OlieSimpson wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 11:17 am
First time poster and am currently awaiting my order from Farsports.
I'm based in the Netherlands so do zero climbing and more often than not ride in 20mph+ cross winds due to the flat, open countryside. I'm currently running 28c Hutchinson Fusion5 Performance tyres (VERY highlighly recommend these) in a tubeless configuration on my stock wheels (around 2000g for the wheelset exc. tyres, rim tape and valves) and wanted a nice, mid-depth aero profile rim for my new wheelset.
After looking through the Farpsorts range I ended up choosing the Gravel rims in the following set-up:
- Hooked 50mm Deep/24mm Internal/30mm external profile
- Bitex 312 Hubs (24h F+R)
- CX-Ray spokes
- Brass Nipples
Total expected weight 1405g.
The Gravel rims themselves are listed as being 420g on Farsports site, which is (somewhat confusingly) lighter than equivalent Fader 50mm hooked option (listed at 425g). They're also internally (5mm) and externally (4mm) wider than the Fader's, so in theory should give me the best aero profile based on my tyre set-up (compared to Kaze and Fader options) with the same rim depth - Rim to tyre ratio with my set-up will be 107%.
I'm hoping for some sort of performance advantage over my stock Alu rims, but at minimum I should save around 600g vs my existing set-up which should make the bike feel much better to ride.
I'll follow-up with a proper review of the wheels once they're delivered and have been tested.
In the meantime, does anyone have experience with the Bitex 312 (or other) hubs with both normal and ceramic bearings? Do they really provide that much of a performance benefit and would you recommend upgrading to ceramic?
Quick update to say I've just received my wheelset.
Timings wise, I placed the order on 10th May, the wheels were then built with shipping confirmed on 14th May.
I chose standard shipping with pre-paid import duties and the wheels arrived today (to Amsterdam, Netherlands), so around 14 days in total. They were delivered via DPD with no additional charges etc.
More than happy with this given its a hand built set of wheels being sent to almost the other side of the world.
Not much to say about the packaging other than it was great. The outer box was in perfect condition upon delivery and the wheels were safely and securely housed inside.
Now to the wheels, starting with the weight they come in at 680g for the front and 770g for the rear (1450g for the pair), which is 40g heavier than estimated however I did opt for the brass nipples which is probably where the extra weight is. Again very happy with this given they are 50mm deep and 30mm wide rims laced to mid weight hubs.
Sapim super light spokes, alu nipples and lighter hubs and you could easily get this down to close to 1300g if you have the budget!
The rims are flawless with no blemishes or deviations that I can see so super happy with that.
Two things on the rims I've not read in reviews before; there is a small hole (maybe 2mm in diameter) drilled in to each side of the rim which I guess is to let out any water that might seep into the rim through the nipples(the gravel rims are not drilled all the way through). I did read in one review someone complain that they could hear water in the rim and the only way to get it out was by taking the valve out. It looks like Farsports have taken on board the feedback and addressed it which is great.
The other is the valve hole slightly extrudes (1mm or less) and is not flush, not sure if anyone else's rims are like this?
Aside from that the bladed spokes are laced nicely and all seem well tensioned (I don't have a tool to actually measure the tension but they seem even with the finger squeeze test).
The hubs spin nice in the hand and I can't feel any play or roughness in the bearings.
Overall all of the boxes have been ticked and I'm very happy with the wheelset and service so far.
Just waiting on some longer tubeless valves before I can get them installed and will follow up with a review once they been tested.