Bontrager 2008 Race X Lite

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Casters Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
SE CT

Bike Setup:
2008 Trek Madone 5.2, standard set up

Summary:
Race Lite rear wheel spoke broke tonight at 518 miles from new this past May, had just been checked by LBS., Just snapped while in lowest gear peddling hard up steep incline, non drive side spoke, no signs of wheel cracks. Web search indicates failure is common for these wheels.Will see how good warranty is --stay tuned

Strengths:
liked them right up to point of losing spoke tonight

Weaknesses:
spoke failure at 500 miles

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Ultegra and Shimano Duara Ace wheelsets-old but good

Price Paid:  $390.00 at Action Sports, Baker

Favorite Ride:
Their all good - some are just better than others.

Bike Setup:
'08 Cervelo RS, 56cm with Dura-Ace.

Summary:
The Bontrager Race X Lite seems to be the Rodney Dangerfield of $800 wheelsets. There's been a lot of bashing on various forums. The paired spoke design has been heavily criticized lately, fueled by the fact that many manufacturers (including Bontrager) are abandoning it. And I think criticizm of the pre-2008 hubs, which apparently had some failure issues, have often been unduely applied to these wheels. But I've got to give them a standing "O". Of course getting them brand new at less than half price was a great start, but beyond that, I can't find any significant fault in them. They are reasonably light, on par with most other wheels at this price point (though I think they may have weighed in slightly higher than advertised). They are laterally stiff - I am 190 lbs and have my brakes set at less than 2mm, and I can't get them to rub the brakes in any mode - period. They seem vertically stiff, even with the large areas of unsupported rim associated with paired spoke. I've hit a number of teeth clensher pot hoes, with no issues. They spin up well without any wind-up that I can feel. They are out-of-the-box true after 3700 miles. They roll very nicely - routinely cruise past or at least match any other wheel when coasting downhill side by side. The rear hub may be a little loud for some, but does not bother me. I find the pewter finish, with white spokes and red and white accents appealing. The rim and hub accents and branding appear to be painted, rather than decals, and still look new.

Strengths:
Stiff both laterally and vertically.
Free rolling.
Reasonably light.
Good spin up.
Perfectly true after 3700mi.
Look good.
In my case, a rediculously low price.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic OEM wheels.
Neuvation M28.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
out of town

Bike Setup:
2003 Giant cfr1

Summary:
top wheels feel lively

Strengths:
strong wheel no matter who rides them

Weaknesses:
none

Price Paid:  $919.00 at Bike Depot, Havelock

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
99' Sampson Kalispell, full Ultegra.

Summary:
From the first ride, I could tell these wheels were going to provide a more comfortable ride than my previous Cane Creek Aerohead wheelset...and they haven't disappointed. Fast to rev-up. less road vibration and shock and better coasting due to the bladed spokes is what I cherish the most...and they look great!

Strengths:
Ride, warranty, quickness, looks.

Weaknesses:
Price, however, you get what you pay for.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Craigs List

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere without Cars

Bike Setup:
2008 Giant TCR Advanced Team with ISP, SRAM RED, Nokon Cables, and Bonti 08' Race X Lites

Summary:
WOW is all I can say about these wheels. I am 6'1" and 205lbs. and I cannot get these wheels to flex! They look great, sprint like a dragster and the response is unbelievable. Went to these from the knyrium SL's given that I wanted cross lacing on drive/non-drive spokes and I will never look back!

Strengths:
Stiff, aesthetics, responsiveness

Weaknesses:
price, but you certainly get what you pay for. Then again, I'm cheap, never paid retail for a bike part in my life.

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium SL, SL Premium, and ES, Bontrager's 2006 Race X lites, Shimano R550, Handbuilt DT-swiss