Velocity Blunt Rim Update
June 3rd, 2007 by Guitar TedI have had several requests for an update concerning the Velocity Blunt rimmed wheel set I have been riding. I have this short post to offer you.
Short only because there really isn’t much to say other than “these rims work”. I like to hold a part or component group to the “Invisibility Test” The part or component group passes if I never have to think about it while riding, futz and fettle with it after riding, or have to spend excessive amounts of time maintaining it, fixing it, or heaven forbid, replace it.
I can honestly say that the Velocity Blunt disc only rims passed the test so far with flying colors. They have been trouble free and are running true to this day after several curb bashings, missed bunny hops, and rough trail rides. They have performed in salty wintery slop, mud, and have slogged through water crossings and rooty, rocky trails. All the while doing an admirable job of holding the lines that I picked and giving my tires a wider base to work off of.
I have them built up as “trail wheels”: meaning that they are not XC lightweights, which I don’t think a rim of this profile and weight are really designed for in the first place. Not that you couldn’t race these. At the advertised 480 gram weight, they are reasonably light. With a lighter spoke and hub combination, you could probably build these at a sub 2000 gram wheelset weight easily. However; I think it’s in the all day, epic type set up I have them built for that shows the true strengths of Velocity’s design.
I have had these set up with the WTB Weir Wolf LT tires that are some of the biggest 29″er tires available right now. Interestingly, the Blunts 28mm width spreads the tread out to get a great, wide contact patch with the ground. I think this was best shown when I set the pressure at about 22psi for a slippery, snowy, icy commute to work one day. The Blunt allowed the tread to contact the ice fully and yet it didn’t really feel sketchy or as if the tires were going to roll off during that ride. I got great traction and didn’t go down that day, even though the streets were shiny with glare ice. I chalk that up to how the tires and rim worked together.
During normal trail riding, again: the rims were invisible. Just doing their job and doing it well. I weigh in at about 240lbs, and I’m using these on a rigid 29″er, so “just doing their job” is saying a lot! I will add that the excellent build quality of the wheel set adds greatly to the rims performance. You should experience similar results if a qualified wheel builder is used to set these up for you. Interestingly, this wheel set was built by Velocity themselves. You can have them build yours up too, if you so desire.
The Velocity Blunt rims are disc only, available in black or silver, and come in 32 and 36 hole drillings. They are MSRP at $75.00 and your local bike shop can order them now for you direct from Velocity U.S.A.
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Thanks for the review, I wanted to read this type of info before committing. I’m going to go ahead and order a Blunt wheelset from a local builder.
Ted,
Thanks for the review! That’s great to hear! Moving to Sacramento in two weeks, and I am going to have Myke up at Velo City Cycles near David build up my silver 32’s with DB spokes and an XTR centerlock hubset. Should be bulletproof, even though I am your weight and height. Not to mention at least 3/4-1 lb lighter than the rhynolight, 14 gauge, lx centerlock setup I have now!
Btw, riding IRC Mythos II (min 40 psi), and Small Block Eights (min 30 psi). I always hear of people going below 30 psi on tires, but I haven’t wanted to chance it, even with the Kenda’s saying that they are rated down to 30. Is it really probably fine to go down to 25 if I really need the traction? Or do you only do it on a wire bead. The Mythos and SB8 seem to have really flimsy sidewalls, although no problems with tears, etc. yet.
CB
CB: I wouldn’t try that low a pressure for guys our size unless the trails are really smooth and buff, or you are dealing with lots of sand, snow, or mud. To take a chance on pinch flatting at speed isn’t worth it. I’d not go below 32-25 psi if it were me, but experimentation at a slightly lower pressure isn’t necessarily a bad idea.
If the trails are off camber, rocky, and or rooty, I definitely am thinking of going about 35-40 psi for myself.
Ted,
Thanks for the advice!
CB
I would echo the invisible remark. Other than a bit heavy(?) at 2200 grams, these wheels really roll. The Velocity hubs are as smooth as glass. I had the guys at Velocity in Grand Rapids build the wheels and have no complaints after crashing over various logs and smooth rocks. I’m 210# and 6′2″/ Don’t know how the world views the drug reference on the decal(Blunts-Hand Rolled) but the wheels roll very well and so far have not a wobble.
Yeah,
Myke Byrne at http://www.velocitybicycles.com in Winters, CA, built up my Blunt’s on some XTR hubs, and bouble butted spokes. Things knocked a whole pound off my wheels before, and, like many people say, the build is key. He built these up tight. He said he used to be a mechanic for United Pro and others. And damn is he good. At any rate, peeled off all the stickers, and these things roll incredibly.
CB