RaceFace has updated its budget MTB wheelset range for those riders looking for affordable performance wheels.
The company’s Aeffect R wheelset offers riders a relatively affordable alloy wheelset, with the kind of rim width that is required to run larger volume tires, at lower pressures.
With its 30mm internal rim width, the Aeffect R wheelset seats trail-wide tires in the 2.4- to 2.6in size perfectly, allowing for lower pressures and better traction.
The 6069-series aluminum rim construction also provides a slightly softer rider and reasonably good rock strike survivability.
For the 2021 model year, RaceFace hasn’t altered the rim profile of its Aeffect R, but changed the hub and spoke specification.
Riders who dislike the spoke binding risk of straight-pull hubs will be thrilled that the Aeffect R is now being built with traditional J-Bend spokes.
- Best budget mountain bikes (opens in new tab)
- Best mountain bike hubs (opens in new tab)
- Best mountain bike wheels (opens in new tab)
Spinning the updated RaceFace Aeffect R wheels are new Trace alloy hubs. Although these hubs can’t match the rapid engagement of RaceFace’s premium Vaults, they still offer 10-degrees of pick-up with 36 points of engagement.
The rear hub internals are balanced by 6902 specification cartridge bearings and have a 28-hole spoke count.
RaceFace is offering the new Aeffect R wheels in both 27.5- and 29-inch sizes, with the latter carrying a claimed weight of 925g for a front wheel and 1075g for a rear.
Tensioning these new RaceFace aluminum enduro wheels are 28 Sapim Sprint J-bend spokes, with a 2- to 1.7mm butting profile.
Pricing for the updated RaceFace Aeffect R wheels is set at $599. RaceFace will also sell you the new Trace hubs separately, at $84.99 for a front one and $214.99 for a rear.
- Best mountain bike tires (opens in new tab)
- Best tubeless tyre sealant (opens in new tab)
