you look into these.

Also, the Hugo wheelset is not in the same category of use so the rim width is not a debatable point in this issue. Just like trying to bring up Syntace’s dramatically lower rim weight in comparison to the Hugo would be a not applicable as the Syntace rim is 12mm less in width and not designed to be used with plus/+ size tires such as 29+ and 650b+.

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