Rider Profile

· A Grade/Masters 45-50 XCO rider/racer

· 73 kg, 183 cm

· Ridden & raced on natural terrain, rocky, technical rough trails with plenty of ups and down

· Ridden 3-4 times a week with around 2500kms on wheels

After purchasing a new race bike, I was finding the stock wheels quite stiff, heavy and narrow for the tyres I am using.  There are so many options to choose from, but I couldn’t quite find the specification at the right price without making compromises. I found some positive reviews on EIE Carbon Wheels, checked out the Instagram page, reviewed the website, and found lot of rim options and the ability to custom build a set.

I got in touch with EIE Customer service team, listed my requirements which were 30mm internal carbon rims, 1200grams wheelset weight or less, built with and DT Swiss or Compatible hubs. Within the same day I had multiple options and chose the build with EIE hubs, Alpina Spokes, 30mm rims at just under 1200grams for the set. Within a few weeks the box arrived in Australia with spare spokes.

Set up

I set the wheels up with 30mm tubeless tape, 40mm valves, Joes Sealant and a brand-new set of tyres. The wheels seated easily with both an air compressor and a floor pump with no drama. I left them over night and didn’t lose any air pressure or in the days later. The tyres were now around 3mm wider than they were on the narrower rims I was using.

· 30-33mm tape, one strip 1/3 diameter of wheel diameter past the start of tape

· 40mm Tubeless valve stems

· Joes Sealant around 100ml

· Fitted with Floor pump and Air Compressor

· Running 19psi front and rear

· Tried 54T DT Swiss ratchet but like the 36T Ratchet

Tyres used

· Specialized Fast Trak  - 29 x 2.35

· Specialized Air Trak  - 29 x 2.35

· Kenda Booster - 29 x 2.4

· Goodyear Peak SL  - 29 x 2.,4

On the trail

The difference in compliance improved the ride feel of the bike and I had much better feel in my tyres. Acceleration improved, I held more speed and the 36T driver was smooth when pushing hard on the pedals. The wheels have a generally light feel and did not squish or twang off sharp edges, rocks and hard landings. On the climbs the weight helped with acceleration and the extra compliance was like adding more travel to the suspension on the downs.

I have used wheels in rough, rocky conditions, natural terrain, hardpack flow trails and done a lot of racing on them so far in dry and wet conditions. I have fitted them to multiple bikes with the different hub drivers on multiple bikes and they have performed flawlessly.

Bikes Used on:

· 2024 Cannondale Scalpel

· 2022 Giant Anthem

· 2023 Giant XTC

Summary

The wheels have done a very demanding 2000km so far with tough training rides and races in at times horrible conditions on tough trails, maybe past the limit of an XC racebike. They hold the same air pressure over multiple days, the bearings spin like new and the ride feel really improved each bike I used them on.

The ability to work with EIE to get a wheelset built to my specification and budget made it possible to get the performance I was hoping for. When you combine the purchasing experience, warranty, spare spokes and the overall performance I highly recommend getting into touch with EIE Carbon Wheels. I have since gone on to order a set of custom wheels for my cyclocross bike and they have been as much of revelation as my Mountain bike set has been.

Get in touch with EIE Carbon Wheels you won’t be disappointed.

Wheel Specs I choose:

Model: A29C30D23

Rim Version: XC:340±15G

Hole Type: Standard

Weave: UD

Finish: Matte

Front Axle: 15*110mm

Rear Axle: 12*148mm

Brake System: Center lock

Holes Count F/R: 28H/28H

Hub Brand: EIE-EM285 Straight pull

Ratchet: 36T

Freehub Body: SRAM XD

Spokes: Alpina Hyper lite   

Nipples: Aluminium Black