Bontrager Race X Lite Aero

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
deathride

Bike Setup:
Lemond Victoire Carbon Titanium with Dura Ace

Summary:
Rode these wheels for couple of months and then stored them for about 1 year. I am just a 125 pound rider and never abused these wheels.

Strengths:
Fast and problem free when new!

Weaknesses:
Had the wheels stored in my garage and just checked them after and noticed that a piece of the hub had cracked off. Gonna try to see if they will warranty these, as they have less than 1000 miles of use! Good think I wasn't riding these when they broke and cracked. Seems like these hubs are weak and crack under the high spoke tension. No recommended at all! I would rate these wheels a Zero if I could!

Similar Products Used:
I have used Velomax Ascent wheels, Spinergy Sprox, and Real Design Carbon wheels without any failures!

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Came with bike

Favorite Ride:
Flats

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Optimo Cross, Trek Equinox 11

Summary:
I've initiated a product recall petition for Bontrager wheels. The front hub on my Race XLites cracked while riding under perfect road conditions. This put me at great risk of crashing and experiencing bodily harm.

If you have, or know someone who has, experienced cracked 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 put safer Bontrager wheels on your bike.

Strengths:
The spokes are the least likely part of the wheel to break.

Weaknesses:
Rims and hubs are prone to cracking.

Similar Products Used:
Vuelta XRP Comp. Very sturdy, stays true

Price Paid:  $500.00 at local bike store

Bike Setup:
20 yr. old Davidson custom cromoly with 1st generation Campy Ergo.

Summary:
My old Mavic MA 40s w/ Campy Chorus hubs finally wore out (17 yrs & 10,000 miles). I weight 240 lbs. & was very skeptical of shop's advice but have grown to like wheels very much. Next price point up is $900+. Have put approximately 2000 miles and never had to be trued. Amazing! Obviouly lighter than old Mavics and I can feel it. I hear Bontrager having problems with their wheels but no problems here.

Strengths:
good strength - I weight 240 lbs. and have never had to true wheels!

Weaknesses:
none that I have seen so far.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic MA 40 with Campy Chorus hubs, 36 spoke rear and 32 front

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Have done about 5000 miles on them, hubs are still silky smooth with 1 overhaul on them 2 months back. Semi-aero 30mm profile with 16 bladed spokes works well for ITTs but the weight (mine was measured at 1840g with the bontrager skewers) is a major turn-off. Very bad for hard accelerations/sprints etc. Get it if you do more timetrials/flat roads, avoid if you do mostly pack riding or hilly rides.

Strengths:
Aero
Smooth hubs
16 bladed spokes look great
Durable for daily rides( i only weigh 140lbs though)

Weaknesses:
Heavy
Flex under heavy acceleration

Similar Products Used:
shimano R-550

Price Paid:  $450.00 at A-1 Bicycle, Mesa, A

Favorite Ride:
bianchi 928

Bike Setup:
Bianchi 928, Dura Ace, compact FSA cranks

Summary:
Rear rim showed cracks around spokes at 5,000 miles. Bontrager replaced wheel at no charge. Front wheel did same at 6,500 miles, Bontrager replaced. Spokes had to be packed to keep tight. Do stay true, ride smoothly but are not as durable as one would hope.

Strengths:
Ride these wheels on descent roads and they are among the best. Pay attention to upkeep. They are probably more reliable for riders under 200 lb. even though manufacturer denies weight limitations

Weaknesses:
Not durable everyday wheels. Respect them for what they are--nice looking and somewhat light for the money--definately not bomb proof

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Kys and Shimano (early) production 550