Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 | Gear of the Day

When Bontrager released the Aeolus RSL 37 last year, it quickly became a favorite wheel of ours. Lighter than previous-generation Bontrager carbon wheels of shallower depths, and matching deeper wheels on speed, it has not just climbing prowess but also bona fide all-around chops. Now Bontrager has taken its entire…

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When Bontrager released the Aeolus RSL 37 last year, it quickly became a favorite wheel of ours. Lighter than previous-generation Bontrager carbon wheels of shallower depths, and matching deeper wheels on speed, it has not just climbing prowess but also bona fide all-around chops. Now Bontrager has taken its entire race-wheel lineup into the future, adding three models—51mm, 62mm and 75mm versions—to the flagship Aeolus RSL (Race Shop Limited) line, all designed with the aid of computer modeling to be much faster, while shedding grams and not sacrificing stability. And with tubeless-ready rims that measure 23mm wide internally, these wheels are set to take advantage of the benefits of 28mm-and-wider tires. The RSL 51, measuring 51mm deep, could be the most enticing of the new wheels for many riders, weighing just 1,410 grams while saving plenty of watts. 

bontrager rsl 51

$2,700; 1,410g; trekbikes.com

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