Despite enthusiastic support and strong reviews overseas, Austrian carbon fiber wheel specialists Xentis are all but unknown in North America. Distributors Stage Race are determined to gain the company a beachhead in the new world.
Seen here in Stage Race’s Interbike booth, the 1,394g (claimed) Squad 4.2 Silver Line clincher wheelset has a number of features that set it apart. First and foremost is Xentis’ patented carbon fiber brake track, which is claimed to deliver aluminum-like braking—even in the wet—when used with standard (non-carbon) pads. Just below the brake track sits a series of active turbulator scallops, which serve to prevent the drag caused by smooth air as it ‘sticks’ to the trailing edge of the wheel.
There’s more below the break!
Added to are these niceties like handwritten runout and signature from the builder as well as rattle-reducing valve stem grommet and in-molded computer magnet. See the entire line, including 26in and 29er mountain wheels, at www.xentis.com.
edit: MSRP for the 4.2 clinchers is $2,695, the 5.8 tubulars $2,795. “Silver Line” ceramic versions of each will be available in November.
