{"id":9016,"date":"2020-02-25T10:03:05","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T08:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sparkbikereview.com\/?p=9016"},"modified":"2020-02-25T11:55:58","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T09:55:58","slug":"concept-speed-mtb-xc-wheelset-review-local-is-lethal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sparkbikereview.com\/concept-speed-mtb-xc-wheelset-review-local-is-lethal\/","title":{"rendered":"Concept Speed MTB XC Wheelset Review \u2013 Local is Lethal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve just bought your dream bike. It\u2019s got all the bells and whistles, from your favourite handlebar grips to your most comfortable saddle. So, what\u2019s next? Surely there must be something else; something you can upgrade? Something to make your MTB life that much faster? (and stiffer) Considered by many experts to be one of the best additions or \u2018pimps\u2019 you can make to your mountain bike, is a set of carbon fibre wheels. While there are tonnes of brands to choose from; we went local and hopped on a set of Concept Speed\u2019s mountain bike specific carbon wheels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Distributed and marketed by Bicycle Power Trading, they offer a range of carbon only complete, road or mountain bike wheelsets. With rim-only options available too. Most of the time though it makes sense just to get the complete package, and not have to worry about outsourcing the hubs and spokes \u2013 unless you\u2019re going for a full on custom-build. Bicycle Power Trading\u2019s website features the option to select your correct hub and axle size, creating a very easy process for placing your order and getting your wheels delivered to your doorstep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon\nGoodness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carbon is a hot a topic \u2013 some composites cost more than others, while others not so much. To construct wheels for the climate of mountain biking, Concept Speed opted for a composite that\u2019s orientated around stiffness and durability. This durability is backed by a 2-year warranty with a 3-year crash replacement policy from Bicycle Power Trading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s in\nthe details:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The design of the rim follows an asymmetric shape, with added stiffness in the areas where the spokes meet the rim. This ensures that there is no room for error during performance, and more accurately, no room for unnecessary flexing. In a nutshell, the asymmetric rim design compensates for the immense force on the wheel itself and allows the rider to fully utilize the narrow rim width for manoeuvrability and speed. While the rigidity of the rim keeps reliability high for when you need to hit the hard stuff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concept Speed have also thought of the practicalities and, in some cases difficulties that a rider might face with wheelsets in general. These difficulties often lie with tyres and getting them on and off the rim. When I added my own tyres \u2013 a set of Bontrager XR3\u2019s \u2013 to the wheel setup, I was quite surprised that slipping the rubber on and off the rims were easy. Unlike other wheelsets I\u2019ve tried. Ultimately this is a result of the rim wall having being hook free and allowing the tyres to set easily on the rim, and not end up skew. Inflation was also easy, and it didn\u2019t take long to get the wheels ready to roll.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n