Bontrager are overhauling their wheel line, but these versatile old favourites still have understandably loyal fans.
They're relatively heavy (1,918g) but the sturdy rims are supplied with a snap-in tubeless strip that’s a bonus for the cost. They’ll take a thrashing before they buckle, but the alloy nipples do make any tuning work nerve-wracking.
Bontrager-branded DT Swiss hubs are slightly slow to engage but they run and run through the worst conditions. Along with conventional spokes, they mean you’ll be able to get spares in most places if you’re a high mileage or just an unlucky rider.
The broad lever Bontrager quick-releases are easy to use and double up as emergency tyre levers if the tighter tubeless rims put up a fight. The Race Lite TRs are one of the few stock wheels available in 29er or Maverick fork 24mm through-axle versions.
These are straight-forward, proven wheels. Correct installation of the asymmetric tubeless rim strip and tight valve seating is vital for consistent results though.
