TechLite Carbon Clinchers

TechLite is a new name in the road market, but its parent company, O’Neal, is not new to two wheels. The motorcycle apparel company also owns Azonic, which is their mountain bike apparel and component brand. Looking to extend their reach in the pedal-power market, they launched TechLite for the road. They’re not exactly jumping into the road scene head first, but rather testing the waters with a conservative approach with just two wheelsets: a carbon 38mm and an alloy 24mm-both available in either clincher or tubular versions.

The TechLite carbon clincher wheel comes in only the one rim-depth choice, a relatively shallow 38mm. What it lacks in aerodynamics it makes up for in weight savings. Our test wheels weighed in at svelte 1380 grams (add 106 grams for the supplied skewers), 20 grams less than what they claim. The full-carbon rim that’s used is also found on a handful of other wheel brands on the market at a similar price range, but the TechLites use super-light Novatec hubs, which help the wheels come in as much as 200 grams lighter than other brands possessing the same rims. For an additional $99, TechLite has a two-year no-questions-asked wheel replacement policy, which should appeal to riders who are hard on their equipment or are racing every weekend. Like all carbon rims these days, they come with their own proprietary brake pads.

These are the lightest of the three sets of wheels we tested, and they hold their own in terms of weight compared to bigger name brands such as Reynolds’ 32mm and Easton’s EC90 SL 38mm wheels. It doesn’t take a lot of weight reduction from the wheels (rotating weight) to feel a performance difference.

Over rough roads, the TechLites were more comfortable than what we’ve become accustomed to from other (mainly deeper) carbon wheels. They provide a smooth enough ride that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort in order to ride carbon wheels.

Not as laterally stiff as we would have liked when pushing hard into a turn at speed.

Using the included pads, braking was average for carbon rims. They had decent modulation, but when we really got on them hard trying to slow down quickly, it was a reminder that carbon rims still don’t stop as well as alloy ones do.

The 38mm rim depth is on the shallow side for aero rims, which keeps them from being affected much in windy conditions. Keeping control on windy days is not hard to do. For smaller riders or women, the 38mm depth would be a good choice since it’s much easier to handle in a gust.

Even though TechLite is a new company, long-term reliability should be good since they’re using hubs and rims that have been tested on other brand wheels that have performed well. The $99 two-year replacement policy isn’t a bad idea to be covered for more than just wheel defects, especially if you’re using them on race day-where crashing can often come with the territory.

The TechLite wheelset gives you the all-carbon rim that is so heavily craved at a price and weight that make it easier to justify to your significant other. It’s versatile enough to be an all-in-one everyday and race-day wheel. Its 38mm depth doesn’t give it the same aerodynamic benefits as a deeper carbon rim, but a big weight difference between the two will be like night and day on a climb. Gram for gram, it beats out some big-name brands that come with a much steeper price tag.

Price: $1199

Weight: 1380 grams, plus 106-gram quick releases

Rim depth: 38mm

Rim width: 21mm

Spoke count: F-20/R-24

Spoke type: Aero

Spoke Pattern: F-radial/R-radial drive side, 2x non-drive side

Notes: Available for Campagnolo or Shimano/SRAM
Contact: TechLite Wheels