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Easton Tempest II Wheels

Wednesday, 13th September 2006

Easton, as previously seen in earlier reviews, make some of the best, most technologically advanced products in the world.  We really rated the 2 piece Aero-Bar and the simplicity and comfort of the EC70 seat post.  So much so that these have become staple components for TSN Racing Team.

So how about the wheels, where have they come from and how do they perform?

 This is where Easton initially changed from in-house development to purchasing a well established US wheel manufacturer and immediately gained a strong foot hold in the ultra competitive wheel market.  Did they make the right choice?  We have to say a resounding yes!  The Tempest IIs are at the top of the alloy rimmed range and are fast, responsive and absolutely bomb proof.  Easton also produce a deep, Carbon rimmed, super light wheelset (1250grms), based on the same technology, the Tempest Carbon.

Easton bought wheel builders, Velomax, and with Velomax some very interesting technology.  Velomax had been a successful company in its own right, however, Easton provided a greater worldwide market opportunity and since then have been producing great wheels.

The test wheels still have Velomax branded hubs on an Easton branded semi deep alloy rim.  Spoking is fairly conventional, radial on the front, and on the rear, radial non-drive, 2-cross on the drive side.

 The hubs are fantastic, super smooth and very well sealed.  They have run cleanly and quietly since we took these wheels on, over 3 months ago.  They have never been looked at in that time, and with the British spring and summer we have had all 4 seasons over 3 months!

 The spoking and the way they attach to the hubs is the first real innovation that you wont see on any other wheel sets.  One of the weakest parts of a wheel is the spoke, and in particular the ends.  Most spokes are J in shape, with the J shaped end at the hub.  Due to the bend, at this point the spoke is at its weakest.  Eastons spokes are straight, without the bend and screw directly into the hub, with the other end at the rim, using a more conventional nipple.  The great benefit is that a stronger spoke means that it can be tighter and it gives a more reactive wheel.

The spokes themselves are narrow and bladed, much like the Sapim CX-Ray spokes.  They provide a significant aero advantage over a round spoke, but not as much as those that you find on something like a Mavic Ksyrium.  Using such a spoke, the Tempest can be trued at any bike shop, and replacement spokes can be made up easily and quickly if required.

 The rim is more conventional; a box section, semi-deep profile.  They are clincher only with perfectly machined braking surfaces.

 Wheels can make or break the ride of a bike, and we are pleased to report that Easton Tempest II Wheels add to the ride!  They are stiff, responsive and fairly light (1500gms) for wheels at this price point.  They are a great, versatile wheelset.  The rims and spokes give an aero advantage over a standard wheel, without becoming a fully aero wheel with its associated handling characteristics.  The weight is in the lighter category of wheel, but their winning hand comes at the quality of the hubs and the spoking technology, which gives such a robust wheel.

The ride is solid, but not inspiring for lighter riders.  We have tried the Easton Tempest II Wheels with female testers, c75kg riders and 90kg+ riders.  The wheels really come into their own with a heaver rider, as a lighter rider can get away with less spokes and a lighter rim, to drop the weight down and get more responsiveness as a result.  For a heavier rider the wheels spin up quickly and provide a very stable ride.

In conclusion, the versatility of the wheelset, is also their slight undoing.  They are not quiet as responsive as some for a race wheelset, not quite as aero as you would like for a full TT wheelset, but they are a real all rounder, they climb well, roll well and are good value for money at £499.