Bontrager Race X or XXX Lite: Anyone use them?

[saab2000]

Title says it all.

How are they? I have my Nucleons, which I like, but i am curiuos to hear about the Bontragers. One advantage they have is the ability to be trued without removing the tires.

I would be intereted in the tubular models.

TIA

[Fixed]

My friend had the carbons said he loved them, but he sells them.The Jerk would know ask him.Cheers

[saab2000]

I know that Mr. Jerk likes them. I was just wondering if others might have them. But their price is more or less equal to the Neutrons...... The Neuts have some more appeal to me. Sort of like the Alfa Romeo appeal when a Mazda MX-5 is a better car..........

[Fixed]

My friend now has campy wheels I think he agrees with you.

[xcandrew]

Title says it all.


Then why was I confused? ;)

I was thinking that the new Lance designed Race Lite XXX bars have a nice shape to them:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/tech/?id=/tech/2005/features/tour05/round-up3

[H.Frank Beshear]

I've got a set of x-lites on my concours. They are a nice wheel. I'm not fast enough to push them to their limits but they have held up well under 220 #. I've got the tubular version and run campy. Are you still in wisconsin? Frank

[Smiley]

SAAB , I am surprised at you and my other fellow Forumites for even considering pre-fab wheels when such great custom wheel builders out there exsist . Take it from me a person thats put many a new owner on Serotta's , go with a custom wheel builder , lighter wheels , less money and a much better ride .
I have recommended Jeremy Parfitt , Alchemcy Bicycle Works , Santa Fe , NM . Look him up right here as he is a forum member or pm me and I'll send you his contact info . I believe that other forumites that have his wheels are Sandy , Climb and I think Eddie might have some on order now too . Almost very one of my clients has a set too ( too many to mention here anyway ) . I like to see small , good guys do well in our business and Jeremy represents this to me , I benifit in NO WAY from my recomendations , just want to see the guy get his props . You can use Dave Thomas ( whom I also recommended in the past ) . Good luck and think outside the box my friend . Your not a BIG beefy rider that needs the over kill of some of these pre-builts .

[saab2000]

Smiley,

I build all my own wheels, 'cept for my Nucleons. I like them better than my handbuilts....... Sorry to say it.

I will be building another set soon and will probably not get any other new wheels. Spending too much into my retirement and I expect my cost of living to skyrocket when I have to go back out east.

I would except I already have all the materials - hubs, spokes and rims for a new set. I build now with Velocity offset rims on the rear and symetrical on the front. 32/28.

Frank, yup, still in Wisconsin. I will be there at least through August when I will probably have to go to Philly.

[neverraced]

When Lance designs them:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/tech/?id=/tech/2005/features/tour05/round-up3[/QUOTE]
"This year is the first time Lance has used carbon fiber bars for his road bike; the (Bontrager RaceLite XXX) weigh 185 grams for the 44mm width that Lance uses and have a classic, non-anatomic curve he likes. Lance also helped us develop the variable radius curve on the drops; it's not a constant curve and helps Lance get his brake lever position perfectly dialed," said Daubert.

Not a constant curve--i.e. anatomic.

[saab2000]

It's corporate Lancespeak. Pay no attention to it.

Get Deda Deep Drop round bars. They are very nice.

I am wondering about the wheels though.

[H.Frank Beshear]

Hey Jim know any pilots fly between here and there? :D We could do a wheel swap at the QC airport if you do. Let me know if you are able to arrange something like that. The owner of my shop races on the xxx lites and trains on the x-lites. Dugast on the carbon and tufos on al. I have tufos on mine but will change them next year for veloflex or vittoria's. Take care Frank

[saab2000]

Frank,

I was in Moline just the other day. So in answer to your question, yup, I do know pilots who fly to your area....... :D

I strongly recommend the Veloflex Criteriums for all usage. I would qualify that by saying they are not cheap. But I really like them. I have been riding on a set for the past month or so and they have worn well and have not yet flatted. They do not have the tendency to pick up grit on the road.

I guess I am just curious. Fact is I need to be cautious with my cash for the moment. I just started a new Roth IRA. I am 38 and just now starting to get my US retirement fund going. There is enough uncertainty in the aviation world right now that I am going to be a bit conservative. Also, I will probably be moving myself back out to Washington DC (probably the winner of the competition - short term at least) and cost of living there is outrageous.

I have by any reasonable standard good wheels on all my bikes. I am always curious about new things and the XXX Lites are sort of intriguing. But now they are nearly Hyperon-like in cost and then I may as well get the Ferrari of wheels......

Have fun!

PS - I was in the Sheraton right near that Rock Island casino. Went out to a bar across the street (yes, pilots actually do drink beer..... :beer: ) and fell seriously in lust with one of the bartending chicks! Holy Beer Goggles Batman! She was smokin' even before a few sociables!

[H.Frank Beshear]

Sounds like Steve's Old Time Tap. The Blue cat Brew pub a block or so over has good food and brews to. Next time you have a layover let me know salesmen get thirsty too :beer: Frank

[Matthew]

I have a pair of x lites on my Concours and love them. They are easily trueable if you need to true them and are way lighter than my old chorus hub, Mavic open pros. Noticed the difference immediately. Silky smooth hubs too. I picked mine up from my local Trek dealer. They were '04 wheels at a huge discount. Check with your local Trek dealer if there is one in your area. Mine are Campy compatible but maybe the Shimano type were on sale too. Definately worth checking out.