Spinergy GXX Wheels: Getting Rolling – by Guitar Ted
Spinergy has been a name in wheel sets for many years, but recently became a maker of gravel wheel sets. We reviewed the GX wheels here, but now Spinergy has a carbon rimmed version of that wheel set dubbed GXX. Let’s take a look at them a bit closer here:
What It Is: Spinergy has been famous for using an alternative to stainless steel spokes for years. Their spoke is based upon a use of a special fiber. Specifically a spoke with “over 30,000 strands of polyphenylene bensobisoxazole fiber”. These fibers are then coated with a chemical, water, and UV resistant material which can be colored. The PBO spokes also have three times the strength of stainless steel, according to Spinergy, at half the weight of stainless steel spokes.
But the big story for gravel riders with these PBO spokes is the reduction in vibration that this alternative spoke material provides. Much like the recently reviewed Atomik/Berd Ultimate wheels, these spokes just do not transmit vibrations in the same way steel does. So you get less ‘buzz’ and still retain excellent strength properties.
The new GXX wheels do have a few differences from the GX wheels which we reviewed previously. These new wheels are Center Lock brake compatible, have a Spinergy designed, Hadley manufactured free hub body and roll on stainless steel bearings.
The biggest difference, of course, is the carbon fiber rim material versus the traditional aluminum material of the GX wheels. The carbon rim Spinergy uses here is a 24 spoke hole, 24mm internal rim dimension, 29mm external, and 26mm deep rim. Tubeless compatible, of course. The rims came taped out of the box, by the way, so all you have to do is provide your own tubeless valve stems, tires, and sealant to go tubeless.
The GXX wheels also are available in the following free hub configurations: Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM XDR AXS, and SRAM XD- SPDM. Either quick release or 12mm through axle interfaces can be chosen as well. Spinergy does not offer axle end caps with the wheels but they are available separately. Every wheel set also ships with a truing tool and wrench. Claimed weight for the set is 1590 grams. MSRP is pretty surprising at only $999.00 USD.
First Impressions: The wheels looked great out of the box with the subtle graphics and the single red PBO spoke and red “XX” decal. I tend to prefer wheels that don’t ‘shout’ the branding at me so these wheels are more my cup-o-tea in that regard. The tape jobs on the wheels were excellent and the PBO spokes, while not unusual to my sensibilities anymore, may appear huge to first time buyers. They definitely stand out.
The test pair of wheels weighed in at 1570 grams total, so that was a bit less than claimed. Nice. These are not ‘really light wheels‘ by any stretch of the imagination, but at (barely) sub-1000 dollars, it isn’t surprising to me that the weight is where it is with the GXX’s.
The WTB Byway 700c X 40mm tires mounted well and I was able to air them up without removing the valve core with a standard floor pump. Impressive! The first test spins seem to indicate that these wheels will be fun to ride and that they will perform without any major issues. So, the next step is to hit the gravel roads and see what, if anything, having a carbon rim will do versus the aluminum GX wheels. Look for an A/B test to determine that. I will report back soon. Off to go riding…….
For more about the Spinergy GXX wheels see their site here: https://www.spinergy.com/products/gxx
Note: Spinergy sent over the GXX wheel set for test and review to Riding Gravel at no charge. We are not being paid, nor bribed, for this review and we strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
With their Black Friday sale these are $799. Really good price for a carbon wheelset.
I can’t imagine picking a different wheel for under $1000. That’s a very legit hub, seems like a pretty good rim, good weight for the specs, and they look cool. If the PBO spokes work as advertised, that’s even better.
Those specs 5 years ago would have been double the price and likely several asterisks about 180 lb weight limits. Well done.
@Patrick – The PBO spokes have been around since the turn of this century. I know of a set of Spinergy’s using these spokes that has been around since that time and is still going strong. One data point, but something to consider…..
I’m familiar with the history of the PBO spoke. I just cannot back up any claims of their vibration absorption without having used them firsthand. I appreciate insight from somebody like yourself though.
Looks like a great deal. I don’t see it mentioned on their website- do these have a hooked rim profile, or hookless?
@Sean – Great question! It’s a little tough to make it out in my image in the article, but yes- these are hook bead rims.
Great- thanks!
What is the tire size that these will work with?
My current tire rotation is: WTB Riddler 37mm @40-45psi for gravel and trail, and a 30mm Schwalbe G-One speed @60-65psi for road.
If these would work with both, that would be awsome.
What is the minimum tire size?
@ Dude- I will have to ask Spinergy. They do not specify a minimum tire width for the GXX.
@Dude – The answer I received from Spinergy is that the minimum tire size for the GXX wheels is 32mm.
Please note that these are not actual Hadley hubs. I’ve contacted Hadley about it and they told me they only make a small portion of it. And that they can’t actually be called Hadley hubs. Not sure if Spinergy is marketing them as such, but they would be wrong. Their price is okay but I wouldn’t be as comfortable with those spokes as with regular spokes.
They also look way too shouty and not to mention the aero aspect of those thick spokes. I think there are some good options for less with real proven hardware.
@Gerben- Here is what the post says above: ” …Hadley manufactured free hub body..” If you know what a “free hub body” is, you should understand that you, or anyone else, has nothing to worry about. The “hub” has a Hadley manufactured part, in other words. Make sense?