Bontrager Rhythm Elite Wheels
While some may be familiar with the Rhythm Elite wheels from seeing them on Trek dual suspension bikes, Bontrager are offering their quality mountain bike wheels aftermarket as a great value option for riders wanting a quality wheelset without the expense that comes with other chi-chi hoops on the market. Sure the Rhythms may not have any coloured nipples or fancy stickers, but their stealthy aesthetic hides a boat-load of performance and technology that you will take notice of out on the trail. Using Bontragers clever TLR system means the Rhythm wheels are able to be setup tubeless with minimal fuss and is far more foolproof than some of the conversion systems available on the market. 28mm wide rims are ideal for 2.1 - 2.35" wide tyres and provide a much bigger footprint than skinnier XC wheels, providing you more traction and support when cornering under load. Overall, the Rhythm Elite wheels are designed to be stiff and strong to perform under harsh conditions, whether you're a heavy rider or just a not-so-subtle rider. The beefy hubs and their high-flange design are also responsible for this strength, as it leads to a shorter spoke length that allows the wheelbuilder to achieve higher and more even spoke tension. The thru-axle compatible hubs allow you to setup the wheels for your current bike with quick release dropouts, while being safe in the knowledge that a quick swap of the end caps will allow you to fit the Rhythm's to a modern frame & fork with thru-axles. 

From Bontrager:

"Bontrager's Rhythm Elite blends all-mountain versatility with light weight cross country components. Using a 28mm wide rim extrusion (instead of a typical 22mm) realizes the performance advantages big volume tires promise: improved traction via larger contact patch, outstanding corning, and increased protection against pinch flats".
 

TLR Tubeless System Rather than having to rely on aftermarket conversion kits or be forced to go down the UST route, Bontrager decided to come upwith their own tubeless system called TLR (TubeLess Ready). The premise of the TLR system is quite simple as all you require is a TLR compatible rim, the corresponding TLR rim strip, a tubeless valve and a tyre that is ready to set up tubeless. The Rhythm Elite wheelset comes with both the rim strips and tubeless valves. The real beauty about the TLR system is that you have the choice of running standard tyres, UST tyres or Tubeless Ready tyres depending on your needs, in fact you can simply use standard tyres and tubes if you prefer. If you need to replace a spoke all you need to do is remove the TLR rimstrip and carry out the repair as you would with a normal wheel - no funky spoke nipples, no proprietary tools - just a simple design that works. The same goes if you get a nasty hole in the tyre casing; just remove the tubeless valve and fit in a regular tube. While we would always recommend using some sort of sealant inside a tubeless tyre (Stans No Tubes or Bontrager SuperJuice), it is a requirement when using a non-UST tyre, in order to create an airtight seal.

Components of the Tubeless Ready System;
1. TLR Compatible Rim
2. TLR Rimstrip
3. Tubeless Valve
4. Tubeless compatible tyre (UST or Tubeless Ready)
5. Sealant


The Bontrager Rhythm Elite Wheelset features:

• 28mm wide 6061 Alloy eyeleted rims
• Offset Spoke Bed (OSB) technology for even spoke tension
• DT Swiss manufactured sealed bearing hubs
• 3-pawl, 24 tooth drive freehub mechanism for quick engagement
• Front hub: 9mm quick release, QR15 or 20mm thru-axle compatible (adapters included)
• Rear hub: 135mm quick release or 142x12mm thru-axle compatible (adapters included) 
• 28 DT Swiss double butted stainless steel spokes front & rear
• TLR (Tubeless Ready) System
• Weight: 1825 grams
• Designed for XC/Trail/All Mountain
• Includes: TLR Rim strips, tubeless valves and hub adapters

The Bontrager wheel range has stepped it up a notch for 2012 with some impressive features at an even more impressive pricepoint