Bontrager Aura 5 Wheels
While the full carbon Aeolus series has stolen much of the limelight for the 2012 Bontrager wheel range, the new Aura 5 wheelset has quietly been introduced as an exceptionally fast 50mm deep clincher wheelset that represents stunning value for money. Coming in at under $2k, the Aura 5 provides road racers and triathletes with an aerodynamically fast racing wheelset that is designed to perform in a wide range of conditions, whether the race course involves winding hill climbs or straight line descents. Sure a 80/90mm rim will be faster on the flats and you could get something lighter for climbing, but for those of us that can't afford 3 different sets of race wheels, the Aura 5 is the best all-round option. Drawing on their relationship with the Swiss wheel masters, Bontrager have employed the use of DT Swiss bladed Aerolite spokes in the Aura 5 wheelset to keep overall weight down while keeping wind drag to a minimum. The hubs are also made by DT, with quality sealed cartridge bearings and a fast engaging 3-pawl freehub mechanism providing trouble-free performance that will last for seasons to come. The freehub itself is user-serviceable without any specialist tools required, which along with the standard DT Swiss spokes, will give home mechanics and privateers the confidence that they can maintain their race bike wherever they are.

ACC Rims
Standing for "Aluminum Carbon Construction", the Aura 5 rims use a hybrid structure that combines an internal aluminum rim skeleton that houses the spoke beds, with a carbon fairing to provide an aerodynamic profile that mimics the Aeolus wheels. The advantage of using this technique is that you end up with a very fast and lightweight wheelset that comes in at a considerably cheaper price than a full carbon rimmed wheel. The 6061 Alloy provides a stiff platform for the wheelset and makes truing the Aura's a far less painful task than some would imagine. The clincher rim is ideal for those who don't like the downsides that come with a full tubular wheelset, particularly privateer racers that don't have a support team with back up wheels at the ready. 

From Bontrager:

"Using all the lessons from designing our new Aeolus D3 wheels, the brand new Aura 5 wheelset has an aluminum rim mated to a 50mm carbon profile. Proven to be crazy fast in the wind tunnel, the Aura is the highest performance for the price on the road".


The Bontrager Aura 5 Wheelset features:

• Aluminum Carbon Construction (ACC)
• 6061 Alloy internal rim & braking surface with OCLV Carbon fairing
• Aerodynamic design based on Aeolus series
• 50mm Deep Rims
• DT Swiss manufactured hubs with 3-pawl drive mechanism for durability
• Shimano/SRAM compatible freehub
• Sealed bearing hubs
• DT Swiss Aerolite bladed spokes for reduced drag
• Clincher rim for use with standard road tyres & tubes
• Weight: 1740 grams
• Includes: Quick release skewers and alloy presta valve extenders

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