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Formula Brakes Feral MTB Disc-Compatible Wheelset Wheelset

2.7/5 (10 Reviews)

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Reviews 1 - 10 (10 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Fujiryu a Weekend Warrior from McChord AFB WA

Date Reviewed: December 29, 2008

Strengths:    Light, Nice looking, Cross compatible braking.

Weaknesses:    Can't find then anymore.

Bottom Line:   
Well, I bought these in 2001, I think. They took quite a beating and didn't fail untill this year when i was riding to work. I didn't know what it was at first but one of the spokes gave. I brought it to a LBS and replaced the spoke but found out under further examination that the rim was beaten up badly. I realized over the years that it was not ment for the type of riding it would endure or the frames it was on untill now. My wheel is currently at the shop and I was told that there's a flat spot and the spokes are about to give. They don't sell these anymore, I think. I'm not exactly sure what was going on with some of the others that have purchased these, but these wheels had taken a lot of abuse. I plan to replace them due to their age and usage. I recommend these if you're a rough XC rider.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Bootleg Canyon, Bolder City, NV

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Price Paid:    $200.00

Purchased At:   Supergo

Bike Setup:   First: Cannondale CAAD2 Headshok Fatty D, Shimano Build, LX Rim brakes
Second: Weyless Superlight SP, Psylo SL
Final: 2007 Gary Fisher HIFI Plus frame, Psylo SL, Rear avid BB5 disc brakes.
Overall Rating:1
Value Rating:1
Submitted by Mark S. a Cross Country Rider from Spokane WA

Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004

Strengths:    None

Weaknesses:    Read "Bottom Line". I should've read the reviews here on MTBR before I purchased these P.O.S.s.

Bottom Line:   
I should've read John's post below. I bought this wheelset w/ the recommendation of my LBS owner. Said they were better than Shimano - NOT. Just like John below, my wheels last 3 rides totalling no more than 50km. Rear hub is loose and has play. Worst part is, I'm on vacation and I'm having difficulty finding a bike shop open. I'm going to put my foot my LBS owner's ass when I get back home.

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Favorite Trail:   Dishman Hills

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $120.00

Purchased At:   LBS

Similar Products Used:   Mavic w/ Shimano hubs

Bike Setup:   Hardtail
Overall Rating:1
Value Rating:1
Submitted by John a Racer from Dallas

Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003

Strengths:    lightweight

Weaknesses:    Rims, spokes

Bottom Line:   
These wheels are absolute junk. Both the front and the back became EXTREMELY out of true on about the 3rd time out on a very tame cross country ride, no jumps, nothing remotely resembling freeride or downhill. The same trail that any of my other XC wheelsets have no problem on. My LBS said the front wheel was unrepairable. I have no idea what happened to make them fail. I was using disc brakes, but it was like I was just riding along and all of the sudden they were trashed. DO NOT waste your money like I did.

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Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $175.00

Purchased At:   Supergo

Similar Products Used:   Shimano, Mavic, Sun

Bike Setup:   Titanium hardtail with disc brakes
Overall Rating:1
Value Rating:1
Submitted by Dennis W from Michigan

Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002

Strengths:    None

Weaknesses:    Cheap bearings and freehub

Bottom Line:   
Bearings and freehub are JUNK. No manufactures web site to get tech info to help cross over to better replacement parts. Bearings should be easy to get it is the freehub that has me worried, without good replacement??????? $175 down the tubes, should have bought shimano/mavic combo.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $175.00

Purchased At:   SuperGo

Similar Products Used:   Shimano hubs on all my other bikes, never a problem

Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Jaggi a Cross Country Rider from Finland

Date Reviewed: August 31, 2002

Strengths:    Good looks,bearings.

Weaknesses:    None so far...

Bottom Line:   
Dont know if i'd have bought them,if i had a choice(these came with the bike),but so far no trouble.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Purchased At:   Came with the bike

Similar Products Used:   Deore,LX,XT,Bontranger,Joytech..

Bike Setup:   XC-HT
Overall Rating:2
Value Rating:3
Submitted by Andre a Cross Country Rider from Windhoek

Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002

Strengths:    Well you get to work on the wheels very often. The front wheel seems to be OK. I will give it a 4.

Weaknesses:    Sorry, people, I do hope the manufacturer reads this. It is one of my worst buys. 500km Later and the rear wheel is gone again. It seems the bearings or something died. Freewheel is something I last had on my GT with Deore hubs (3500 km in the dirt)I have to take it in again today for a "FIX" I am taking these wheels bacl to my shop, I do not want them anymore. The rear will get a 2

Bottom Line:   
I am going to replace them with somethong from Shimano.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Same

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Overall Rating:2
Value Rating:2
Submitted by RZK from Chicago, IL, USA

Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002

Strengths:    Looks nice. WTB DB spokes. Strong rims?

Weaknesses:    POS hubs

Bottom Line:   
Have had these wheelset for ~2 months. Had them adjusted when new for wobbly rear hubs. LBS had hard time adjusting them. "Old timer" owner had to adjust them himself. His comments was that the hubs were a bit weird. After 2 month of use including 2 hard rides, rear hubs are out of adjustment again. I have noticed that the front wheel has developed the same lateral play. What a POS. Well, at least the rims have stayed true.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   John Muir / Emma Carlin, WI

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Similar Products Used:   Mavic Crossland, Built Shimano XT

Bike Setup:   Built Giant NRS
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by David a Cross Country Rider from SLC, Utah

Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002

Strengths:    1- Strong 2- Smooth rolling 3- Fairly Light 4- Good with rim brakes 5- Inexpensive

Weaknesses:    Wheel needed truing after first ride, probably not a weakness just break-in.

Bottom Line:   
Front wheel took a very hard hit when I went out of control and off the trail, in my mind I thought, "That wheel is gone"! Took the hit like a champ, even with my crappy shocks. I weigh 195 lbs. These wheels are fairly new so I will write back if I run into problems.

This came from Supergo, they have been excellent with the price, shipping, and true weight of their products (tested thus far). The customer service has been polite but miss-informed. I was told these were drilled for Schrader they were Presta I was also told that another item was unavailable, I got online ordered the item and had the it 3days or so later.
The Web site customer login is screwed up.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $175.00

Purchased At:   SuperGo

Similar Products Used:   Stock Wheelsets

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Andre De Jager a Cross Country Rider from Windhoek

Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002

Strengths:    They look smooth, are light and not too expensive. They stay true. Front hub is as smooth as a 'you know what'

Weaknesses:    I have been riding for almost 6 months now. I raced a MTB Classic this last weekend. This was a very hard race. It took me about 3:30 to complete. When I wheeled my bike to my car I felt that the rear wheel is very thight - I blew the seale bearings. The are dead, this after only 5-6 months. I got hold of new bearings and will install them within the next two days.

Bottom Line:   
Except for this? I think they are great. I will keep u posted on my findings with the new bearings.

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Favorite Trail:   Kleinne Kuppe

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $200.00

Purchased At:   Hatfield Cycles

Bike Setup:   Scwhinn Rocket Stage 2 2001 Model.
Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Glenn a Weekend Warrior from Gilbert, AZ, USA

Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002

Strengths:    Light, cheap, cool looking, smooth, quiet. Works with disks or rim brakes. 1 year warranty on entire wheel.

Weaknesses:    Wheels are narrower at the seam causing slight brake pulsing if using rim brakes. High tension lacing will be a problem if a spoke breaks.

Bottom Line:   
I got these at supergo after the bearings in my specialized hubs failed. I needed wheels immediately and got the disk compatible version because they didn't have the Savage set in stock and I needed wheels NOW.
The wheels have been great so far with no issues. Mine were true out of the box. They are very smooth and roll fast. My only issue is that the wheel is slightly narrower where the seam of the rim is. This causes my rim brakes to pulsate very slightly. Most people won't have this problem because they'll be using disks. I can only tell on the rear brake when riding on smooth surfaces. The salesman at Supergo told me all of the bearings and parts were available when it's time to rebuild them. I took his word for it and didn't check. The rims use WTB spokes so they shouldn't be a problem.
I recommend these for anyone needing a reasonably priced replacement wheelset for disks or who plans to upgrade eventually. Don't buy them if you want to spend a fortune on your wheels or if you must have the big name brands.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Hawes in Mesa AZ

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $175.00

Purchased At:   Supergo

Similar Products Used:   Stock Specialized wheels.

Bike Setup:   '99 Specialized FSR XC Comp. XT drivetrain.
Reviews 1 - 10 (10 Reviews Total)

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