No matter how good a wheel is today, the big question everyone seems to be asking is yeah, but how wide is the rim? This seems to apply equally to both mountain or road bikes where the width of a rim can have a drastic effect on the shape and performance of the tire. Mountain biking seems to be taking this concept to the extremes lately, but road bikes aren’t far behind if you consider just how narrow rims and tires were not that long ago.
Having already subscribed to the trend on their Squad 7.8 deep dish carbon wheels, Xentis is now adding substantial width to both their Squad 4.2 and 5.8 road wheels in tubular and clincher as well as rim or disc models. Details next…
Building off of their previous aerodynamic designs, Xentis’ new wider rims will still offer superior aerodynamics through their active Turbulator design. Measuring in a 24.6mm wide at the brake track, the Turbulator lip adds a bit of extra width above it. Available in rim brake or disc brake specific rims, the rim brake models make use of a machined brake surface that is compatible with any stock or carbon brake pad. True to their naming pattern, the Squad 4.2 uses a 42mm deep section rim and the 5.8 measures 58mm. Xentis also continues with their built in computer magnets, reinforced valve holes, and wheel build specs hand written on each rim.
We’ll have a set of the new Squad 4.2 Disc Tubulars in for review shortly, but compared to our recent review of the Squad 4.2 Disc Clinchers, they seem to have addressed our main concerns – the hubs are now adaptable to thru axles (at least for the front, we’re checking on the back) and the rims are wider (24.6mm ext).
Xentis will be rolling out the new wider wheels in staggered formation through Stage Race Distribution starting with the Tubular Squad 4.2 and 5.8, followed by the disc tubulars without brake tracks, and finally the clinchers. All pricing and specs listed below are directly from Stage Race, but as with all of their Xentis wheels they offer a complete custom wheel build program as well. Each wheelset includes titanium quick releases, a padded Xentis wheel bag, and valve extenders as well. If you can’t wait to get a hold of the new wheels they are currently available to pre-order through Stage Race Distribution.
Model: 2016 Squad 4.2 ULTRAWIDE Tubular
- Spoke Count: 20 / 24 holes
- Weight: Complete Road Wheelset = approx. 1155 grams
- Measurements: 42 mm depth / 24.6 mm at brake exterior
- Rim Finish Options and Prices: 12K = $950 / UD = $999 / UD Disc-Specific = $999
- Wheelset Finish Options and Prices: 12K = $2699 / UD = $2799 / UD Disc = $2799
- Ceramic bearing upgrade = $200
Model: Squad 5.8 ULTRAWIDE
- Spoke Count: 16 / 24 holes
- Weight: Complete Wheelset = approx. 1354 grams
- Measurements: 58 mm depth / 24.6 mm at brake exterior
- Rim Finish Options and Prices: 12K = $975 / UD = $1025 / UD Disc-Specific = $1025
- Wheelset Finish Options and Prices: 12K = $2799 / UD = $2899 / UD Disc = $2899
- Ceramic bearing upgrade = $200
