Bontrager Race X-Lite

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Albuquerque Bike Cen

Favorite Ride:
Most anywhere

Bike Setup:
Trek Madone 5.9 "06

Summary:
Purchased a 2006 Trek Madone 5.9 which came with Bontrager Race X Lites. I had two rear wheels develop cracks on the rim. The first was replaced with another '06 wheel. That one developed two cracks and was repaced with the newer and seemingly stronger 07 wheel. I have since sold that bike to a friend and so far the newer X Lites have held up for him. He is , like me about 190 lbs. A mechanic at an Albuquerque bike shop said these wheels are not advised for anyone over 165 lbs??????Bottom line, the 07's and later seem to be stronger.

Weaknesses:
06 and earlier clearly not strong enough for serious riders

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Elites

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Trek 52000

Summary:
Fortunately Trek is a stickler on their warranties, and although their Race Lites have a 5 year warranty, my rear wheel's hub failed in 5 years and a couple of months. I am now riding on new (non Bontrager Race Lites.) If they had replaced the wheel I might have been snookered into using them. Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on you. After my experience, I don't trust the wheels, and life is too short.

Strengths:
Nice fast wheel

Weaknesses:
Based on other reviews, un-reliable, maybe even dangerous

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Price Paid:  $0.00 at Marty's Reliable Ran

Bike Setup:
Look 585, DA triple, Vredestein Quattro's @ 110PSI

Summary:
A very satisfactory wheelset at a reasonably light weight. Purchased 2006 model with flangeless hubs. Test rode them and preferred their ride quality, price, and warranty to other factory wheelsets. My rims have eyelets and I check them carefully for flange/rim cracks. 2 years and 13,000 miles without any problems. Arrived true (lateral and round) and stayed that way through daily year round commuting, dirt/gravel roads and overly enthusiastic (stupid and abusive) riding.

Strengths:
Very nice wheel for everyday use. Reasonably light, nice ride quality for most riding(responsive, not too stiff or too flexible), durable, stay true. Very easy to service freehub. The bike shop rates their warranty service as excellent, and others less so. Seals are very effective. Finish holds up well and is easy to clean. Nice quick releases.

Weaknesses:
Not really stiff enough for a race wheel. Seals work well, but combination of seals and freehub causes drag that is noticeable only in a wheelstand, not on the road.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic (stiff, not as nice ride quality, higher price, scared off by poor warranty service), Velomax (very similar to Race X), Neuvation (better value, not as good ride), Campagnolo (very nice, higher price), handbuilt box section rims (nice ride, good durability, heavier)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at private sale

Favorite Ride:
Any Century

Bike Setup:
Trek Equinox 11 OCLV, it slices the wind.

Summary:
When I tested the bike these wheels came on, I was amazed at the smoothness and surprised how quickly aluminum wheels could accelerate. I ended up buying this bike from the original owner at what I thought was a bargain. I took the bike out for a couple of test rides in my quiet neighborhood to make sure the seat and handlebar positions were comfy. On my first real ride, I found myself blasting over 30 mph with the slightest of tailwind.

The fantasy ended on my next training ride. I was about a mile from home when I noticed a huge wobble in my front wheel. I stopped to take a look at it, and returned home. That night I examined the wheel and found a large crack that completely opened a spoke hole in the flange and was making its way across the hub shell. There was another smaller crack that was just starting.

I emailed Bontrager asking for a replacement because these wheels failed in a way that could have been catastophic. Since I was not the original owner with a receipt, they blew me off. I sent pictures of the cracks to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They investigate product safety claims and issue product recalls.

This is not the only review website I've read about cracked Bontrager Race X-Lite hubs and rims built around 2005.

If you have, or someone you know of has, experienced cracks hubs or rims on Bontrager road wheels, please contact the CPSC at http://www.cpsc.gov/
info@cpsc.gov

You can also fill out a claim online,
http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

The more claims made will speed along the recall process and pull safer Bontrager wheels on your bike.

Strengths:
Look good, lightweight, spin up fast

Weaknesses:
The flange and hub shell cracked, not very safe.

Similar Products Used:
Vuelta XRP, very solid
Shimano WHR-550
HED Jet 9 / Jet Disc

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere where there are mountains.

Bike Setup:
2005 Trek 5000, Ultegra Triple, Fizik Arione seat. Contintenal GP 4000 tires.

Summary:
I would like to say these wheels are great - and it's true, they are stiff, light, and roll nicely. I've never had them go out of true, and have never broken a spoke. (I ride 8000 miles a year, and weigh 182 lbs. Other than in group training rides, I don't race, but do lots of long distance rides and lots of climbing.)

However, I wouldn't recommend these wheels for everyday use. I'm on my fifth set of Bontrager's. The first two sets were the low end Race models. They both developed cracks at the spokes on the rear wheels, after around 5,000 miles each. Both were replaced under warranty, no questions asked. After the second wheel cracked, I was upgraded to a Race Lite rear wheel, for free. It also developed cracks after around 3,000 miles. Then I was upgraded to Race X Lite wheels (the pre 2008 model). The rear wheel was free, but I purchased a matching front wheel. The rear wheel developed cracks after around 4000 miles. So then Trek upgraded me to the 2008 Race X Lite model, and threw in a matching front wheel for free. Unfortunately, the rear wheel didn't last more than 3000 miles before cracking. Again, Trek replaced for free, no questions asked. So I'm on my 2nd rear 2008 Race X Lite wheel, and fifth overall set of Bontrager's. My latest set have about 4000 miles on them.

It's too bad these wheels aren't durable, because they look and ride like a dream. To Trek's credit, they have replaced the cracked wheels promptly and without question each time. They've upgraded me two levels from Race wheels to Race X Lite wheels. But if I could afford another brand of wheels with same ride quality, I would certainly switch.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, spin up quickly and roll nicely. The 2008 model also looks great too. The DT Swiss hubs on the new model seem well designed, much better than the flangeless design of the older models.

Weaknesses:
Simply not durable. If you own a set of any of the Bontrager wheels, from Race to Race X lites, be sure to check them regularly for cracks at the spokes, especially in the rear wheel. I routinely check other rider's wheels of this brand. They think I'm crazy. But so far, I've spotted cracked rims on two of my friend's bikes. Stand firm if your LBS gives you grief about replacing these wheels under warranty. My LBS has had these wheels replaced for me 5 times, no questions asked.

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race, and Race Lites.