BTLOS wheelset reviews, rider opinions

[madsciencenow]

Originally Posted by jm714

I have a set of Light Bicycle rims on DT Swiss 240’s and a pair of Btlos on Aivee hubs. Both 24/28 with CX Rays.

The Btlos are 36’s and the LB are 40 somethings. The only real difference I can tell is in the braking. The Btlos seem to brake better and quieter with the same pads, which are a pair of Enve pads. It’s all I had available when I needed new pads. They were both being used with the same brakes.

Thx! I’d be going w disc so I’m surmising I’d not notice a difference.


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[2000m2]

Originally Posted by jm714

I have a set of Light Bicycle rims on DT Swiss 240’s and a pair of Btlos on Aivee hubs. Both 24/28 with CX Rays.

The Btlos are 36’s and the LB are 40 somethings. The only real difference I can tell is in the braking. The Btlos seem to brake better and quieter with the same pads, which are a pair of Enve pads. It’s all I had available when I needed new pads. They were both being used with the same brakes.

Do you know which braking surface your BTLOS have?

[jm714]

Originally Posted by 2000m2

Do you know which braking surface your BTLOS have?

Graphene braking surface (arc)

That’s how my invoice reads.

[2000m2]

Originally Posted by jm714

Graphene braking surface (arc)

That’s how my invoice reads.

Thanks, that is helpful.

[mcteague]

Originally Posted by jm714

Graphene braking surface (arc)

That’s how my invoice reads.

Before I bought my Bora WTOs I asked BTLOS which braking surface worked the best and they said "Graphene arc".

Tim

[2000m2]

Originally Posted by mcteague

Before I bought my Bora WTOs I asked BTLOS which braking surface worked the best and they said "Graphene arc".

Tim

This makes one wonder why they bother offering the inferior braking surfaces? Cheaper to produce?

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by 2000m2

This makes one wonder why they bother offering the inferior braking surfaces? Cheaper to produce?

Doubt they are that much 'inferior'. I think it fits in with their very liberal and varied option list..

[dalcant757]

I just put together a bike using btlos 50mm road wheels. I paid for the upgraded construction. They are awesome. I weigh 215ish. They haven’t blown up so far.

[cmg]

so the forum's opinion, 55mm or 60mm depth? pros and cons? does the 60mm hold speed longer?

[berserk87]

Originally Posted by cmg

so the forum's opinion, 55mm or 60mm depth? pros and cons? does the 60mm hold speed longer?

If anyone can discern a difference in the 5mm rim depth, I would be amazed.

I made my rim depth decision on valve stem lengths that would make sense, without using an extender.

[Ozz]

Originally Posted by berserk87

...

I made my rim depth decision on valve stem lengths that would make sense, without using an extender.

+1 Michelin tubes with 60mm stems are easy to find and fit well with my 45mm rims....tubeless would be a different decision process I imagine.

Also, 45mm seemed like a good compromise of aero and crosswind stability.

[rePhil]

I recently bought a pair of BTLOS 40's. A good experience all around. I ended up going UST and trying tubeless for the first time.If that failed my 60 mm tubes were at the ready, no valve extenders needed. Keeping things different I also went with Bitex hubs and while these were ordered with a Shimano freehub, I picked up a Campy freehub as well so I can use them with Campy 10 bike. I also tried Pirelli's and to my surprise had no trouble at all mounting, or inflating. I had the compressor at the ready, but they pumped right up with my Silca.
Ironically the only issue I had was that the included stems were too short.

Originally Posted by Ozz

+1 Michelin tubes with 60mm stems are easy to find and fit well with my 45mm rims....tubeless would be a different decision process I imagine.

Also, 45mm seemed like a good compromise of aero and crosswind stability.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by cmg

so the forum's opinion, 55mm or 60mm depth? pros and cons? does the 60mm hold speed longer?

5mm is 1/5 of an inch. The 55mm rim weighs 15 grams less than the 60mm rim.
No such thing as a free lunch and there really isn't any significant 'flywheel' effect with bike wheels. I think it's great that BTLOS offeres 5mm increments in their rims..30 to 60, then 80mm..BUT unless you are going from one extreme to the other..30 to 60 or 80mm, I doubt you could tell a difference and then 'maybe' only in weight and how much winds may blow you around. Even with weight..30mm to 60mm..less than 100g..4 ounces..lost in noise. Deeper rim is probably stiffer. Many think what they are feeling with carbon is less 'rotational' weight but it's really just stiffness.

[cmg]

so bought the 60mm to give it a try. went low budget on the build, Chinese hubs, non-Sapim spokes. the build is fantastic, wheels are straight, true and no hop. after the 20 mile test ride i'm impressed. they replace a set of reynolds assaults. they seemed lighter. spin up after they're moving is pretty quick, they hold speed really well. the only place i notice them is at start up from dead stop. i'll write it up after the newness wares off. bought them in early August and got them yesterday. The UPS tracker is worthless and the one from the seller t.17track.net worked better.

[NickJ]

Originally Posted by NickJ

I have a set of WGX50s that I picked up second hand. I had to swap the freehub from XDR to Shimano but that was very easy once I found the right Novatec parts (bought from Bikeinn.com)

I only have 12 miles on them after work last night and my initial impressions are solid. I'm coming off the Giant SLR1 42mm carbon wheels that my TCR came with.

• There is no noticeable difference in weight. I think both wheelsets are in the 1450g range.
• The exact same GP5k 25mm tires measure out at almost 29mm on the BTLOS.
• The ride quality is substantially improved, even at the same pressure with the same latex tubes (~95psi).
• I "think" they are less susceptible to wind gusts. I will continue to update on this over the coming weeks as I get more miles on them.
• The tires are a lot louder now. I think the extra width hits a sweet spot on the GP5k that ticks them up a few dbs.
• More aero and easier to hold 20mph+? Jury is still out. Will continue to update.

Update a thousand miles later. Still same feedback. I like them. Not OMG these are so much better than anything in the world!!! But I still like them and they are still round.