BTLOS vs Light Bicycle vs Elite-Wheels

[TomP]

Hi all, I have read reviews of all the above and they all seem to be good solid wheels. I'm looking to have built a set with DT Swiss 350 hubs, 35 deep rim brake with textured brake track, and Pilar spokes. I weigh 135 lbs. Any advice on which is preferred or something else to do with the build would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[nmrt]

Ridden both BTLOS and LB wheelsets. They both ride similarly. But in the deeps of my brain, if I squint hard enough, I feel LB rim's have a better finishing (for the same finish. But I would not hesitate to buy either.

No idea what Marvel is. But both LB and BTLOS are marvelous.

Originally Posted by TomP

Hi all, I have read reviews of all the above and they all seem to be good solid wheels. I'm looking to have built a set with DT Swiss 350 hubs, 35 deep rim brake with textured brake track, and Pilar spokes. I weigh 135 lbs. Any advice on which is preferred or something else to do with the build would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[TomP]

Thanks. The Marvel is actually the name of the rim. I should have said Elite wheels.

[joeminglin]

Just got a set of LB on Bitex hubs with a gloss finish. Took 2 months to get em. The finish feels a little better than my farsports but could just be the glossy finish.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...8&postcount=47

[mstateglfr]

My experience with btlos 5 months ago will make it tough for me to look elsewhere when I buy another carbon wheelset.

The lack of spoke holes is awesome since the wheels are pre-built.
They are easy to select options and buy, the cost is great, and they delivered in less than 4 weeks.

Fwiw, I will continue to buy bitex hubs until I experience any of them being an issue in any manner. They cost less and are lighter than 350s.

[Jdm]

I like BTLOS vs Light Bicycle. They're both very good. I would decide simply on which has the rim specifications you exactly want - internal width, depth, weight, time to delivery etc.

[edgerat]

BTLOS built by OldPotatoe here is the way to go

[TomP]

Thanks again. I've decided to now go with Bitex hubs after further reading and review. I'm 99% sure I'll also go with the BTLOS.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by TomP

Thanks again. I've decided to now go with Bitex hubs after further reading and review. I'm 99% sure I'll also go with the BTLOS.

I have two sets of BTLOS wheels with Bitex hubs. Both have a very occasional clunk from the freehub. Brandon at BikeHubStore (awesome resource!) said that is a known issue with those hubs (they're the current disc hub that BTLOS carries) and he sent me replacement pawl springs. I did the replacements, and also cleaned out the original heavier grease and re-lubed with some synthetic oil (I think Old P suggested this). The clunk is less frequent but is not gone altogether.

I realize that the Bitex hubs are lighter than the DT 350s but I wish I'd chosen them instead. I have three other wheelsets with DT hubs (oddly, 180, 240, and 350) and they are flawless.

[gravelreformist]

I would lean towards Light Bicycle one because I have a set that have worked well, and two, for this application, the Light Bicycle rim is a bit more modern dimensions at 21mm internal/28mm external vs. BTLOS at 19mm/26mm.

[Davist]

I have LB and farsports wheels LB is a bit nicer. Stick with DT350s they're the best, outroll just about anything after 25k+ miles and zero maintenance (well special grease on the ratchet 1x a year)

[meyatt]

Originally Posted by gravelreformist

I would lean towards Light Bicycle one because I have a set that have worked well, and two, for this application, the Light Bicycle rim is a bit more modern dimensions at 21mm internal/28mm external vs. BTLOS at 19mm/26mm.

BTLOS has a pretty wide range of options. I mean you can go 25mm internal / 31mm external if you want.

I have a set of WRC-45 from BTLOS going on year 3 now, they've been extremely good. Probably close to 20,000km on them? They are 19mm internal / 26mm external. I'd certainly buy from them again if only to better support a wider road tire (30mm or 32mm, currently on 28mm).

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by edgerat

BTLOS built by OldPotatoe here is the way to go

I think Peter highly recommends the pre-built as well if I remember right.. he seems to a big fan of the Bitex hubs..

[gravelreformist]

Originally Posted by meyatt

BTLOS has a pretty wide range of options. I mean you can go 25mm internal / 31mm external if you want.

I have a set of WRC-45 from BTLOS going on year 3 now, they've been extremely good. Probably close to 20,000km on them? They are 19mm internal / 26mm external. I'd certainly buy from them again if only to better support a wider road tire (30mm or 32mm, currently on 28mm).

Yeah I am probably biased because my bike runs 28mm tires which is a better match for 21/28mm rims. Although it seems like 21mm is the internal width most manufacturers are basing their stated tire widths on at the moment. If I were able to run 30's 25/31mm would make sense, and I think both manufacturer's offer models in that ballpark.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by edgerat

BTLOS built by OldPotatoe here is the way to go

Built many wheel sets with BTLOS and a few Light Bicycle rims. I think you often buy the 'company' as much as the product and I have only great things to say about BTLOS. Customer service is excellent and their product is first tier.

A shout out to Bitex hubs as well. Yes, I know other, more expensive hubs are nice

BUT, I just built a set of WI T11 hubs and geez..I wish WI would either make their non drive side flange a little taller of their drive side a little shorter .
A real PITA to get NDS spokes past the DS flange when building..AND wraps of tape on the NDS hub side to keep from scratching the hub shell, when lacing..

First world problem but I am VERY happy with BTLOS....and Bitex from BHStore.