Tested: RaceFace NEXT R31 29” wheel set

Words: Ryan Walsch                                                                                Photos: Nick Waygood
 
The Next R31 wheel set is a top tier offering and amongst a total of 5 carbon wheel sets from RaceFace. The R31 is placed between the narrower (26mm internal) and more XC/trail focused Next SL and the wider Next R36 (36mm internal) wheel which is optimised for a 2.4-2.8 inch tyre. We like that the term Rally has been used rather than Enduro for placing these wheels, as these are great mix of day to day ride ability to heavy hitting race applications with climbs thrown in the mix.
 
Both front and rear wheels are 28 hole and have a three cross straight pull configuration or for the bespoke wheel building boffins, 32 hole J-bend hubs and either 28-32 hole rims available aftermarket. The wheels are available in 27.5” and 29”, and in just about every hub spacing option you can imagine.

 

With wider hubs, through axles and stiffer frames super stiff carbon wheels can be as detrimental to a ride than a flexy wheel. The Next R while having an external width of 37.5mm only has a height of 34mm making the profile more vertically compliant than some other designs. I was interested to see how this related to trail feel after testing other wheels following this philosophy. 

RACE FACE CARBON CONFIDENCE GUARANTEE

“RaceFace believes that our carbon wheels are top of their class; they are so durable we are offering the following 2 year, no fault, guarantee to the original retail purchaser with proof of purchase. At the discretion of RaceFace we will, within 2 years of your original purchase, repair or replace your carbon wheel regardless of how the damage occurred or what the damage is. This guarantee covers your complete carbon wheel, including the rim, spokes, and hub with bearings to ensure you have a fully functioning, ride-ready wheel.”

Setup
 
The wheels came tubeless ready, with the tape already mounted neatly and valves installed. This beats the parts in the box – thanks RaceFace! There is also a packet of 5 spokes per wheel and with the wide hub flanges and offset rim both drive side and non-drive side spokes are the same length front and rear, so simple.

A fresh set of Bontrager’s SE5 tyres mounted up very easily on the preinstalled tape, helped by the relatively shallow rim well. We found that there was no need for a compressor to be used and a track pump was used accordingly. The bead slipped up onto the bead without fuss or the usual spine tingling bang of norm. Given the aggressive nature of the wheel, the SE5 or similarly Maxxis Double Down casing would be best suited giving the best balance of trail feel, sure footedness and protection.

On the Trail
 
As soon as I left the workshop, I notice how well the Vault hubs roll. The 120 points of engagement from the 2 groups of 3 double toothed pawls produce very little drag and a crisp and not over the top noise that enables the rider to hear what the bike is doing underneath. Each pawl is independently sprung on a leaf style spring and are all housed withing the drive side hub shall rather than the free-hub body itself.

The 3 degree engagement makes getting the power down on technical climbs and over obstacles much easier than many hubs available. That little back pedal required to pop the front wheel up onto and over a feature is more fluid and requires less balance as drive can be maintained onwards and upwards. 

Driving out of corners has less delay thanks again to the snappy engagement, no slipping or big clunks, just near instantaneous drive. The Next R31s get up to speed very quickly with a combined weight of 1765g for the 29er wheels on test and 1680g for the 27.5” which is impressive given RaceFace’s confidence and 2 no fault guarantee.
 
Blazing trail is where these wheels are most at home, their ability to change direction precisely is up there with the best carbon wheels I have ridden. While they are very stiff laterally they remain compliant vertically and don’t feel like they beat me up as other stiff carbon wheels can sometimes do. RaceFace have done a great job finding a layup and lacing configuration that gives the wheel confidence and a nice compliant trail feel.

 
The 31mm internal width is a few millimeters wider than I am used to and what most Enduro/Trail wheels are running, with the tread pattern’s profile sitting squarer than norm. Even with a Maxxis WT (wider casing) tyre mounted upfront for reference the profile isn’t as round as the 28/29mm rim widths that the wheel sets I have been using (Crankbrothers Synthesis, Roval Traverse, Bontrager Line XXX, ENVE M730).

This can expose the sidewall of the tyre and provide less “bag” or cushion for impacts but does reduce tyre squirm. Initially we were a bit on the conservative side with pressures and ran 28psi front and 30psi rear but incremently dropped back to 26psi/28psi. We did get a couple of small rim strikes to the bead and to the side of the rim as rocks flicked up and can report that we have had no issues thus far.

I did gash the front Bontrager SE5 2.3” (measures 2.4”) as I passed too close to a rock, the Side knobs missing the rock leaving the wall of the tyre unprotected. This is not a deal breaker, just something to consider when choosing tyres and especially width.
 
At $2758 for a pair of Next R31s which come with what could be the best warranty available they do represent exceptional value. There are a total of 8 different decal colours that can be purchased aftermarket for those whom wish to pimp their ride
 
RRP: $2748
From: solasport.com.au
 
Hits:
 
 – No fault 2 year replacement
 – Easy setup
 – Hub configurations and ease of servicing
 – Fast rolling with fast engagement
 – Stiff yet compliant
 
Misses:
 
 – 31mm internal width may be too wide for some riders/tyres
 – Straight pull spokes can be more difficult to true
 – Front wheel required slight truing after a few spokes loosened on the first ride