Planet X AL 30?
nickel
Posts: 476
In the market for a new wheelset for my Allez and was originally going to go for the Planet X model b wheelset but they no longer have any in black. I've just noticed this new AL30 wheelset on their website and they seem pretty much identical to the model bs in their construction, weight etc.
Does anybody know how these differ from the model bs and/or have experience of this wheelset?
Cheers
Nick
Link to wheelset http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... 0_wheelset
Does anybody know how these differ from the model bs and/or have experience of this wheelset?
Cheers
Nick
Link to wheelset http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... 0_wheelset
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Comments
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I spotted these last night, look interesting. Price wise they are up against the Shimano RS20 / 30 wheels and Mavic Aksiums but I like the fact that replacement spokes should be easier to source. The hubs look like rebranded Novatec cartridge jobs which seem to get decent reviews. It is a bit confusing to describe these as 'commuter' wheels, though I think you'd rather have something a bit more spokey for worry free utility riding personally.0
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Model B's are a 27mm rim so these are slightly deeper. Same rim depth as the IRD Cadence Aero (possibly even the same rim).More problems but still living....0
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Well I thought I'd bite the bullet and order some as they seem the best wheels available to me at the price, would have gone for Model B's but I really like the look of the AL 30s. Will report back once I've got them at xmas.0
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Think ill try them but will need to wait till santa brings some elf money.0
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Has anyone bought any of these yet?0
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Bump0
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Literally just ordered some myself to replace my Alex Rims DA16's on my 2007 Allez. I'll report back when they're on.
I was looking at Aksiums 2011 models (spokes hard to source), RS30's (too heavy at nearly 2100grams for a deep section rim) and the Fulcrum racing 5 and Ultegra 6700's (too expensive at most retailers like Evans). The Planet X's seem to be the best of all. The wheels are only 1622 grms without skewers which compared to RS30's at nearly 2100 grms is a whopper of a saving considering they are both 30mm "aero rims". The Planet X's are also hand-built so you can pretty much be sure they will true upon arrival. For £124 delivered, you can't grumble.
I've gone for the high polish silver to match the silver of my bike. I'm not sure how quickly they'll arrive as it is boxing day. If they don't come soon, ill be too gorged on chocolate and pastries to go out for a ride!
Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 30 -
Oh dear, Ive had them less than a week and Im going to have to replace all 4 rear bearings! Looks like the weather seal is for decoration only and when I took the axle out, the inside of the hub was covered in water. The pawl mechanism thingy was full of road grit and the same brown grease used in the bearings. When I first used them the mechansism didn't feel like there was any grease in at all to start with. The two hub bearings are totally gone and Im going to replace the free hub ones as they don't feel too clever. The rear spokes don't seem too higly tensioned ( but I don't have a clue what they are supposed to be but alot less than the front) and they are out of true by about 4 mm, one spoke really loose.
The front seems fine.
One weeks worth of riding in absolute crap weather. Not up to much at all. Worst wheels I have owned so far. If I wasn't a fettler I'd refund them ASAP but I have the bearings anyway, I think, somewhere.
P.S. They look nice ( in the corner of my 'workshop')0 -
Bump! Get rid of Trellstemmer0
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I've just had mine delivered. Pics and thoughts to follow...Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 30 -
Hmmm - tempted by a pair of these. Wonders what the hubs are going to be like though.0
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Just spent ages changing the bearings on the rear hub ( 3x 6901, 1 x 6001). They do not knock out as easily as previously experienced. You need a sledgehammer, made more difficult as nothing is greased. Possibly due to slight deformations of the bearings caused by the tightness, the rubber bearing seals moves enough to let in the crap and the water, nothing a little grease, externally, can't remedy. Just a guess though. Glad the metal is hard enough to withstand the punishment I dished out.
Another week of riding in atrocious weather and the front is still in very good nick. Will report back after another couple of months on the new bearings.... if they last that long.0 -
So would you advise for us other owners to maybe grease up the seals externally to prevent water ingress? Did you get in touch with Planet X about the failure and if so, what did they say?
Cheers!Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 30 -
Gawd bless you early adopters. I was considering a pair of these but I think I'll save a bit longer and get some hand built wheels in the spring.0
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Just finished my first ride, 20 miles and about 2000' of ascent, with the AL 30'S on my Giant Defy 1 and so far so good. I was very happy with the way they performed while climbing. I am running a shimano 105 group with a 10 sp. Cassette and everything went together fine, the only change I made was to replace the stock tape with cloth tape. I will post more as I get more time on these wheels.0
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Very interested to know how you get on with these.I have the same bike and was wondering how they compared with the mavics which were supplied (assuming you hadn't changed wheels before).I was looking at the model b's but planet x have just informed me they are now discontinued so I guess the AL 30's are their replacement.lhbert wrote:Just finished my first ride, 20 miles and about 2000' of ascent, with the AL 30'S on my Giant Defy 1 and so far so good. I was very happy with the way they performed while climbing. I am running a shimano 105 group with a 10 sp. Cassette and everything went together fine, the only change I made was to replace the stock tape with cloth tape. I will post more as I get more time on these wheels.0 -
I've just finished a 52 mile ride on them and they were great! You can feel how light they are when climbing compared to my heavy 2000gms+ Alex Rims. They also felt nice and responsive through a 40mph downhill! I've now put ~100 miles on mine and they are living up to all expectations. I'll keep an eye on the hubs though and report any issues!Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 30 -
eyebee wrote:I was looking at the model b's but planet x have just informed me they are now discontinued so I guess the AL 30's are their replacement.
I have received a discontinued notification from Planet X to my stock alert request but they emailed me last week to say they are getting more in stock. I have asked them to clarify.
Will post the outcome here unless someone else does first.0 -
That is the same info they emailed me - i was told the AL30 is the replacement and uses the same rim. Not sure if that is right though.0
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Just had an email from Planet X, they have confirmed that the Model Bs are now discontinued and have been replaced by the AL30s.0
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Have two rides in and about 50 miles, so far so good. The AL30's have performed flawlessly. Here are some Pic's. Will keep updating. http://flickr.com/photos/74034518@N04/6677142525/ Also, these were the replacement wheels for stock wheels that came on my Defy 1 and I have been very happy with the change.
Sorry about the link, had to remove the "m" for mobile, pasted link from my cell phone. Should be fine now0 -
Can you repost the link, doesnt seem to work? Ta.0
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Here's mine. I've done over 100 miles now and still great.
Where are your graphics? Did you take them off?Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 30 -
I did remove the graphics, only because there wasn't red anywhere else on my bike, I know it's kind of goofy. I used a citrus cleaner to remove the adhesive and alcohol to clean the brake surface. It took about an hour and a half. I have since been told that alcohol would have worked better???0
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Price just bumped up to £150. Still a good buy?0
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Have over 100 miles on the wheelset and still rock solid. Hit about 42 MPH on a 4000 foot descent this morning without any drama. :-)0
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Tregolwyn wrote:Price just bumped up to £150. Still a good buy?
I'd wait a few weeks and they'll be discounted. Don't think I've ever bought anything from Planet X at full price.More problems but still living....0 -
After this mornings commute, I'll have over 200 miles on mine. I've hit a few pot holes during my commute and also bunny hopped a few without drama!
I've also climbed 3000 ft in a ride and they don't feel particularly flexy compared to my old heavy 32 spoked wheels.They descended nicely too!
My only complaint was that they certainly leave you prone to cross-winds. When it was really windy last week I was being pushed all over the place when I was angled sideways to the wind. I never felt winds that bad on my old rims in a cross-wind. They are 30mm profile though so the added strength and aero benefits out-weight that factor imo.
Let's hope I have many more trouble free miles.Ribble Stealth/SRAM Force
2007 Specialized Allez (Double) FCN - 30 -
lhbert wrote:Have over 100 miles on the wheelset and still rock solid. Hit about 42 MPH on a 4000 foot descent this morning without any drama. :-)
A 4000 ft descent? Come off Ben Nevis did you? :roll:0
