Neugent Cycling wheels are new for 2014, helmed by John Neugent, former owner of Neuvation Wheels.© Cyclocross Magazine
John Neugent owned and operated Neuvation Wheels, a company that offered high-value wheels from 2002 to early 2014. Neugent, who had just left as President of Sachs USA when it was sold to SRAM, opened Neuvation with a direct to consumer internet model that was less common in 2002.
After a brief eight-month break from the industry, Neugent has returned with Neugent Cycling, this time concentrating on wheels that are custom assembled in San Luis Obispo, California. The Neugent wheels are hand-built for each customer and signed by the builder. We just received a set for a long-term test, and wanted to offer some initial impressions and specs.
Neugent Cycling offers disc wheels with alloy rims and two seperate depths of carbon rims. © Cyclocross Magazine
The 23mm-deep rim is 22mm wide with a bed radius yielding a saggital depth just over a millimeter. These are the same rims used in the Neugent alloy tubular wheel set for rim brakes, so the outer rim wall has a parallel machined brake track. The front wheel can act as a substitute in your rim brake bike if you need it. The rear 135mm quick release disc hub spacing might preclude you from fitting it into your rim brake bike, though.
Neugent Cycling build their wheels with a higher tension with washers (located between the nipples and the rim), claiming a 28 or 32 hole wheel durability with a 24 spoke rear wheel. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Neugent disc hub is available in black, silver, or red, and nipple color can be mixed or matched. The disc hubs have a minimal disc mounting flange that exists as six ‘ears’ radiating off the left side. Neugent says the hub bodies are forged then machined before anodizing from 6000 series aluminum. The rear hub utilizes an alloy free-hub for Shimano/SRAM 11 speed or Campagnolo 11 speed if specified by the customer. For the disc hubs the bearings are triple sealed, a bit more robust than the road hub Neugent uses.
Neugent Cycling wheels, double laced with Sapim CX Ray stainless steel aero spokes.© Cyclocross Magazine
24 Sapim CX Ray stainless aero-section spokes are laced up double-crossed both front and rear. The wheel set is light: a 630g front and a 755g rear wheel adds up to a 1385g wheel set for a paltry $549. The tested weight of these wheels came under the claimed weight on Neugent Cycling’s website, which is always a pleasant surprise, although our tested wheels are all alloy, while the company’s advertised production of wheels will include brass nipples.
For those looking to save some cash, you can also purchase the wheels at $449, built with Sapim Laser Spokes rather than the CX Ray Spokes.
Neugent Cycling wheels have a deep contour in the rim profile, which might require a trained hand for centering the tire on the wheel. © Cyclocross Magazine
Stay tuned for more product spotlights on wheels and tires in the near future on cxmagazine.com, and be sure to check out Issue 27 for a full review of the Neugent Cycling Wheels.
Neugent Cycling Wheels – A220DTW Alloy Tubular Disc Set, Specs:
Rim: 6066 Aluminum alloy, 23mm depth, 22mm width, welded seam
Spokes: Sapim CX Ray stainless steel aero, 24 front, 24 rear
Nipples: alloy anodized, front and rear, drive and non-drive
Weight: 630g front, 755g rear, no skewers
Freehub: alloy, Shimano/SRAM 11 speed, Campagnolo 11 speed.
Warranty: 1 year, wheel protection plans available from Neugent
More info: neugentcycling.com
