Oval Concepts 946CX: Off-road propulsion

More and more manufacturers of cyclocross bikes are switching to using disc brakes. However, the market is still relatively small when it comes to high-quality carbon wheels that are not only fun for training, but also for racing. Oval Concepts is one of the few manufacturers that has already expanded its range - without committing itself one hundred percent.

Equipment

The Oval Concepts intended for the use of tubular tires 946CX have, as the name suggests, a 46 millimeter high rim. The rims made of unidirectional carbon are reinforced on the flank. For a good reason: Because although the hubs indicate consistent use with disc brakes, you can also use the wheelset without the silver discs on your old cross bike equipped with cantilever brakes.

The crossed bladed spokes have a width of 2,5 millimeters and end in internal nipples. In addition, they are double butted, which on the one hand leads to a reduction in weight, but on the other hand also contributes to the very good rigidity that the 946CX distinguished.

The Oval Concepts 900hubs are made of 7075 aluminum and each have a six-hole brake disc mount and impressively smooth-running cartridge bearings. There are two in the front wheel hub and four in the rear wheel hub. The latter also has a freewheel for 11-speed Shimano and Sram cassettes. The flanges can hold 24 spokes at the front and 28 at the rear.

With this setup, the wheels weigh 1650 grams. And you notice that in action. Here are the relatively easy ones Slippers Extremely agile and guarantee decent propulsion off-road. Announcements answer the 946CX suddenly stiff and direct. You don't have to shy away from fast corners with them either. Only on very dry, slightly sandy soils do they tend to break out.

Due to the high rim, they leave a good impression, especially on soft soil. What's exciting is that it's the 946CX don't take it amiss if you hit a root with relatively low air pressure. The directional stability is largely unaffected by this, and we didn't have to put up with any vertical swings during the entire test. The situation is different with the glued-on graphics, which separated from the rim the first time it was cleaned.

Conclusion

Oval Concepts has with the 946CX a wheelset in the program that is not exactly cheap, but can be used on modern crossers with disc brakes as well as on bikes with conventional cantilever brakes. If you were to describe the wheelset in three words, they would probably be: stiff, reliable, fast!