AverageJoeBiker: April 2009

I have received a few questions about my opinion concerning the Vuelta wheels that come on the Fantom Team. So I decide to compare the Vuelta Team SL Disc wheelset to one of the nicest most expensive mountain bike wheelsets on the market, Shimano XTR. Before I go into my own information lets look at the manufacturers features and specs for the two wheelset.

Shimano M975 XTR

1525g super light disc brake wheel set
Balanced spoke pattern for increased lateral stiffness
Scandium alloy rim
Ultra thin wall rim with reinforced spoke holes
Tubeless & tube tire compatible
Angular contact bearings
New quicker engagement freehub body
Center Lock rotor mount system

Retail: $1200

Go to http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/wheels/mountain_wheels/product.-code-WH-M975.-type-.html if you want more info.

Vuelta Team SL Disc

Rim: GX395 19mm

Hub: Team SL DiscBearing: 2x4 precision

Drilling: 28f/28r

Pattern: three crossSpoke

Gauge: 2.3-2.0-1.6-2.0

Spoke Profile: Aero-bladed

Nipple: Alloy w/eyelets

Quick Release: cro-moly

Spacing: 135mm

Color: black

Weight: 726g / 830g

Retail: $800

Go to http://vueltaxrpwheels.com/team_sl_disc.asp for more info.

I will test both of these wheels on the Fantom and comment on how the Vuelta wheels compare to the XTR. I can say at this point with 82 miles now on the bike, the Vuelta wheels are GOOD wheels.

1 Pound/16 Ounces= 454 grams

1/2 Pound/8 Ounces= 227 Grams

Here is the XTR wheelset along with the weights of the parts going on.

I bought the wheels set at the end of last year on eBay when Microsoft was running their cash back program and got the wheels for $570. Great deal for a $1200 wheelset!

XTR 12-34 Cassette $235. eBay $140

XTR Rotor. Retail $140 for the pair. Bought new on eBay new for $75.00 including shipping. Yea, I know, a great deal.

I chose these Michelin XCR AT UST tires/tyes because they are tubeless, great tires, and are normally $60 per tire or $21 on eBay. I wanted to get some sweet Continental race tires but they are more expensive but much lighter than 757 grams.

Here is the final wheel weight including Stans in each wheel. 8 pounds 9 ounces

Here is the Vuelta Team SL Disc wheelset with all the parts.

I am using an XT cassette because the XTR are really expensive

Final wheelset built up. 9 ounces lighter. Keep in mind though that this has the XT cassette on it which is heavier than the XTR but the tire and tube combo is lighter than the Michelin UST tire that I chose to put on the XTR wheelset.