Review: NEWMEN Carbon and Alumnium Wheels
Read on for a review of NEWMEN’s Advanced and Evolution wheelsets from our bc Team riders.
Founded in 2016, NEWMEN hit the market running. They presented their 2017 wheel models, the Advanced SL X.22 and Evolution SL X.A.25, at the 2016 Eurobike. The Advanced SL is a super lightweight carbon wheelset and the Evolution SL is its durable aluminium sibling. We decided to put these wheels to the test on some of Europe’s most demanding XC courses. Below you will find our full report.
Specifications
| Evolution SL | Advanced SL | |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Trail, Cross Country, Marathon | Cross Country |
| Weight | 1464 g | 1195 g |
| Material Rim, Hubs, Freehubs | aluminium, aluminium, aluminium | carbon fibre, aluminium, aluminium |
| Tubeless System | Tubeless Ready | Tubeless Ready |
| Weight Limit | 120 kg system weight (gear + rider + bicycle) | 100 kg system weight (gear + rider + bicycle) |
| Wheel Sizes | 27.5" and 29" | 29" |
Robert racing on the NEWMEN Advanced wheelset.
Lateral and cornering stiffness
Due to the high spoke tension on both the carbon and aluminium sets, each wheel is extremely stiff. When taking on berms or lifting the rear wheel, the stiffness is especially noticeable. Steering through tricky areas, the front wheel reacts to every movement of the handlebars. Comparing the Evolution aluminium wheels to the Advanced carbon ones, the Advanced set is even more direct in its handling. This is the result of the additional stiffness of the carbon rim.
Rotational stiffness
The high spoke tension also keeps the wheel stiff while braking and pedalling. This is also due to the straight pull hubs which increase rotational stiffness overall.
NEWMEN aluminium straight pull hub.
The differences between the Advanced and Evolution rims
The first difference between the NEWMEN Advanced and Evolution wheelsets are their weight. The aluminium Evolution wheel weigh roughly 270 g more. The rims also have different inner widths. The Advanced rim’s inner width is 22 mm and the Evolution 25 mm (also available in 30 mm and 35 mm). The design of both of the rims is also different. I (Theresia) really like the carbon checkerboard pattern of the Advanced rim. Others have also complemented the pattern as well. The NEWMEN Evolution rims have a rather classic blacked out aluminium look to them.
The NEWMEN Advanced SL X.22 carbon pattern.
When it comes to performance, the stiffness is of course the biggest difference. The carbon rim of the Advanced wheelset flexes much less than its aluminium counterpart. But carbon does come with a weight limit that needs to be respected. The Advanced can handle a system weight of 100 kg and the Evolution 120 kg.
The NEWMEN Evolution SL X.A.25 wheel also looks sleek.
Impact resistance
When racing, things can get hectic pretty fast. Unlike training, we am not paying attention to every small detail and hitting an obstacle can quickly lead to bottoming out. In this sense, it is important that the rims withstand impacts without denting or breaking. Both the NEWMEN Advanced and Evolution rims withstood everything that hit them with no damage whatsoever.
Splash splash. No dents or damage here.
Tyre retention
Although both rims don’t have a flange, tyres stayed on them no problem. We only had good experiences, even though the tyre can be a little more difficult to mount than with other rims.
Tyres mounted well and stayed put.
Tubeless compatibility
With the right tubeless rim tape both the Evolution and Advanced wheels had no problem converting to tubeless.
Theresia jumping around on the Advanced wheelset.
Smooth bearings
The bearings of the NEWMEN straight pull hubs are very smooth. From our experience, we have never felt bearings this smooth before. NEWMEN puts a lot of work into their hubs and it definitely shows.
NEWMEN’s smooth bearing straight pull hubs.
Adjusting bearing play
Adjusting bearing play is super easy, making the hubs great for those who like to further customise. Of course, they can’t be adjusted to tight, because then they wouldn’t turn as smoothly as they should.
Wheelie time!
Summary
If you are looking for lightweight, durable, stiff and good looking wheels, then the NEWMEN Advanced is the perfect set. They are exactly what we imagine to be the perfect carbon race wheelset. For all-round trail riding, the NEWMEN Evolution wheels were perfect while still being lightweight enough for Cross Country or Marathon use. The ability to choose between three inner rim widths on the Evolution make it easy to fit it to your preferred riding style. However, make sure to note the weight limits and be ready for a few looks from others. These wheels just look plain beautiful.
