Test/product news: With the Spengle MTB wheels, the company of the same name, which was founded in Switzerland, is presenting a wheel set that is far ahead of its time in terms of design. Spengle also uses technology in space travel. We had the new Spengle MTB Carbon Monocoque wheels in our editorial office and got an impression.
Spengle MTB Carbon: Why?
Spengle was founded in Switzerland in the 80s, and the carbon specialists are now based in Great Britain. But the carbon monocoque wheels are produced in elaborate manual work in Slovakia. The individual cuts are layered with the utmost precision and then mechanically fused. But why all this effort: "Nowadays you choose Spengle to experience a new way of driving - in a new direction to have fun." At least that's what the manufacturer promises.
Spengle MTB Carbon: Technical Variations
When it comes to product variation, Spengle clearly relies on standardization. The wheel system is currently only available in size 27,5″ (650B) with a Shimano freewheel. Everything else is modular. So you can not only choose the color of the impeller and decals when ordering. The axle width and front and rear wheel can also be adjusted to your own needs, because it doesn't matter whether it's boost or non-boost. it is made to fit using an adapter. This modular system is clever and keeps production costs low. Spengle also uses Center-Lock as a standard for installing the brake discs, but includes a suitable adapter for 6-hole discs in every delivery.
The freewheel body is anything but standard (probably). It is suitable for Shimano cassettes with 10 or 11 sprockets, but a SRAM NX 12-speed cassette does not fit. During assembly, it quickly becomes apparent that the necessary spacer rings for a suitable assembly are not included with either the cassette or the wheels. Even going to the hardware store didn't help. The SRAM NX Eagle cassette simply does not run smoothly and blocks when installed.
After consultation with the extremely committed customer service, the problem was probably recognized and already flowed into the development. An XD and Micro-Saline freehub is also in the works.
Spengle MTB Carbon: Simple assembly of the front wheel
So we found the only 650B bike in our editorial team, but unfortunately the built-in mechanics don't work with the Spengle MTB carbon monocoque wheels.
The "test" bike: Orange Alpine 160 with a 110x15mm axle at the front and 142x12mm axle at the rear, driven by a SRAM GX-Eagle group and stopped by Magura MT7 brakes.
The tubeless installation of the Maxxis tires worked perfectly, but due to the relatively small inner width of 24mm of the Spengle wheels, they are not particularly wide. In MTB, especially in the Enduro segment, the rims are now wider. Off to the brake discs. Thanks to the included Center-Lock adapter, assembly is quick and easy and the front wheel is already ready for installation. Everything fits, everything worked and everything turns what should turn.
Spengle MTB Carbon: The rear wheel that doesn't spin
Now to the rear wheel, tire and brake disc are also quickly mounted here, but now to the cassette. We relied on (industry) standards and in good faith we ordered a SRAM NX-Eagle cassette that was (should) fit on a Shimano freewheel body. But when we tried to assemble it for the first time, we immediately noticed that the dimensions didn't match. Either the cassette is too tight on the hub and nothing turns at all. Or with the spacer rings included with the cassette, the lock no longer bites into the thread. Now it's off to the hardware store and tinkering. With various rings of the right diameter in our luggage, we tried it again and it seems to work, the cassette rotates. Mount everything on the bike and the anticipation increases. A short last test on the assembly stand, turn the crank once and let it run - in vain. In the rotation, the cassette jams again on the hub and nothing works, the cassette rotates with the wheel. As if you had no freewheel.
Spengle MTB Carbon: Customer service promises confidence
After consultation with Spengle customer service, the worm is in the detail in our test scenario. A 12-speed cassette in a non-boost frame on the mounted freewheel body does not work. The topic has already been recognized at Spengle and is currently being developed, and an XD variant is also in the works.
So we hope to hear from Spengle again in a reasonable time and to complete the test accordingly, because the design and workmanship are unique, but can convince.
