I have a set of 2009 Comps that I use as a beater wheelset on the Sultan. I also had a set of 2008 Elites that I used to run on my 26" 6.5" travel AM bike. Both sets were surprisingly good considering the price - I picked both of them up basically new on Ebay for $200 per pair. The older models use rebadged DT Swiss hubs (at least on the Elites - not sure about the Comps). The 2009 and newer models all use rebadged non-DT Swiss hubs I believe. Rumor has it that the newer hubs are not as reliable as the older models, so look for a 2008 or earlier Elite set to get the DTSwiss hub. The weights are only a few grams different between the Comps and Elites. The 28mm rim width is nice. The tubeless system works really well with the Bonty rim strip and valve and Stan's. I have mine set up with Rampages and they have taken a lot of abuse. I have put a few hundred miles on the Bontys in Fruita and Moab and have not treated them with any degree of kindness. They are still true and feel pretty stiff for a 28 spoke wheel. I run King hubs and Delgado rims for more XC terrain, and those obviously blow the Bontys out of the water, but if you are looking for a really inexpensive, reliable tubeless wheel, at a reasonable weight the Bontys are hard to beat IMO.
Bontrager Rythm Elite Wheelset...
I am building up a Paragon frame from scatch and am looking for a suitable wheeset.
Bontrager Rhythm disk wheels are spec'ed for the Paragon but not sure if they are the Comp or Elite model? Anybody know? The Elites have the better DT Swiss Onyx hubs and therefore maybe preferred. That said, I am 190# and ride relatively smooth trails but at pretty good speed. I know there are many others out there but what do you suggest for a decent price point which would be a solid not too flexy wheel that will stay in true that aren't too heavy?
Are the Elites as good as it gets say at a sub $400 price point?
Thanks for any recommendations.
Bontrager Rhythm disk wheels are spec'ed for the Paragon but not sure if they are the Comp or Elite model? Anybody know? The Elites have the better DT Swiss Onyx hubs and therefore maybe preferred. That said, I am 190# and ride relatively smooth trails but at pretty good speed. I know there are many others out there but what do you suggest for a decent price point which would be a solid not too flexy wheel that will stay in true that aren't too heavy?
Are the Elites as good as it gets say at a sub $400 price point?
Thanks for any recommendations.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Thanks for the info, I just picked up a pair of Rhythm Comps last weekend to play with the TLR setup. Did you need a compressor to seat the tire, or was a pump sufficient?cutthroat said:I have a set of 2009 Comps that I use as a beater wheelset on the Sultan. I also had a set of 2008 Elites that I used to run on my 26" 6.5" travel AM bike. Both sets were surprisingly good considering the price - I picked both of them up basically new on Ebay for $200 per pair. The older models use rebadged DT Swiss hubs (at least on the Elites - not sure about the Comps). The 2009 and newer models all use rebadged non-DT Swiss hubs I believe. Rumor has it that the newer hubs are not as reliable as the older models, so look for a 2008 or earlier Elite set to get the DTSwiss hub. The weights are only a few grams different between the Comps and Elites. The 28mm rim width is nice. The tubeless system works really well with the Bonty rim strip and valve and Stan's. I have mine set up with Rampages and they have taken a lot of abuse. I have put a few hundred miles on the Bontys in Fruita and Moab and have not treated them with any degree of kindness. They are still true and feel pretty stiff for a 28 spoke wheel. I run King hubs and Delgado rims for more XC terrain, and those obviously blow the Bontys out of the water, but if you are looking for a really inexpensive, reliable tubeless wheel, at a reasonable weight the Bontys are hard to beat IMO.
I would get the Comps. The weight difference is minimal and the cost difference does not justify it.dirtrider7 said:I am building up a Paragon frame from scatch and am looking for a suitable wheeset.
Bontrager Rhythm disk wheels are spec'ed for the Paragon but not sure if they are the Comp or Elite model? Anybody know? The Elites have the better DT Swiss Onyx hubs and therefore maybe preferred. That said, I am 190# and ride relatively smooth trails but at pretty good speed. I know there are many others out there but what do you suggest for a decent price point which would be a solid not too flexy wheel that will stay in true that aren't too heavy?
Are the Elites as good as it gets say at a sub $400 price point?
Thanks for any recommendations.
The Comp hubs are just fine. Cartridge bearing, smooth and in 3+ (4+?) years of use my 26" Rhythm Comps have required zero maintenance.
Most of the time TLR/UST tires air up just fine with a floor pump. Just be sure you have the proper TLR rim strip installed.
I was able to use a pump, but not without first seating the bead with a tube then reinflating w/o the tube. I have since picked up a compressor to handle the tubeless jobs b/c I was getting pretty aggravated with the pump - with a little effort you can use the pump on these wheels. I now just run tubes again for the most part, for a whole host of reasons - but that's a different discussion.
I've had pretty good luck seating tires on the Bontrager system with a pump. That includes multiple sets of Duster/Rhythms and one set of RXLs. I always end up sweating my a$$ off by then end of it, so I've asked for a compressor for Christmas this year.
Brand new tires that are newly un-folded are the toughest...I think it helps to inflate them with a tube first too.
Brand new tires that are newly un-folded are the toughest...I think it helps to inflate them with a tube first too.
A really well written review and thank you for your advice. Thanks as well to everybody for all the great info. I will keep an eye out for a set of either the comps or elites as it doesn't sound like there is a lot between them.cutthroat said:I have a set of 2009 Comps that I use as a beater wheelset on the Sultan. I also had a set of 2008 Elites that I used to run on my 26" 6.5" travel AM bike. Both sets were surprisingly good considering the price - I picked both of them up basically new on Ebay for $200 per pair. The older models use rebadged DT Swiss hubs (at least on the Elites - not sure about the Comps). The 2009 and newer models all use rebadged non-DT Swiss hubs I believe. Rumor has it that the newer hubs are not as reliable as the older models, so look for a 2008 or earlier Elite set to get the DTSwiss hub. The weights are only a few grams different between the Comps and Elites. The 28mm rim width is nice. The tubeless system works really well with the Bonty rim strip and valve and Stan's. I have mine set up with Rampages and they have taken a lot of abuse. I have put a few hundred miles on the Bontys in Fruita and Moab and have not treated them with any degree of kindness. They are still true and feel pretty stiff for a 28 spoke wheel. I run King hubs and Delgado rims for more XC terrain, and those obviously blow the Bontys out of the water, but if you are looking for a really inexpensive, reliable tubeless wheel, at a reasonable weight the Bontys are hard to beat IMO.
Many Thanks,
The 2010 Paragon has Rhythm wheels. The last time I checked the Bontrager website they didn't list these as an aftermarket wheelset. The Comps and Elites are different. However, all three wheels use the same 28 hole rim. The difference is that Comps and Elites use cartridge bearings with double butted spokes. Rhythm wheels use cup and cone bearings with straight guage spokes (and consequently are quite a bit heavier). I have a set of Rhythm wheels and they are OK. Actually, the front wheel has been a fantastic XC wheel. It's as true today as it was the day I bought it (10 months ago). Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the rear. I've had it trued three times because the spokes seem to loose tension fairly easily. On a more positive note, the hubs have held up exceptionally well and still roll very smoothly. As far as the tubeless set up goes, I agree with cutthroat and his technique for mounting tires. Hope this helps. OBTW this is my 69th post.
An interesting distinction between the different Rhythm wheels...Thank for the further clarification ppfeifer...hoops are the same but hubs are different in all cases including spokes with OE Paragon wheelset. Sounds as though the aftermarket Rhythm wheels would be preferred. I too have had good luck with low maintenance cartridge bearings and the weight being slightly less is positive as well.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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