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Thanks for sharing this find with us, really looking forward to your review. Always nice to see more options (and having it in CAD is nice too since I'm in Toronto). If they are as good as you think I'll have them on my short list for the ID29mm option.

 

Clicking on that link I have to think that Nextie and Btlos are the same companies. Websites are identical.

 

I'm thinking most of these guys are selling the same stuff or, rather, are re-selling the same stuff. Their rim profiles and product lineups all look almost identical.

 

@bikerfisher11 - I am also located in Toronto (near Keel and Dundas) - you are welcome to come by and check the rims out if you like, when they arrive. Might as well wait so you can compare Nextie to Btlos. It's always nice to handle something before you buy and I'm happy to help if I can. I know it's tough to put your trust in a company that's on the other side of the globe, and it's hard to sort through what is good and what is junk, who's telling the whole truth, etc.

@Rngspnr - Most of the Asian sites that allow customization of rims have nearly identical user interface. You'll find light bicycle very similar. they are all physically different entities, however. I get the sense there might be a couple dozen manufacturers and resellers in this area. Some make rims for larger companies and have customer direct spin-offs. To get a sense of the geography, check out the map I made of the more well known brands - most are within a few minutes driving distance of one another. Hard to know however, who is making their own stuff, and who is just re-branding and adding cost. I can with some certainty, that BTLOS is actually making rims themselves, and this direct to customer thing is new for them. This scenario is best (in my humble opinion
), because I think this is where you'll get the best quality at the lowest cost. I can confirm the cost part at least - I will soon be able to tell you about the quality, and overall value. Stay Tuned!

 

Saw your post and emailed btlos to see about some cx wheels. Hopefully similar to rg922 gravel light bikes with lighter t800.will follow up when they respond. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Not bad. I'm more impressed with EIE's lineup at similar pricing, except for this one:

https://btlos.com/mountain-bike/super-light-MTB-29er-28mm-wide-22mm-carbon-rim?filter=1

That's the best price I've seen for an XC rim in that weight class. EIE's version is about $50 more per side, though asymmetric and a bit lighter.

 

@mjw - Thanks! I will very likely take you up on the offer to come see them in person when you're done. I'm in Scarborough but would happily make the trip to the west side.
Much appreciated.

 

I'll keep you posted.

 

@alexdi - eie looks to have a very clear product range, which I like. Makes picking your rim easy. And price looks okay, for sure. I don't like the shape of their symmetric rims, but their asym rims look nice. I would however, prefer some options with thicker rim bead walls. They are calling some rims with 3mm sidewalls (the burliest they seem to have), downhill and freeride rims, which is a bit of a joke when other sellers offer DH/FR rims with 4.5mm sidewalls, and trail/enduro rims with 3.5mm sidewalls.

BTLOS doesn't seem to have their product range quite in order yet, and they definitely could use more asym and symmetrical rims in a medium/wide internal width (27mm-35mm). I do think that you'll see those being posted in the near term...of so i get the sense. Seems they do have some nice slightly narrower stuff.

However, if you want a more upscale rim, with combination t700+t800 composition (which is more costly to make), they are fantastic in regards to price. I hope they continue with this sort of offering. This is the rim I mean in specific, and while they have it only posted in 29, they do stock it/produce it in 27.5 also (I checked):

https://btlos.com/mountain-bike/bm29s-36?filter=2,14

Alexdi, are you on boost hubs? Or regular spacing?

I'm on regular spacing (15x100, 12x142), but still chose to go Symmetrical. I definitely believe that asym rims will make a stronger wheel overall and their are benefits, but this particular rim caught me. It's burly, the right width for me, and I can build a pretty strong wheel - well built symmetric rim wheels have never been an issue for me. Also the tall profile means shorter spokes, making my 29 wheel stiffer. Overall they should be lighter, wider, stiffer, and tougher, than the DT ex471 they replace. Or so I hope!

 

I would however, prefer some options with thicker rim bead walls. They are calling some rims with 3mm sidewalls (the burliest they seem to have), downhill and freeride rims, which is a bit of a joke when other sellers offer DH/FR rims with 4.5mm sidewalls, and trail/enduro rims with 3.5mm sidewalls.

I wouldn't put too much stock in the label, though that's a pretty typical wall width. Knight's rims are all 2.5mm, Nox is 3mm, and Ibis is 3mm. Atomik goes up to 3.5mm on their "AM" rims. DH use, to me, demands a rim liner regardless of the width. I'd sooner choose 2.5mm with Huck Norris (or whatever) than 4mm without.

https://btlos.com/mountain-bike/bm29s-36?filter=2,14

That's a nice rim. It's about 50g heavier than I'd expect for a partial T800 layup at that spec. Whether that matters in the context of 1000g tires is debatable. My own wheels are 29i and 39i on 142 and Lefty spacing respectively.

 

Looks like they are out of Xiamen. The vast majority of carbon rims that come out of China comes from Xiamen. It seems pretty easy to set up an office there and have your pick of manufacturers for your new wheel company.

 

My EIE 29i rim came in at 395g. It's paired with a 2.4ish tire at just over 20 PSI. I'm usually around 180 kitted up, riding occasionally rocky XC terrain as fast as possible. I do occasionally bottom it, though to no apparent consequence. Haven't found a reason to opt for a heavier rim yet. I'm sure I'd feel differently in parts of the country with more gnar, but then, I'd also probably just equip the same rim with a liner.

So far, the widest ultralight options are 24i. Wouldn't surprise me to see a 360g 29i rim sometime next year though. If I had infinite money, I'd throw it at these:

FSE 35AM MTB 29er Tubeless Hookless DT Swiss 240 Boost Carbon Fiber Wheelset - FSE.bike

Not sure to make of the quoted widths, but I'll bet they've got the highest strength to weight of anything out there.

 

I tend to take my bikes to lift access DH parks, and do a lot of travel around the east coast where there is more root and rock than soil. Throw in some good sized drops and jumps, perfect. So, I take come comfort in a burly rim

Those rims you posted - those are really nice. Sounds like high tech carbon!

As for the width, I don't mind them. 25mm works well - still plenty Enduro and DH racers on 25mm rims - the ex471 being extremely popular with 25mm inner. I have 2 sets in use . 5mm rim walls...burly!

Super light would be nice, but super light isn't my main concern. But certainly a strong and wide i30mm-ish rim, sub 400g, would be attractive. Especially if it were a reasonable price.

 

My BTLOS rims have officially gone to production, and my Nexties have shipped.

Lily from BTLOS send me the mock-up for my decals. I went with a colored B, and stealth for TLOS. I'm not usually all that keen on these manufacturer names and logos - I can never relate to them really...perhaps I'm a snob. But, I actually think this looks simple and kind of cool!

These will end up on my Black Canfield Riot, with Green DVO fork, and a few other green accents. They will be laced to DT Swiss 240' (green decals), via sapim d-light spokes. They should look pretty slick I think.

 

Got my Nextie rims.

Initial impressions:

On the Premium 29 rims - finish work isn't bad. However, Nextie says on their site that they will be within 0.15mm flatness/roundness. The card attached clearly shows that the rims are outside the guaranteed QC variance. I think that's pretty poor form!

The Asym 27.5 rims are horribly build finished. Very very VERY poorly done. The sidewalls were not build with enough resin and have already started to delaminate - you can stick your finger nail in-between the layers. Design is also pretty terrible - spoke holes on the tire side are centered while the spoke hols on the hub side are asymmetric, so they barely line up. It would be impossible to use a proper nipple driver/nipple wrench to build these - so much for the expensive squorx nips I bought. But, I won't use them anyways because the sidewalls look terrible.

So far, not impressed with Nextie. Definitely not worth the price premium. Not likely I'd evey buy a set to lace and resell to one of my own customers.

 

That's unfortunate. Post photos and Nextie's response?

 

I will for sure, as soon as I hear back from them.

Meanwhile, the joke of the day. Check out the sidewall seperation, and they actually put a QC Pass sticker right next to it!!!! The whole rim lip looks like this. 1-2mm deep seperation in sections.

Nextie QC Pass:

 

I thought BTLOS is another person that lost their bitcoin

 

Wow, Ive built up quite a few nextie and LB wheelsets between friends and family, and Ive never seen anything even close to that delamination. The biggest defect Ive seen so far was visible seams on a pair of promotional/blowout pricing rims. Otherwise they've all been perfect. I hope they make it right for you.

 

Still waiting on replacement rims from Nextie.

My BTLOS arrived today. They fit and finish is perfect. At least as good as the same profile Nextie Premium rims.

They two are virtually identical. The BTLOS rims are perfect, and blemish free, and were much cheaper.

 

Did anyone buy BTLOS CX Gravel-BGU30-29 rims?
The standard version of the price seems very good!
https://btlos.com/road-bike/700c-29...ke/700c-29mm-wide-30mm-deep-clincher-tubeless-compatible-gravel-cyclocross-rims

 

Medium Term Review

I just wanted to update this thread with a bit of an informal review of these rims.

The 36mm Premium rims - I have since had 4 sets of these come across my bench - One for personal use, and three for other people including one 250lb bruiser on a short travel rig.

Personal - I have been riding mine on a Canfield Riot now for the past month. I am extremely satisfied with how the build up - quickly and problem free, largely due to being made very round and flat right out of the mold. Weight was lower than published - 466g vs 480g stated on their website. Nipple bed thickness is very consistent and internal wrinkles/inconsistencies are nearly nil, on par with most high end rim makers. Laced 29er, 2x, 32H - these wheels are stiff - partly due to the tall 30mm depth, partly due to the thicker rim walls. I have been hammering them pretty good with psi of 24F/26R, and they haven't flinched. Given the cost, heck even ignoring cost, I am thus far very impressed.

I am even more impressed with the fact that BTLOS have me the thumbs up to put these under a rider who is 250lbs. I don't recall what these rims are rated for, but I do recall my rider was under the limit by a safe margin. He's been thrashing them pretty hard for the last two months plus, and the wheel are still straight as a whip, zero sign of stress, and he is ecstatic with the ride feel these give when wrapped with high volume bonty tires.

 

Any recent updates with the BTLOS rims? Still working well?

 

I've now purchased a number of sets of carbon rims from Factories and resellers in China. BTLOS remain at the top for me.

I am still flogging a set on my own Canfield - I run sensible air pressure, but I usually hit all the A lines and larger features and they don't flinch. They have stood up very well against rock strikes and misguided landings. And, they are as true now as the day I laced them up, which is pretty incredible. Same can be said for about 6 other people I laced them for and am still in contact with, including the guy who owns the Rocky above who's over 270lbs all kitted up. This guy actually destroyed a DT 350 on the set I laced him - tore the rotor right out of the hub, but the hoop was still perfectly true after the accident.

From a builders standpoint, the ten or so sets that have come across my bench have all been very flat and round - shaped perfectly. Absolutely no blemishes in any of them - they are well made. Last few have been gloss finish, which really looks quite nice as the UD carbon detail is totally well done. I stay away from anything that comes painted, and even matte finish can hide imperfections, but gloss hides nothing. Nipple holes are appropriately sized and spoke drilling angle is spot on. They even go do far as to sticker the rim to indicate which direction they are drilled so you can't mess it up. They build up easily, and they don't deform at higher tensions (120-130 kgf) like I have seen some rims do (Light Bicycle being one).

Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about them.

Lily, who is the point person for all direct to consumer sales, is friendly, quite smart, her English is perfect so I never find there is any fall down in communication, and she will bend over backwards to help you.

I also know that their factory poached an engineer from one of the bigger bike companies, and they are doing things right in terms of engineering, testing, and QC, all in house, as far as I can tell. They also analyze competitor rims to benchmark their own performance, and from what I can squeeze out of them, their rims stand up well against the bigger more well known brands. And they do produce for some bigger more well known brands as far as I know also, but they are very tight lipped over who they produce for, and what test results are - I suspect because of contract obligations, and because that's the classy/respectful thing to do.

 

Great to hear all the positive reviews for BTLOS, but I can't find any rims that match the lighter weights of those from Nextie (their ultralights, which use T1000):

https://www.nextie.net/ultralight-mountain-clincher-34mm-NXT29UL34

or these from eie carbon:

super light 29er 34mm wide MTB hookless tubeless compatible carbon rims

or these from Carbonfan...

https://www.carbonfan.com/t800-tube...rbon-mountain-bike-rims-carbon-hookless-rims-dc-series-width27mm-28mm-33mm-35mm

I'm looking for i25-i30 (I think 27-28mm would be ideal) that are at most 360g for i30, and less than that for narrower rims. Am I missing something from BTLOS???

 

anyone?

 

I have some heavy wheels on order from them. The 29er i29 with Premium T700/T800 "DH" build. I will post pictures and weights once they are here. That is if they ever come (customs problem the first time they shipped.)

BTLOS does do custom orders and they are pretty friendly, so I'd email them if you want to ask specific questions about getting a super light rim. Although honestly at this moment, I am getting impatient and can't give a good review until the wheels are here.

 

Has anybody tried the i30 rims yet? They are 35mm outer and 30mm ID at 25mm deep so a pretty popular shape and size. Just not asym which seems be the all the rage these days. Thinking about ordering some of these.

 

I talked with BTLOS a couple weeks ago, inquiring about this rim vs the i29 rim. Based on my weight (200 pounds) and riding style/terrain (rocky terrain ridden aggressively but minimal drops) they recommended the i29. I was personally fine with this - much more interested in a durable wheelset then saving grams. I would recommend contacting them and getting their recommendations. Amy was very responsive.

 

Got my wm-i29 DH Premium wheels a month-ish ago. They are still dead straight after 3 harsh days in Moab and several hard days in Denver front range -- I tend to be hard on wheels so them being true after this is actually a very good thing.

wm-i29 "Premium" Carbon / DH Layup 29er
32 Sapim X-Ray Spokes
DT 240s Boost / 36 point ratchet / XD Driver
848g F / 950g R

The wheels are extremely stiff torsionally and result in improved precision and easier wheel placement in rock gardens and low-speed tech.

Also, the DHR/DHR tires inflated ridiculously easily tubeless with a hand pump. The easiest tubeless mount ever for me. Prior to these I'd been using 2014 Enve 'AM' rims and those were terrible mounting tires tubeless.

 

Got my wm-i29 DH Premium wheels a month-ish ago. They are still dead straight after 3 harsh days in Moab and several hard days in Denver front range.

Nice - I have a set of these rims in the AM version coming in the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to getting them!

 

Just got my WM-i29 wheelset from BTLOS yesterday. They look fantastic - I went with the black BTLOS decals and I really like the stealth look. The beads look perfect, and the finish on the rims is beautiful.

These wheels are definitely on the burlier side. I chose the M-i29 rims, AM Version / Premium series. I requested 32H rims; with DT Swiss 240s hubs and Sapim Laser spokes, they weigh in at 1800g. I am fine with that - I was looking for durability with these wheels more than weight savings. BTLOS definitely has lighter rims, so you should be able to hit whatever target weight you are looking for.

For people interested in the process, I ordered the wheels on Oct 18, and was notified that the wheels were built on Nov. 12. There was a 3-4 day delay due to not having the spokes available when the rims were finished. The wheels shipped on Nov 12, and the first attempted delivery was Nov 20.

Communication with Amy at BTLOS has been impressive. All questions were answered quickly (given the time differences between the US East Coast and China), and I was particularly impressed when Amy e-mailed me after the first delivery attempt was unsuccessful to make sure that I knew to schedule a follow-up delivery. I don't think I have ever had a company following the tracking of a package they sent to me before.

BTLOS included rim tape and valve stems with the wheels as well. When I mentioned it to Amy, she indicated they did it because I had placed my order just before the Black Friday specials. While it would have been nice to get the sale price, I certainly do appreciate the tape and valve stems.

Mounting tires was a little more difficult on these wheels than on the stock rims that came with my Hightower due to the BTLOS rims have a slightly larger outer diameter. It wasn't a problem - as long as I made sure the bead of the tire was sitting in the center channel, the tires could be mounted by hand without any tools. I am personally counting this as a good thing - I'll take a snug fit. I did need an air compressor to inflate a 2.35 Nobby Nic and 2.4 WT Rekon, but this was true of mounting the Rekon on the stock HT rims as well.

The only thing that was less than perfect is that the hole for the valve stem looks is drilled a little small - the valve stems they provided do not sit very far into the hole and as a result, the amount of stem extending past the rim is less than normal; it isn't quite enough for the connector on a NoTubes syringe to thread onto it unless I move the threaded piece holding the valve core off first. I was able to work around it, and in the future I'll try some different valve stems to see if they fit differently. I passed this on to Amy, and she has already shared it with their engineer to improve the hole size for future rims.

Overall, I am very pleased with my experience with BTLOS. Obviously, the real test will be using the wheels and seeing how they hold up to normal usage. Fingers crossed, but at this point I have no reason to be concerned. At this point I'd definitely recommend BTLOS to anybody looking to order carbon wheels directly from China.

 

Just got my WM-i29 wheelset from BTLOS yesterday. They look fantastic - I went with the black BTLOS decals and I really like the stealth look. The beads look perfect, and the finish on the rims is beautiful.

View attachment 1225827 View attachment 1225828 View attachment 1225829

These wheels are definitely on the burlier side. I chose the M-i29 rims, AM Version / Premium series. I requested 32H rims; with DT Swiss 240s hubs and Sapim Laser spokes, they weigh in at 1800g. I am fine with that - I was looking for durability with these wheels more than weight savings. BTLOS definitely has lighter rims, so you should be able to hit whatever target weight you are looking for.

For people interested in the process, I ordered the wheels on Oct 18, and was notified that the wheels were built on Nov. 12. There was a 3-4 day delay due to not having the spokes available when the rims were finished. The wheels shipped on Nov 12, and the first attempted delivery was Nov 20.

Communication with Amy at BTLOS has been impressive. All questions were answered quickly (given the time differences between the US East Coast and China), and I was particularly impressed when Amy e-mailed me after the first delivery attempt was unsuccessful to make sure that I knew to schedule a follow-up delivery. I don't think I have ever had a company following the tracking of a package they sent to me before.

BTLOS included rim tape and valve stems with the wheels as well. When I mentioned it to Amy, she indicated they did it because I had placed my order just before the Black Friday specials. While it would have been nice to get the sale price, I certainly do appreciate the tape and valve stems.

Mounting tires was a little more difficult on these wheels than on the stock rims that came with my Hightower due to the BTLOS rims have a slightly larger outer diameter. It wasn't a problem - as long as I made sure the bead of the tire was sitting in the center channel, the tires could be mounted by hand without any tools. I am personally counting this as a good thing - I'll take a snug fit. I did need an air compressor to inflate a 2.35 Nobby Nic and 2.4 WT Rekon, but this was true of mounting the Rekon on the stock HT rims as well.

The only thing that was less than perfect is that the hole for the valve stem looks is drilled a little small - the valve stems they provided do not sit very far into the hole and as a result, the amount of stem extending past the rim is less than normal; it isn't quite enough for the connector on a NoTubes syringe to thread onto it unless I move the threaded piece holding the valve core off first. I was able to work around it, and in the future I'll try some different valve stems to see if they fit differently. I passed this on to Amy, and she has already shared it with their engineer to improve the hole size for future rims.

Overall, I am very pleased with my experience with BTLOS. Obviously, the real test will be using the wheels and seeing how they hold up to normal usage. Fingers crossed, but at this point I have no reason to be concerned. At this point I'd definitely recommend BTLOS to anybody looking to order carbon wheels directly from China.

I ordered that same wheelset but with D-Light spokes and she indicated a weight of 1683 grams. So not too happy to hear 1800 with lasers. Of course that is just 3.5 ounces and probably 1/3 of a water bottle. I imagine those will be pretty bomb proof which is the most important thing. Thanks for sharing pix. Mine shipped today

 

1800g with DT 240s, Sapim Lasers and the Premium (T800) rims? Those must be some burly rims indeed.