Does anyone know anything about these wheels? I am looking at the difference between the 7.0 Speed Concept and the 7.8. It is quite a difference in cash, so I’m trying to decide if it is worth it or not. I am in need of race wheels, but I don’t know for how long I would be happy with these. I kind of infatuated with the wheels that must not be named but do rhyme with foe. Any additional info would be much appreciated.
The Aura wheels are brand new. Not even available yet, so you wont find anyone with experience. They are basically a new version of the old Aeolus ACC wheels. It’s an aluminum rim with a 50mm deep carbon aero section. Also, Trek doesn’t make a Speed Concept 7.8. Highest model is 7.5.
The UK websites seem to have a 7.8 for 2012.
Ok yea sorry, didn’t think about the new 2012. Yea the 2012 will supposedly offer a 7.8 model with those Aura wheels.
If they are like the Aerolus 5.0 then they are great wheels. Good for training and racing. In fact nicest all round wheels I have owned.
My guess is they had similar drag numbers to the Jet 60’s.
Any other feedback on these wheels?
I looked at them at my LBS last week. Nice looking wheels. Unfortunately my budget can not handle a front and rear, so I will probably only purchase the rear this year.
when do they become available for purchase? I actually had looked at them yesterday and couldnt find them anywhere, now I know why.
From what I understand the only place you can get these right now is if you buy a Trek SC 7.8. I was lucky enough to find someone who bought a 7.8 and did a wheel upgrade so mine are sitting here waiting for the snow to melt. I haven’t ridden them yet but they look great.
Anyone know if you can put a wheel cover on the rear? (I am aware of the challenges with a wheel cover on the SC)
My LBS has a rear and front hanging up as at the front desk. And you do not have to buy a SP Concept to get them.
I wanted to bring this thread back up and hope to hear some new, if any, information about the wheels. From Bontrager’s website, it appears the rim shape is similar to the Aeolus D3, which I believe is wider and blunter edge, similar to the HED Jet SCT. I was looking mainly to compare these to a HED Jet 6 non-SCT. If they are wide and blunter, I would assume the 1cm depth difference would be compensated by the improved shape.
Also, from close up pics on the Bontrager website, it appears the spokes enter fairly straight into the fairing on the rear wheel, with some extra cutout space available on the outside. My question: Does this look to be Powertap lace-able? Or would a different drilled rim be needed, ala Jet.
Chime in, please, if anyone knows further, or I’ll likely contact Bontrager directly for some of this info.
Can’t help with the power tap info but I went to my LBS today to order some new bars and looked at the Aura5 closely. Retail price was $525 for the front and $675 for the rear. The mechanic said that they received good wind tunnel tests on the wheels and with the aluminum brake tracts you could use the same brake pads as those on any aliminum training wheels. I really like the wheels and I can’t speak for comparisons with HED or ZIPP but they are more in line with what I could spend for a brand new wheel set. This probably doesn’t help you much with the decision but maybe you could get a LBS to let you demo the wheels?
Bought the aura 5s from my LBS and have been using them for 3 months now on flat and undulating roads. Have noticed that I have gone 2kms/hr faster than my normal training wheels. That said this is my first aero wheelset so I have no point of comparison. Generally happy with it as I didnt want to splurge on big $$$$ on a wheelset. I am a fairly light rider at 54kgs. I have found they are really comfortable and easy to manage on twisty and DH sections. There are times I have even forgotten I am using aero wheels. Feels a bit heavy though when starting. But once you get your momentum seems fairly faster. I go from 34-40km an hr.
Have a friend looking at these. How would these compare to the SRAM S60s? we can get for exact same price.
The main difference is the Aura spokes attach to the rim and the carbon is non-structural.
The SRAM S-60 has the spokes attached to the carbon which is attached to the alum. rim.
The Aura is built like a HED Jet wheel and the SRAM like the classic clincher Zipp
Have a friend looking at these. How would these compare to the SRAM S60s? we can get for exact same price.
The Auras will probably be faster. The SRAM S60s have the old Zipp 404 hybrid-toroidal shape, sans dimples. The Auras use a modern, wide-rimmed, blunt-nosed shape that in general seems to produce lower drag numbers as well as reduce the effects of cross winds on the front wheel.