Description
If you’re looking for wider rims without the weight penalty but with all the handling advantages carbon rims offer, these could be for you. They are 42mm wide externally with a 35mm internal width.
Weighing as little as 1690g, they are a similiar weight to much narrower XC alloy rimmed wheels. These can be comfortably with tyres between 2.3 and 2.8 widths. They are asymmetric rims to give more even spoke tensions on each side of the wheel for an even stiffer stronger wheel.
Approx. wheelset weights:
With Bitex hubs: 27.5 Sapim CX Ray: 1695g; 27.5 Sapim Race: 1785g; 29er Sapim CX Ray: 1785g 29er Sapim Race: 1875g
With Hope hubs: add 100g to Bitex wheelset weight
Rims are constructed from unidirectional Toray T700 carbon and have a hookless bead inner profile. They are asymmetric to give closer to equal spoke tensions on each side of the wheel for an even stiffer, stronger wheel.
We build our wheels on Hope and Bitex hubs, which we believe stand out from the crowd and each with their particular strengths unmatched by any other brands – reliability, longevity and serviceability being a high priority with all designs. Our wheels are built to last and our choice of hubs reflects this along with our insistance on only using brass nipples.
Standard wheels are built with Sapim Race 2.0-1.8-2.0 double butted spokes which are wider gauge than most competitors build with but are up to the job for the type of riding these wheels are built for and do not snap. If you would like the same strength at a lighter weight, choose Sapim CX Ray spokes for an approx. 90g per wheelset weight saving – the most expensive and fatigue resistant spokes on the market.
We build these wheels with 32 spokes on the rear and 28 spokes on the front.
Prices include free UK delivery.
Stuart Macdonald –
i bought a set of these wheels from Stuart and i couldn’t be happier with them. The wheels in the pics are the ones i ordered and they look even better in real life than they do in the pictures and the performance matches the looks. I had a pair of 30mm 29er wheels on the bike prior to swapping to these and haven’t gone back the 29ers yet. I am running them with 2.8 maxxis rekons which are setup tubeless (tubeless setup was easy with these wheels) and are working well for me. I was very happy with the service i received from the first enquiry right through to delivery and would definitely recommend the wheels and blueflow to anyone looking for a great set of carbon wheels and fantastic service.
Alex Leigh (verified owner) –
After lots of research, I came across Stuart’s website and spoke to the man himself. Really knowledgable and passionate and happy to answer all my questions. The wheels were superbly built and made my already fab Ibis Mojo3 even better. They are the perfect width for running 2.8 chubby tyres and are definitely stiffer but somehow more compliant than the (again excellent) alloy Ibis 742s I replaced them with. Since then ridden a trouble free 1000km on all sorts of terrains and in a couple of bike parks. Not had to even touch them with a spoke key. Recommended
Now I want another set for my FS 29!
Sam Wells (verified owner) –
I looked at lots of options before I came across Blue Flow. The 35mm internals were exactly what I was after for wide trail tyres and the asymmetric build on boost Hope hubs creates a really strong and laterally stiff wheel. I was slightly concerned that being so stiff would make them feel harsh but this is totally not the case, so long as you get tyre pressure and suspension setup right they feel amazing. Stuart’s wheelbuilding and service is first class. I’ve been hammering the wheels for several months including regular Bike Park Wales trips and they’ve taken everything I can throw at them with just the odd scratch. Value for money is amazing and highly recommended.
Andrew Whittle –
I purchased my 42mm asymmetric 29er wheels from blue flow around 6 months ago and I can honestly say I cannot fault them. I found Stuart really honest and great to deal with. If you need to ask a question he’s on it straight away with a reply by phone or email.
The wheels are solid and set up great for tubeless. Just pop your tyre on with valve and sealant and your away.
Bang on wheels ! Bang on Service !
Rob Osbourn (verified owner) –
Beautiful hand built wheels, great customer service and a price so low there must be witchcraft involved!!
I bought a set of 42mm asymmetric 29″ wheels with Sapim spokes about 4-5 months ago to fit to my Evil Following MB. They were built and delivered within 5 days with great comms all the way from Stuart. I’ve been running them with Nobby Nic 2.6″ tyres and more recently switched to Maxxis High Roller 2, 2.5″ Wide Trail tyres for the winter. The 42mm rims give these bigger tyres a lovely profile and allow you to run really low pressures (16/17psi up front and 18/19 psi at the back) with zero burping or tyre slip
Tyres are easy to get on an off (unlike other wide rim wheels i’ve had) and seat up to tubeless first time.
Performance-wise i can’t fault them: stiff but much less tiring than the my previous wheelset, they track beautifully, give the acceleration a real snap and despite having been given quite a hammering they look and run as well today, as they did the day they arrived. Oh and the stealth grey decals look sweet.
Price-wise i don’t know how they do it, because my previous factory set of carbon wheels were over 2 1/2 times the price and were made with inferior components and were a pig to get the tyres on and off of.
Cant recommend these wheels and Blue Flow highly enough and i wont be getting wheels anywhere else. Thanks Stuart 🙂 🙂
Nick H –
I ordered a 27.5 35mm ID front wheel a few months back. I started with 3.0 tyres but recently swapped to a 2.8 Magic Mary, which seems to be perfect for my local single track. I haven’t noticed the wheels – which is a good thing – and would (and probably will!) buy again.
Stuart was also really proactive and helpful in ensuring I got what I wanted
Tammo –
After a long time of searching and reading, i ordered a 27,5“ 42mm wheelset for my Specialized Kenevo ebike!
Since the day i got them, i am enjoying them everytime i ride my Kenevo… they take a lot of beating – no worries so far!
Thx a lot for the perfect support, Stuart… you have a new fan in Germany!
Jeff Bushrod (verified owner) –
At the beginning of the year (2019) I bought my second set of wheels from Stuart.The first set were 27.5 , they are about 4 years old & have run perfectly without needing any retentioning in all that time.So when I needed some 29 er wheels for my latest project ( a rigid bike with 3″ tires ) it was a no brainer.
I asked for 35 mm internal rim with c-xray spokes & have been delighted with them.Quick acceleration,very comfortable,completely reliable & often admired. The tires (WTB & Vittoria ) mounted up easily in tubeless format using only a track pump.
Another advantage of buying from Stuart is being able to speak direct to “The Man”,this allowed me to get the advise I needed when choosing rims.
Brennan World (verified owner) –
Purchased just before last summer and have been very impressed with the price, looks, performance and communication with Stuart. After a hard years riding they still look good and have only need a slight retensioning. Highly recommended.
David Fairweather (verified owner) –
I brought a set of these wheels for my Whyte E150 RS eMTB. I wasn’t sure about how carbon wheels would fair with the weight of the eBike but after speaking to Stuart I was happy to place an order.
Stuart kept me updated throughout. Wheels were super easy to set up, I just swapped my Maxxis 2.5 Wide Trail tyres over, pumped them up with a floor pump and they seated and seated first time. Saved around 700g’s total, I swapped to much heavier rotors for the new wheelset.
Riding on carbon wheels, Wow, I don’t really know how best to describe it. And I am not sure why I have not had carbon wheels on my other bikes for the past however many years I’ve been riding. What a difference.
It’s so much smoother. And really quiet. I cant believe how much quieter the ride is compared to alloy wheels. It just glides over the trail, the roots etc.
Tyres and pressures are the same, so the huge improvement has to be the wheels. It’s a different bike now, in a really good way. Incredible.
I would highly recommend Blue Flow Wheels, I will certainly use them on future eBikes.