I wonder if I could feel/see any difference between the RSL and Pro if I could test both w/o knowing which wheel I was on? Same with the 37V v the 3V. Have you been able to try both by chance?
No, but the 37V set is half a pound lighter than 3V, and the 3V have Bontrager Rapid Drive hubs vs DT Swiss internals. So I’m guessing I could feel/hear some minor differences. I’ve PRd some Strava segments on the 3V with ridiculously wide 32c tires (GP 5000), like I said these are pretty high up the awesome scale. Ignoring availability and money, would welcome the 37V to drop some weight and reduce freewheeling noise. But I like the $$ saved buying the 3V.
Nope. Speedwise they will be identical, as far as aerodynamics.
Awesome ![]()
These are the exact wheels I also bought a few weeks back. Still waiting on the hub adaptor end caps to allow me to use them on my QR bike.
Interested to know your initial thoughts plus what tyres you’ve gone for.
I’ve got a set of GP5000 TLR ‘S’ in 28mm waiting to go on.
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@dsirrom first ride today. Overall they are impressive and I really have nothing bad to say. I did a relatively short ride (50 miles) dry, blustery day on rolling terrain. Longest climb/descent about 20 minutes for me at tempo. Steepest sections probably around 15%. Running 25c GP 5000 TL up front and a 25c 5000 S TR on the rear. My previous wheels were the 17mm internal 62mm DT Swiss Dicut 1100’s. Same tires inflated to 85psi/5.7bar front and maybe 90psi/6.2bar rear. I’m 165lbs/75Kgs.
I can not quantify anything so JMO…Descending in crosswinds at 40+mph I felt no twitchiness. My DT Swiss set would have been a bit more twitchy for sure. So honestly that’s a huge win right there. As suspected, cornering they felt more planted. Hard to explain. Like they held whatever line you wanted a touch easier and should translate into faster cornering. Another win. As far as speed/aero/Crr performance compared to the DT Swiss I have no idea. I don’t think the wheels were holding me back in any way but, can not confirm they are faster or slower. As a overanalyzer of speed/performance I don’t see much reason to keep the DT Swiss set other than a backup if I crash etc…but with the crash support I may sell the DT’s and buy another set for my gravel bike.
edit: Lastly, both tire went on by hand.
Always need a backup set of wheels in case of downtime during RMA.
@lightyear just saw your post. This article will do a better job than I explaining ratchet type hubs v. pawl type hubs:
Thanks - that’s a really helpful and interesting summary, much appreciated ![]()
My current wheels are basic alloy items (Hunt up front and Shimano on the rear) and a lot heavier / narrower than the Bontragers with fairly basic hubs as well as minimal aero depth so I’m expecting to see a noticeable difference. ![]()
True, but if I sell the DT’s and buy another set of Pro 51 for the gravel they could be the backup. That’s was my thinking anyways.
I’m sure they will be a big step in the right direction. Just better in every way. Be careful to keep expectations from going stratospheric though. For example, I was expecting to easily see speed gains when I bought my first aero frame (Felt AR) v my Felt F1. In reality, the gains were sort of on a scale of .25mph faster at about 25mph same power. It was a more slippery bike. It was not what I was expecting and very hard to notice JRA. This was all on the heals of when Cervelo dropped the S5 and everyone lost their minds trying to quantify 30W of aero drag in terms of speed.
Obviously, we all want more speed for the same power but, wheels have so many other important qualities people overlook. Anyway, these get my official stamp of approval. Be interested to read about your experience when the time comes…
I also have the Aeolus Pro 51. Due to the Winter I was able to ride them outside only once unfortunately. Did you notice that the freehub is very stiff? I got a fair amount of ghost pedaling but maybei it’s just the break-in period?
Also, are these hubs super quiet?
I’ve been riding either the 240 or the 350 for some years now: A couple set of ENVEs, the DT Swiss Dicuts and now the Bonts. They seem normal to me as far as noise goes but, depending on how much grease you use to lubricate the springs/ratchets the noise varies. But, yeah, I think these are quieter than most hubs. My I9’s (pawls) on the gravel bike are much louder.
As far as ghost pedaling, a little on my ENVE with 240’s. Nothing broken, chain is sized perfectly, no foreign objects so, I suspect too much grease. Or new grease in your case. The pro 51’s don’t seem to ghost for me at all.