SRAM

S30AL Race Wheelset

Aerodynamics and lightness aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. Just take a quick look at the SRAM S30 AL Race Wheelset. It uses a 30mm deep hybrid toroidal rim shape to achieve an efficiency in the wind that rivals deeper rims, yet dips into lightweight territory. Using any conceivable criteria it's a race-worthy wheelset, but maybe the most notable aspect is the inherent durability of its 6061 alloy rim construction.

The black diamond polished and dark grey anodized rims have a machined braking surface so you'll have smooth, chatter-free performance. The lightweight alloy nipples are internal, keeping the airflow smooth around the rim, complementing the wind-cheating profile of the bladed Sapim CX-Ray stainless steel straight-pull spokes. The upgrade to the premium CX-Ray spokes accounts for the weight savings over the S30 AL Sprint. The front wheel is 18-spoke radial, and the rear uses 20 with radial spokes on the drive side and 1-cross on the left.

The alloy hubs are diamond polished and have a Ti-carbide coating. SRAM uses sealed cartridge bearings for high performance and low maintenance. They also have a preload adjustment so they'll roll smoothly without any extra play or binding. One small detail that we really like are the knurled axle ends. This will avoid any chance of the mysterious creaking that sometimes plagues wheels that lack this texture.

The SRAM S30 AL Race Wheelset is compatible with SRAM and Shimano 9 & 10-speed cassettes.