Bontrager race x-lite clinchers non-aero, non-carbon: worth getting?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have really crappy wheels (heavy, crappy hubs, not 100% true) on my road bike and wouldn’t mind to get something nicer without breaking the bank. A guy on my local tri bb has posted a pair of these for sale (new according to him, gotten with a trek 5900 but he races tubies), what do folks here think about these?

I’m planning to offer US$400 or thereabouts for them. Do folks here think this is a decent wheelset? would it hold up as training/racing or would it be too ‘delicate’? (I weigh 165#)

2

I got a pair of them last year. I love them. I weigh more than you (175) and I haven’t had to true them yet. Try to offer him $350…

3

I also have a pair - Race X Lite (not carbon) - and I love them. I weigh 180#, have ridden them for thousands of miles over the past 2 years, with no truing and no problems. I think they weigh just over 1500g, which is lighter than most wheelsets, but don’t seem to get talked up like other, heavier, low-spoke wheels. Not sure why…

4

I don’t think that I would pay the $700 list but for 350-400 I think they are a good choice. If that doesn’t work out (he wants more then 500-550) get some DA hubs (or AC/king/hugi) laced to open pros or arowheads.

Andrew

5

i have the new ones. raced them on sunday for the first time. rock solid. one of the better wheels i have ridden. even after a super sketchy rear wheel slide, they were 100% true. they came a little untrue when i got them, rode for a week, and they trued themselves. now, if i could teach them to that all the time!

6

I’ve trained and raced my road bike and my tri bike with Race X-Lites (non-carbon) for about 18 months. I’m 195 pounds, and have never had to true either wheel. Well, except for the time I dropped a water bottle thru the rear wheel at 20 mph and broke a spoke, but I suppose that doesn’t count. These are my ‘everyday’ roadie wheels - strong, light, fairly aero with bladed spokes, and super strong. These wheels climb great, but they do feel light and ‘floaty’ over 40mph on downhills.

7

thanks for all the comments, unfortunately the guy already sold them (that was really quick, ad was up only 1 day, grrr).