HUBS, SPOKES AND BUILD

The cartridge bearing hubs on the S1 wheels are the updated version of Stan’s Neo model – now with the DuraSync tech. The DuraSync freehub body engages 6 pawls simultaneously with a forged steel 36t ratchet ring for 36 points of contact and a 10° engagement. It’s a quiet system when compared to a Hope or Chris King rear hub and the pick up under power seemed fine with no random slippage or noises at any point. Boost (110/148mm) or standard (100/142mm) bolt through options are available with either a SRAM XD driver or Shimano freehub body fitted and it’s a 6-bolt rotor fitting only. Torque Caps to fit the Neo front hubs are available (£20 a pair) if you are running newer RockShox forks and want to benefit from easier wheel seating and the larger contact point of this system.

It’s a classic 32 hole build with both the S1 and Mk3 wheels. Stan’s use Sapim black spokes on both but the S1 wheels go with the double butted Race model with brass nipples while the Mk3s are built with the triple butted Sapim Force model and aluminium nipples. They are J bend spokes in each case and easy to source aftermarket – nothing hard to find here.

Stan’s evolved BST (Bead Socket technology) along with the fact that the rims are taped straight from the box meant that we had the tyres set up tubeless with no fuss and no leaks. Hard to fault here.

RIDE AND PERFORMANCE

With this pair of wheels weighing in at over the 2000g mark and many of our test tyres in the 750-1000g category we weren’t expecting to add a dose of verve and spirit to the bikes we bolted them to. It’s a case of an upgrade of quality to both the hubs and build along with the rim width options (and excellent tubeless sealing) when comparing them to the ‘original equipment’ wheels we removed.

At slower speeds on muddy, rooty winter trail rides the extra heft could be felt, especially compared to wheels at twice the price such as the DTSwiss XM 1501 – a wheel which has become a favourite with us for mid travel travel bikes. There is a reassuring solidity and stiffness to these wider-rimmed wheels though and this shines through on high speed and bermed trail centre descents or when pushing the bike’s limits in off-piste and off-camber terrain. The S1s don’t have the harsher feedback we sometime have experienced from carbon rimmed wheels yet stand their ground and keep the bike on track with authority in a similar manner.

VERDICT

We’ve had no issue with tyre sealing, bearings or wheel build. It would be fair to point out that we’ve run these wheels mostly on a trail bike rather than a longer travel 29er such as those in our Dirty Dozen test – so rim strength has not been tested to the levels that some riders would put these wheels through.

But when we’re talking £350 for a pair of wheels, with a good range of rim options, a quiet hub mechanism and a sensible (and easy to service) 32 spoke build it is very hard to find fault. So what could be improved on? Well, maybe the rims alone being available for rebuilds? Or with some riders running a narrower rear rim and tyre combo then the ability to buy front or rear wheels individually (as with Hope Hoops) could be good. Either way, as an affordable replacement wheelset the Stan’s Notubes S1 are without question a recommendation at this price point.

PRICE: £350/pr

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