Test: With the SRAM Roam 60, we tested a carbon wheelset for almost every imaginable MTB use. With an inner width of 30mm, low weight and high rigidity, the wheels, which cost over €2.000, should feel comfortable on almost any terrain - from trail to enduro.
Carbon wheels have also not been uncommon in the MTB sector for a number of years. However, while weight-focused XC pilots, even in the amateur sector, often reach for wheels with carbon fiber rims as a matter of course, the concerns in trail and enduro use are even greater. How stable can such a rim be? Is the surcharge to conventional aluminum rims worth it? These and similar questions should also be floating around in the minds of some prospective buyers of wheels like the new SRAM Roam 60. With a generous inner width of 30mm, the Roam 27,5, which is only available in 60″, moves exactly in the haze between trail and enduro.
The key data of the SRAM Roam 60
Wheel size: 27,5″
Hub Width: Standard (100/142) and Boost (110/148)
Axle standards FW: QR / 15 x 100 / 15 x 110 / 20 x 110
Axle standards rear: quick release / 142 x 12 / 148 x 12
Inner width: 30mm
Hubs: Double Time / 54 detents
Weight: 1.625g
Price: €939 (front) / €1282 (rear)
With a weight of 1.625g, the new Roam 60 LRS weighs a few grams more than its immediate predecessor - the reason for this is probably the inner width of the rims, which has grown by a whopping 9 millimeters. If you take this into account, the minimal additional weight should be quite easy to get over. Of course, the carbon rims are also tubeless-ready, as befits the year 2017. The corresponding rim tape is already pre-assembled at the factory and the required valves are included in the scope of delivery. Speaking of scope of delivery: All available axle adapters are also hidden in the box and, as a great bonus, rim decals in a total of seven (!) different colors.
SRAM Roam 60 rim – what's the catch?
One of the magic words when it comes to carbon rims in the last two or three years has been "Hookless". This refers to rims that do not have the characteristic "hook" on the rim flange that clamps the tire to a certain extent. The big problem with this “barb” on carbon rims is manufacturing. Either you produce the rims directly with the traditional rim flange, or you mill them out afterwards. While the latter method does not only add one work step in production and the rim loses some of its stability due to milling, it is technically extremely expensive and very difficult to directly produce a carbon rim with such a barb.
For these reasons, manufacturers are increasingly relying on so-called hookless rims. Skeptics may wonder how the tire then stays in the rim - but the last few years have shown that this works without any problems due to the contact pressure. With a tubeless setup, the interaction between tire and rim is also much less critical and incompatibilities are only a rare exception. So it's no wonder that SRAM also uses hookless rims in the Roam 60.
SRAM Roam 60 Construction - One spoke, no problem
24 bladed spokes hold the rim to the hubs at the front and back and ensure a light but, according to SRAM, just as stable structure. A really cool feature is the Solo Spoke technology: Thanks to the asymmetrical rim structure and the straight-pull hubs, it is possible to use the same spoke length on both sides of the wheels. This should be of particular interest to those who like to be out and about on their MTB in remote regions for a longer period of time - it is sufficient to take a spare spoke with you, as it can be used anywhere on the wheels.
SRAM Roam 60 hubs
Completely new – own – paths are being taken compared to the predecessor with the built-in hubs. While the inner workings of the Roam 60 previously came from DT Swiss, the US manufacturer is using in-house technology with the new generation. At the same time, this means moving away from the typical DT Swiss toothed disc freewheel - instead, traditional pawls are used again. Of the total of four pawls, two always grip one of the 26 teeth of the counterpart at the same time. This gives you 54 locking points and a low release angle of less than 7° - fans of technical terrain in particular should take note of this with benevolence, where the smallest possible idle travel is extremely important. By the way: Friends of loud freewheels should get their money's worth with the new SRAM hubs.
The hubs can be converted to all common axle standards - only for Boost do you need new hubs due to the special design. The adapters have the same dimensions on the right and left and are simply plugged onto the axle. So the exchange is a piece of cake. Of course, the Roam 60 is available with SRAM's own XD freewheel as well as with a conventional freewheel for 9/10/11-speed cassettes. This is also simply plugged onto the hub.
SRAM Roam 60 Ride Report
We rode the SRAM Roam 60 on a variety of terrain for several months and were able to put it to the test. The noble carbon wheels had to prove themselves in an all-mountain hardtail and the rear wheel in particular must have started to sweat a lot from time to time due to the lack of suspension. When it came to tires, Schwalbe chose the new Nobby Nic – a voluminous 2,8″ variant on the front wheel and a semi-plus 2,6″ on the rear. We would generally recommend the 30mm rim for tire widths between 2,4″ and 2,8″ - depending on personal preferences and driving style, there is still a little leeway up and down.
With the combination of wide rims, voluminous tires and correspondingly low air pressure, tubeless installation is almost mandatory. With a tube, the risk of punctures is simply too high - especially in the case of our test bike with a rigid rear. In the case of the SRAM Roam 60, however, this is not a major problem: the tubeless tape is already fitted ex works and valves are included. All you need is sealant. The assembly itself works well, but we had to use a compressor here - the tire didn't want to jump into the rim with the floor pump alone. In our experience, this is the disadvantage of hookless rims. With a compressor, CO² cartridge or a special tubeless pump, assembly is no problem at all and the wheels were immediately sealed and held air.
On typical Central European trails, the wheels gave very little reason for criticism. Thanks to the low weight - even with slightly heavier Plus tires - you accelerate easily and the high rigidity provides very immediate feedback. The construction of the wheels is excellent - the spoke tension is even and even after a few weeks of hard testing, nothing has changed. The tires sit firmly on the rim and even with low pressure we couldn't provoke any burping. In order to protect the rim from damage in the event of punctures, we would recommend using Huck Norris, for example - especially with such an expensive wheelset.
The freewheel with its 52 locking points flexed its muscles, especially on technically demanding terrain. The low release angle allows fine dosing and precise use of force when it is needed.
In terms of stability, we couldn't find anything negative over the entire test period. In view of the low weight and only 24 spokes, we would classify the wheels in the more potent trail area than in enduro - at least in continuous use. A small minus point, at least from an optical point of view, is the fairly scratch-sensitive carbon surface. After a few weeks of testing, we already had one or two unsightly scratches on the rims – only superficial, but still visible.
Leave a Comment