Thoughts- We don’t know how much you weigh, what you are riding, where you are riding, how you ride, or what size tires you intend to run. Without that information the quality of the information you receive in response will be as devoid of substance as the question.
BTLOS Wheels
Looking to pull the trigger on some BTLOS wheels. WM-i27AS or WM-i30AS...Can't decide which would be best.
Is the premium worth the $70 upgrade?
Standard: Full Toray T700 Carbon fiber
Premium: Combines Toray T700 and T800 Carbon fiber
Also Waffling between the Bitex Hub and the DT Swiss 240. I currently have 3 bikes with Bitex hubs and they have been problem free.
Thoughts?
Is the premium worth the $70 upgrade?
Standard: Full Toray T700 Carbon fiber
Premium: Combines Toray T700 and T800 Carbon fiber
Also Waffling between the Bitex Hub and the DT Swiss 240. I currently have 3 bikes with Bitex hubs and they have been problem free.
Thoughts?
1 - 20 of 45 Posts
180 lbs.
29 x 2.3 - 2.4 tires.
Mix of trails that are machine built flowy and smooth and trails that have rocks and roots. Rarely do any jumps or drops.
29 x 2.3 - 2.4 tires.
Mix of trails that are machine built flowy and smooth and trails that have rocks and roots. Rarely do any jumps or drops.
I do not recommend the cx-ray in this wheelset I built the i30as on the cx ray and the spokes play on steep climbs, I would choose something like 2.0-1.8-2.0 or cx-sprint.
DT Swiss sent me new free-hubs and associated parts for the three sets of 240's I had that were in the date range. Only one of them had failed at the time. I had no issues after that. Assuming you get new builds, I think you are going to be okay. Though there are still some grumbles in the thread about it on here. I don't think about it anymore though.
I would do the 30mm internal width rims. Rims are getting wider, not narrower and 2.3-2.4 are being designed around that width. Run the D-light spokes which have plenty of strength and will save a small amount of weight over the Race spokes.180 lbs.
29 x 2.3 - 2.4 tires.
Mix of trails that are machine built flowy and smooth and trails that have rocks and roots. Rarely do any jumps or drops.
I currently run Continental Trail King 2.4 and Cross King 2.3 mounted to a Stans Arch MK3 wheelset which are 26mm internal width. Wasn't sure that 30 internal width was the way to go or not. Plus 30 is a little heavier.
FWIW I ordered a WM-i24 just a week ago and decided on the premium wheel. The cost was not significantly more but my understanding was that the wheels were a little stronger (and slightly lighter). I couldn't find anything concrete explaining that though.
I my case these will be XC race-focused wheels for a competitive youth racer. I went with a smaller rim with the understanding that 30mm internal would be too large for a 2.2 tire. I'm planning 2.4 Recon Race on the front and likely 2.2 Icon rear.
I went with the 240 EXP hubs mostly since the BTLOS price for the upgrade seemed more than reasonable.
Although I may check to see if I can still change to the WM-i25 (which is 24mm internal and 30mm deep vs 25mm internal and 25mm deep).
For the spokes the only options posted were straight pull Sapim CX-Ray or Pillar Aero X-Tra 1420 (or the much heavier Sapim Race).
WM-i24
- Rim Size: 29er
- Series: Premium
- Version: XC
- Finish: Glossy
- Weave: 12K
- Hub Type: DT SWISS 240 EXP
- Spoke Count: 28H/28H
- Ratchet: EXP (36T)
- Front Axle: 15*110mm BOOST
- Rear Axle: 12*148mm BOOST
- Freehub: SRAM XD
- Brake Interface: 6-bolt ( Disc )
- Spoke System: Straight pull
- Spoke: Sapim CX-Ray
- Nipple: Brass Black
- Decal colors: Red
I my case these will be XC race-focused wheels for a competitive youth racer. I went with a smaller rim with the understanding that 30mm internal would be too large for a 2.2 tire. I'm planning 2.4 Recon Race on the front and likely 2.2 Icon rear.
I went with the 240 EXP hubs mostly since the BTLOS price for the upgrade seemed more than reasonable.
Although I may check to see if I can still change to the WM-i25 (which is 24mm internal and 30mm deep vs 25mm internal and 25mm deep).
For the spokes the only options posted were straight pull Sapim CX-Ray or Pillar Aero X-Tra 1420 (or the much heavier Sapim Race).
WM-i24
- Rim Size: 29er
- Series: Premium
- Version: XC
- Finish: Glossy
- Weave: 12K
- Hub Type: DT SWISS 240 EXP
- Spoke Count: 28H/28H
- Ratchet: EXP (36T)
- Front Axle: 15*110mm BOOST
- Rear Axle: 12*148mm BOOST
- Freehub: SRAM XD
- Brake Interface: 6-bolt ( Disc )
- Spoke System: Straight pull
- Spoke: Sapim CX-Ray
- Nipple: Brass Black
- Decal colors: Red
Their website says this...FWIW I ordered a WM-i24 just a week ago and decided on the premium wheel. The cost was not significantly more but my understanding was that the wheels were a little stronger (and slightly lighter). I couldn't find anything concrete explaining that though.
Standard: Full Toray T700 Carbon fiber
Premium: Combines Toray T700 and T800 Carbon fiber
The leading suppliers, representing 70% of the total market, of the type of carbon fiber used for the manufacture of bicycle parts are Toho Tenax, Toray Industrial and Mitsubishi Rayon, all based in Japan. All our carbon fibers are imported from Toray Industrial.
For bikes and bike parts, T700 carbon fiber can be used singly as a material to make into products. T800 are not suitable to be used to make products separately because while it is very light, it is also very stiff and brittle. The T800 should be used with T700 carbon fiber together to improve the stiffness of products.
It's not feasible to build 100% T800, as T800 is very stiff, but also too brittle for 100% composition. It is also costly! We believe the combination of 25% T800 and 75% T700 is optimal to achieve a stiff and strong rim, at a lightweight, that still has some compliance to avoid cracking and chipping and give the rider some compliance for bigger bumps.
If some sellers tell you that their bike and bike parts are made fully from T800 carbon fiber, which is not feasible due to the qualities of the material. T1000 is mainly used for in the aerospace industry, and because the cost of T1000 is very high it is not generally found in the mountain bike industry. If a seller is telling you their material is T1000, please be attentive to the reality that they may not be telling you the truth.
This is the main driver for the price difference between the two series of rims, so that you may benefit from some weight savings and increase in stiffness.
I would currently avoid the new DT 240 hubs - there had been some pretty significant issues with the new exp star ratchets that may or may no become problematic.Looking to pull the trigger on some BTLOS wheels. WM-i27AS or WM-i30AS...Can't decide which would be best.
Is the premium worth the $70 upgrade?
Standard: Full Toray T700 Carbon fiber
Premium: Combines Toray T700 and T800 Carbon fiber
Also Waffling between the Bitex Hub and the DT Swiss 240. I currently have 3 bikes with Bitex hubs and they have been problem free.
Thoughts?
Are the dt350 an option ? They have the tried and true "classic" star ratchet system that has been bulletproof forever. That would be my choice over bitex.
I suggest new dt 350 sp have no problem with new exp and weigh a bit more. sapim d-light spokes are good but on the drive side I would give a sapim race 2.0-1.8-2.0
As a counterpoint, I also had a set of wheels built with the i30as with cx ray and have had no issues whatsoever. I am lighter though (~145 lbs). Love the wheels.I do not recommend the cx-ray in this wheelset I built the i30as on the cx ray and the spokes play on steep climbs, I would choose something like 2.0-1.8-2.0 or cx-sprint.
I got some BTLOS wheels last summer with the 240 hubs and they've been awesome. No complaints whatsoever about either hubs or rims.
Nino has been racing with 30mm rims for 3 years now. No reason to go less.
35 would allow you to also use 2.6 tires without getting squirm at lower pressures where you get better traction.
This is aimed at op's terrain and riding.
Specialized and Bontrager tires 2.35-2.4 would have no trouble with 35 rims.
I would go for the premium build. But I would put a note in the box asking for rims at the low end of the weight range. They'll pick them. D-Light spokes.
35 would allow you to also use 2.6 tires without getting squirm at lower pressures where you get better traction.
This is aimed at op's terrain and riding.
Specialized and Bontrager tires 2.35-2.4 would have no trouble with 35 rims.
I would go for the premium build. But I would put a note in the box asking for rims at the low end of the weight range. They'll pick them. D-Light spokes.
Looking at ordering the same in either WM-i25 or WM-i30 (for 2.2" XC tires).FWIW I ordered a WM-i24 just a week ago and decided on the premium wheel. The cost was not significantly more but my understanding was that the wheels were a little stronger (and slightly lighter). I couldn't find anything concrete explaining that though.
I my case these will be XC race-focused wheels for a competitive youth racer. I went with a smaller rim with the understanding that 30mm internal would be too large for a 2.2 tire. I'm planning 2.4 Recon Race on the front and likely 2.2 Icon rear.
I went with the 240 EXP hubs mostly since the BTLOS price for the upgrade seemed more than reasonable.
Although I may check to see if I can still change to the WM-i25 (which is 24mm internal and 30mm deep vs 25mm internal and 25mm deep).
For the spokes the only options posted were straight pull Sapim CX-Ray or Pillar Aero X-Tra 1420 (or the much heavier Sapim Race).
WM-i24
- Rim Size: 29er
- Series: Premium
- Version: XC
- Finish: Glossy
- Weave: 12K
- Hub Type: DT SWISS 240 EXP
- Spoke Count: 28H/28H
- Ratchet: EXP (36T)
- Front Axle: 15*110mm BOOST
- Rear Axle: 12*148mm BOOST
- Freehub: SRAM XD
- Brake Interface: 6-bolt ( Disc )
- Spoke System: Straight pull
- Spoke: Sapim CX-Ray
- Nipple: Brass Black
- Decal colors: Red
What's the deal with the Asymmetric options? (and are they better)
Asymmetric rims build with more even spoke tension from side to side to make a theoretically stronger wheel, but not as strong of a rim. In the real world I find their benefit to be 1) for most builds you end up with the same spoke length on each side (and in some cases the entire build), and 2) no nipple backing out on the low tension side as the tension is more even. For rim strength there appears to be no real world difference.Looking at ordering the same in either WM-i25 or WM-i30 (for 2.2" XC tires).
What's the deal with the Asymmetric options? (and are they better)
Yea, but what does that Nino guy know?Nino has been racing with 30mm rims for 3 years now. No reason to go less.
35 would allow you to also use 2.6 tires without getting squirm at lower pressures where you get better traction.
This is aimed at op's terrain and riding.
Specialized and Bontrager tires 2.35-2.4 would have no trouble with 35 rims.
I would go for the premium build. But I would put a note in the box asking for rims at the low end of the weight range. They'll pick them. D-Light spokes.
I agree about 2.6s, while they work on a 30mm internal rim, they are not in their happy place and are better on a 35mm internal rim.
I would definitely go with the CX-RAYs; my favorite spoke by far.
1 - 20 of 45 Posts
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