Cyclocross Magazine first looked at Bontrager’s Aeolus 3 tubeless-ready carbon disc clincher in 2015, and the line continues to be a mainstay for the company. The successor of the wheel we previously looked at is now the Aeolus 3 D3 TLR, which carries a price tag of $2,400 for the set.
Bontrager also offers a more affordable Aeolus 3 Pro tubeless-ready carbon disc clincher that checks in at half the price. The Aeolus 3 Pro has been given a wider profile, but it did not gain much weight and remains a reasonably-light tubeless clincher option.
We recently received a set of Aeolus 3 Pros for review. Today we take a first look at the wheelset in this product spotlight.
The $1,200, 1,616 gram Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
Bontrager’s New Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clinchers
The carbon TLR rim is 35mm deep and has a 19.5mm inside width measured to the inside of the slightly hooked walls. The outer width is 27mm.
The naked rim profile has a flat bead shelf but no ridge to hold the tire on. Bontrager’s rims are made tubeless-ready using a plastic strip. Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
Bontrager’s tubeless-ready wheelsets come with a TLR plastic rim strip that seals the spoke holes, corrects the ERD for tubeless tires—and shortens the inside sidewall depth—and provides a slight hook to keep the seated tire bead from sliding off the shelf. We measured a weight of 61 grams for each plastic strip.
The included snap-in plastic tubeless rim strip fills internal rim volume, adds a bead ridge, and seals the spoke holes. Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
We have found the TLR strip works as advertised and snaps right in. It is certainly easier than having to tape the rim for tubeless use.
With this TLR strip system we mounted tubeless-ready tires, both wide and narrow, easily and reliably. The process was seemingly easier than it was with the previous Aeolus 3 version we looked at three years ago.
The snap-in tubeless rim strip includes a molded valve hole to mate with the included flat bottom tubeless valve stem. Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
The Aeolus 3 Pro wheels are laced with straight-pull DT Aerolite spokes in a 2x pattern. The hub is a Bontrager 24-point, 3-pawl hub that is compatible with 10 and 11-speed SRAM and Shimano freehubs. The hubs are compatible with centerlock rotors.
The rear wheel comes with a Bontrager hub and is compatible with SRAM and Shimano 10 and 11-speed freehubs. Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
The wheelset comes with 12mm thru-axles front and rear. An axle swap kit is available to convert to quick release or 15mm thru-axle.
Bontrager’s hubs are centerlock rotor compatible. The wheels have 24 straight pull bladed spokes in a 2x pattern. Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine
We measured a total weight of 1,616 grams for the wheelset, which is similar to the claimed weight of 1,600 grams. The front wheel is 732 grams and rear 884 grams.
Stay Tuned for More
We will be putting the Aelous 3 wheelset to the test this fall. Stay tuned for ride impressions and a full review of this carbon tubeless-ready wheelset.
Bontrager Aeolus 3 Pro Tubeless-Ready Carbon Disc Clincher Specifications
MSRP: $1,200
Rim: OCLV carbon; 35mm deep; 19.5mm inside width, 27mm outer width
Hub: Bontrager 24-point engagement, 3-pawl; 24-hole front and rear; centerlock
Axles: Front and rear 12mm thru-axle; Axle swap kit for quick release or 15mm thru-axle available
Spokes: DT Aerolite laced 2x
Weight: 1,616 grams (actual); Front: 732 grams (actual), Rear: 884 grams (actual)
More info: trekbikes.com
