The all-new Easton EC90 XC are the lightest UST compatible wheelset on dirt. These wheelset takes the durability of the EA90 XC wheels and drops half a pound of rotating weight. Super-light at 1285 grams, no other competitors come within 200 grams in UST
Strengths: Light, stiff (considering so light and a 29er), look cool, they spin up fast
Weaknesses: Soo bloody expensive - that is about it
Bottom Line:
Well after the monster purchase of my tricked out full XTR Santa Cruze Tall Boy Carbon last August - I thought, 'go all in' and buy the lightest, strongest, toughest wheels that I could find. Easton carbons fit the bill perfectly. I am 165lbs, mostly race and ride all mountain/XC, no monster drops - getting too old for that - just ride a lot and hammer up and down. I generally run mid to low 20's for air pressure. These are my everyday and race wheels.
These wheels now have tons and tons of miles on single track. Not flat wimpy stuff; I live in Calgary, Alberta and we ride in the Rockies & we ride hard. Besides adjusting the ceramic bearings - so easy BTW - they are as straight and true as the day I bought them - incredible! I love how quiet the rear hub is, it engages quick and is bomb proof.
Mounting tires - My tires of choice lately, due to the mud, are TL Ready Schwalbe Nobby Nicks (2.25), they come on and off pretty easy, just make sure the bead sits in the center of the wheel and you start opposite the air valve. In order to seat the beads I install a tube, pump it up, till the beads seat, then I break the bead from one side only, remove the tube, re-install the tire, almost fully, dump in 2 caps of Stans sealant, and then pump it up using my low volume (road bike) pump - easy! I also have a set of Maxis Ardent UST tires, they go on without the tube trick. They simply air up with my road bike pump - sweet!
The ride is great, you really, really notice the lighter weight, especially considering that 29er's carry extra fat, I think they spin up as fast as my 26er's, and when they are rolling, they eat 26er's. Stiff, yup, I do not notice any flex, but then again I am not doing any side by side comparisons, but if they flex at all, I notice nothing!
So, without hesitation, if you have some money to burn, buy these, you will not be disappointed. Bombproof, yup, some of the crap I put them through should have at least made them out of true, but they said no, we stay true! Enjoy!
Similar Products Used: 1st set of carbon wheels I have evver owned. Other makes owned - Mavic's, Easton's, Sun, Fulcrum
Bike Setup: 2012 Santa Cruze Tall Boy carbon - full XTR - my dream machine!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
argibson
a Cross Country Rider
from Novato, CA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2012
Strengths: Light, fairly rigid considering weight, good engagement.
Weaknesses: I am 175lbs and ride a f/s on xc trails...and the rear rim bead cracked despite using a 2.1 ignitor with 35lbs pressure. I only had them 60 days. Easton descibes on their website and marketing materials that these are "able to withstand seasons of abuse on rough trails" due to the impact resistant military grade armored balistic carbon. They are super expensive and Easton really markets them as bombproof...they are NOT. Upon return they would not honor the warranty and claimed crash damage. BS. I will not buy Easton again and do not recommend these wheels. On carbon rovals now. Have also heard good things about the enve wheels too.
Also, bearings needed adjustment within 250 miles of use in the first two months.
Bottom Line:
Would not buy again. Easton overhyped this product and didnt stand behind its claims. Buyer beware...its an expensive gamble.
Submitted by
1x1x21212
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2011
Strengths: Bombproof. I'm 6'4" 260 pounds. I kill wheels. So far the only wheelset whick can take what I dish out is the old Shimano XTR 970 26". Now that I'm running 2 29'rs... needed a new set of hoops. These are expensive, but are very light, and more important, very strong. I have yet to bust a spoke, and both front and back are as true as when they came out of the box. I like the low noise quick engagement rear Easton hub. The hubs are also red anno and the rim graphics look cool. Have had many compliments on these. Have let friends borrow them to prove that investing in a good wheelset will make their rides nicer.. they've agreed and a couple have bought this set or the very similar Haven.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
For $650 delivered, the last lightest long lasting wheels you'll need to buy.
