Remerx RTX Disc Tubular Review

 

They’re Tough
 
We rode just about a full season of cyclocross on our Remerx test wheels in a variety of conditions including dust and hardpack, grass, and some pretty sloppy mud towards the end of the season. Cyclocross wheels are most susceptible to two types of failure. The first, bearing failure, is most frequent. Mud, grit and water seep into the wheel and cassette bearings throughout the year, grinding the bearing surfaces and bearings until the wheel spins hesitantly and roughly.

 

 
These tubulars offer three layers of bearing protection. First, the hubs use cartridge bearings. Cartridges don’t spin as smoothly as the old-school open ball systems, but they are more resistant to rough conditions and easy to replace. Second, the wheels use a piece of chamois that covers the bearing. This chamois is designed to repel dust and absorb water before it reaches the bearing. Finally, the chamois is capped by an aluminium cover. The system worked extremely well. The Remerx bearings were un-phased by some of the worst conditions in British cyclocross history. A bearing replacement will not be required before next season, as both the hubs and the cassette spun smoothly.
 

 
The second, more common with tubs than clinchers, are rim ding related wheel failures. When tyres are run at low pressures, the rims can take a fair beating particularly in dry conditions over ruts, or in the mud where obstacles are hidden below a layer of slime. The Remerx rims are a mid-depth alloy wheel with quite a wide rim bed. After multiple races we found no dings in the rim, or even a wobble. Admittedly, British cyclocross courses are not the roughest of terrains, but we rode our tubs at 20-22psi all season banging the rim against the ground at least once a lap. This strength does not come with a significant weight penalty either; thanks to the lightweight hubs and a 24 aluminium spoke construction, the pair of wheels weighs in at a very respectable 1595 grams.
 

 
Our only concerns with long term durability are the aluminium spokes. Aluminium is more inclined to break under long term repeated stress than steel and we do worry about the outcome of mud-induced shift into the rear wheel. We also found the spokes scratched and nicked a little more easily in transport than we’d consider ideal. That said, spokes are available through Remerx’s UK distributor, so even with the worst possible outcome, the wheels are rebuildable with new spokes, nipples, and one of Remerx’s custom spoke keys.
 

 
Oh My Goodness, They’re Stiff
 
Each wheel is laced with 24 spokes. The lacing design features a proprietary configuration. The spokes are an enormous bladed hammerhead design which requires a custom hub drilling for spoke seating and an extra large alloy spoke nipple for threading. The design is both attractive and functional. Even with soft, cushy tubs on the wheels, the lateral rigidity of the setup was immediately apparent.