Pros
- Impressive breaking- both wet and dry conditions
- Very robust
- Tubeless
Cons
- Only compatible with specific groupsets
- Less conventional specs- harder for locating replacements
Price as reviewed:
£549.98
Easton says that its EA70 SL wheelset is “built to withstand years of abuse”. Although I did not have years to test the wheels, numerous rides, including some salt-riddled winter excursions did give me a good idea as to the quality and all-round benefits of the EA70 SLs.
When testing the Easton EA70 SLs I opted for 25mm Schwalbe One Tubeless-ready tyres and Stan’s No Tubes sealant. Mounting was achieved with tyre levers and I was able to seat the bead using an Airshot. I was unable to get the tyres to seat with a standard track pump.
>>> Buyer’s guide to road bike wheels (video)
Braking was good, with the Easton alloy rims giving reassuringly consistent braking in both dry and wet conditions. The hubs used in both wheels are Easton’s own V5s, which rolled well and felt fairly quick considering the shallow rim depth.
Increasingly we are seeing wider rims on road bike wheels, that allow the tyre to sit wider. At 17.5mm internal widthe the rim on the Easton EA70 SL is comparatively narrow to many of it’s current piers. This didn’t prove to be a problem though; tyre pressures of around 70psi gave excellent grip and improved all-day comfort (Owing to the tubeless set up, you can run lower pressure).
Video – Can a tubeless tyre survive a nail?
I may only be 70kg, but by deliberately ploughing into potholes at 25mph, it was apparent these wheels are tough, as no truing or spoke tensioning was required. They can take a lot of abuse.
They may not be the lightest wheels in this price range, but at £100 cheaper than the DT Swiss RR21 DiCut they are still an attractive option.
Like the RR-21s no rim strips or tape is required, with the machined rim, ready for tubeless set-ups out of the box. These hoops are ideal for training/sportive rides, while the robust build would no doubt see them stand up to winter abuse too.
One thing to note is that the freehub is only SRAM or Shimano compatible, with no Campagnolo option. J-bend spokes and standard cartridge bearings does mean easy servicing and readily available replacements.
For more information, head over to SilverFish.
Verdict
Solid wheels that are ideal for all round riding. A little heavy, but the tubeless compatability is a bonus.
Details
Internal rim width: 17.5 mm
Hubs: Easton V5
Spokes: Sapim J-Bend, black, double-butted
Nipples: Sapim
