Zen Carbon Wheels Xiamen

[Samuel BMR]

Can’t wait to receive my pair of 65mm VAPORLITE ULTRA!! Silver hubs

Advertised at 1109g (!!!) I will report back and detail the whole process, weighing & measuring everything.

I’m 64kg so no worries about weight limit here

[Sander2177]

Hey all Just received a set of Zen wheels for a mate from my cycling club who’s new to this side of things, so thought I’d share some details for anyone interested.

These are a 60mm front & rear setup, U-shaped profile:

25mm internal width (hooked)
32mm external width (bead)
~34mm max width at the widest point
He races a mix of TTs, road races, and crits, so wanted something that balances aero, stiffness, and reliability rather than chasing absolute weight.

Spec:

100kg rider weight limit
ZC270RC hub (similar to H-works SR270 style)
Shimano 11-speed HT freehub
Steel bearings
20 spokes front & rear
3.95mm carbon spokes
UD matte (paint-free) finish
Claimed weight: 1276g ±30g
Actual weights:

Front: 585.8g
Rear: 710g
Total: ~1296g
So around 20g over claimed, which is pretty reasonable.

The RIM spec, hub and weight is pretty much Identical to the 8Lien Wide Version Disc Carbon Wheelset (25MM Inner) L6W.                                                                       https://8lienbike.com/products/best-aero-wheels?variant=49347976626462

What’s included:

Tubeless valves
Tubeless tape installed
3 spare carbon spokes


Timeline:

Ordered: mid-March
Build time: ~6 weeks
Shipped: 15th April
Processed via Chinese agent: 17th April
Delivered (DPD UK): 26th April
Overall, pretty smooth process considering it’s a custom build.

He’s picking them up this evening, so will be interesting to get some real-world feedback once they’re fitted and ridden.

He’s planning to run 30mm tyres on a 2020 Scott Foil, so should be a quick setup once built up and he is confident they will fit his bike!

[Takiyaki]

How much were they?

[Rebel_Yell]

Hey all Just received a set of Zen wheels for a mate from my cycling club who’s new to this side of things, so thought I’d share some details for anyone interested.

These are a 60mm front & rear setup, U-shaped profile:

25mm internal width (hooked)
32mm external width (bead)
~34mm max width at the widest point
He races a mix of TTs, road races, and crits, so wanted something that balances aero, stiffness, and reliability rather than chasing absolute weight.

Spec:

100kg rider weight limit
ZC270RC hub (similar to H-works SR270 style)
Shimano 11-speed HT freehub
Steel bearings
20 spokes front & rear
3.95mm carbon spokes
UD matte (paint-free) finish
Claimed weight: 1276g ±30g
Actual weights:

Front: 585.8g
Rear: 710g
Total: ~1296g
So around 20g over claimed, which is pretty reasonable.

The RIM spec, hub and weight is pretty much Identical to the 8Lien Wide Version Disc Carbon Wheelset (25MM Inner) L6W.                                                                       https://8lienbike.com/products/best-aero-wheels?variant=49347976626462

What’s included:

Tubeless valves
Tubeless tape installed
3 spare carbon spokes


Timeline:

Ordered: mid-March
Build time: ~6 weeks
Shipped: 15th April
Processed via Chinese agent: 17th April
Delivered (DPD UK): 26th April
Overall, pretty smooth process considering it’s a custom build.

He’s picking them up this evening, so will be interesting to get some real-world feedback once they’re fitted and ridden.

He’s planning to run 30mm tyres on a 2020 Scott Foil, so should be a quick setup once built up and he is confident they will fit his bike!

They look incredible and are very very similar to my Zen set!! Absolutely love them!

[Sander2177]

How much were they?

Wheels $799
Shipping and taxes to UK $100
PayPal Goods & Services Fee $40
$949 (£700)

[ZenCarbonBike]

Hello Forum Members this is a first release
Zen Carbon Update – New VaporLite II 50mm Rim Now Available

Quick update for anyone following the Zen VaporLite range.
The new 50mm VaporLite II rim has completed testing and is now available for sale.
Key changes vs original VaporLite:

Inner width: 25mm (up from 23mm)
Rim profile: Full U‑profile (Original VaporLite is a mixed U/V profile)
Impact resistance (drop test): 110J (significant increase up from 90J)
Load limit: 120kg system weight (competing rims typically rated around 100kg)

Complete wheelset example:

Rim depth: 50mm F / 50mm R
Spokes: 3.1mm bladed carbon spokes
Hubs: ZC235RC Superlight hub set (235g)
Total wheelset weight: 1019g +/-3g

This is a clear strength, width, and durability upgrade over the original VaporLite while keeping weight extremely competitive for a 25mm internal.
More details available if anyone wants build options or pricing please Whatsapp or E-Mail
RIMS $250usd each Fully Built Vaporlite Ultra II wheelset $999usd
Can still provide customisation on rim/wheelsets diffrent hubs and steel or carbon spokes available for builds

[Rolle2k]

Hello Forum Members this is a first release
Zen Carbon Update – New VaporLite II 50mm Rim Now Available

Quick update for anyone following the Zen VaporLite range.
The new 50mm VaporLite II rim has completed testing and is now available for sale.
Key changes vs original VaporLite:

Inner width: 25mm (up from 23mm)
Rim profile: Full U‑profile (Original VaporLite is a mixed U/V profile)
Impact resistance (drop test): 110J (significant increase up from 90J)
Load limit: 120kg system weight (competing rims typically rated around 100kg)

Complete wheelset example:

Rim depth: 50mm F / 50mm R
Spokes: 3.1mm bladed carbon spokes
Hubs: ZC235RC Superlight hub set (235g)
Total wheelset weight: 1019g +/-3g

This is a clear strength, width, and durability upgrade over the original VaporLite while keeping weight extremely competitive for a 25mm internal.
More details available if anyone wants build options or pricing please Whatsapp or E-Mail
RIMS $250usd each Fully Built Vaporlite Ultra II wheelset $999usd
Can still provide customisation on rim/wheelsets diffrent hubs and steel or carbon spokes available for builds

Any plans to release these in 55/58/65 depth? i'm looking at a set with 55/58mm front and 65mm rear - specifically u-shaped.

[ZenCarbonBike]

Any plans to release these in 55/58/65 depth? i'm looking at a set with 55/58mm front and 65mm rear - specifically u-shaped.

Sir as a small company we are only initially releasing 50mm depth and see how well its recieved before committing to any other Depths.

We have U shaped profiles in 55&60 cm  24mm IW 31/34mm EW,   we also have 60cm 25mm IW 32/24MM EW.  65mm we have U/V hybrid 25mm IW and 32.4mm EW.

Contact details below.

[Rolle2k]

Sir as a small company we are only initially releasing 50mm depth and see how well its recieved before committing to any other Depths.

We have U shaped profiles in 55&60 cm  24mm IW 31/34mm EW,   we also have 60cm 25mm IW 32/24MM EW.  65mm we have U/V hybrid 25mm IW and 32.4mm EW.

Contact details below.

I'll get back later then to check if you have decided to make them available in deeper variations also. These U-shaped VaporLite II are the only design you have that i'm interested in, otherwise not worth upgrading from current wheels i have.
58/65 is what im primary looking for, but 55/65 or 60/65 would also work.👍

[ZenCarbonBike]

I'll get back later then to check if you have decided to make them available in deeper variations also. These U-shaped VaporLite II are the only design you have that i'm interested in, otherwise not worth upgrading from current wheels i have.
58/65 is what im primary looking for, but 55/65 or 60/65 would also work.👍

Sir
There’s is no guarantee we will do this rim in other depths
We already have U shaped profiles available

[ZenCarbonBike]

Hi All Pricing and Weighs for 50MM Vaporlite II

Carbon Spoke Models

ULTRA
$999 USD

ZC235Rc – 20/20 spokes Black or silver hub36T / 54T ratchet
Approx. 1019g

ZC245Rc – 24/24 spokes Black hub 36T / 54T ratchet
Approx. 1046g

PRO
$899 USD

ZC270Rc 20/20 spokes Black or silver hub 36T / 54T ratchet
20/20 spokes – approx. 1059g

ZC288Rc 20/20 spokes Black or silver hub 36T / 54T ratchet
20/24 spokes – approx. 1084g



Steel Spoke SL Models
ZC240Rs hub – 240g | 24/24 spokes Black or silver hub · 36T / 54T ratchet

Steel SL – Alpina Hyperlight
$879 USD
Approx. 1129g

Steel SL – Sport (Sapim CX-Ray)
$749 USD
Approx. 1179g

Titanium Spoke SL Model
$799 USD
Approx. 1109g

Steel Spoke S Models
ZC261Rs hub – 268g | 24/24 spokes Black or silver hub · 36T / 54T ratchet

Steel S – Alpina Hyperlight
$849 USD
Approx. 1160g

Steel S – Sport (Sapim CX-Ray)
$729 USD
Approx. 1208g

Titanium Spoke S Model
$779 USD
Approx. 1139g

Options to have wider/thicker carbon spokes if required.
Decals/No Decal/Vinyl Stickers or Custom Decals available
And Multiple carbon Fibre finishes available, there is a small additional cost for such fished as Butterfly weave 3K/6K/12K these also add a little more weight.

[Sander2177]

New 65mm front and rear wheelset is finally on its way to Rhinos Workshop for the Quick Pro ER One build shippied yesterday!
Ordered February long wait was due to request for hidden spoke nipples and waiting for the manufacturer to develop there hidden nipple system and test it.

Specs:

* 25mm internal width
* 32.4mm external width
* THR Industries R2 hub (2:1 ratio)
* UD paintfree Gloss Finish
* Superlight 100-110kg load limit
Front wheel:
* Estimated weight 1234g actual 1252g

* 21 spokes
* 14 cross-laced on the disc side
* 7 radial laced

Rear wheel:

* 24 spokes
* 16 cross-laced on the cassette side
* 8 cross-laced on the disc side

Built with 3.2mm bladed carbon spokes and hidden nipples.

This wheelset took considerably longer to lace due to the hidden nipple system. The tight internal rim tolerances leave very little room for variation, so additional spokes had to be ordered in +/- mm increments to prevent the nipples from protruding beyond the rim.

On top of that, lacing the R2 hub—with its 2:1 pattern—is more time-consuming compared to a traditional 1:1 hub build.

[gbrnole]

dang, that's a really good looking pair of wheels - i much prefer the look of the more narrow blade depth on carbon spokes. great weight too considering not eking out every saving for a weight weenie build.

[Sander2177]

dang, that's a really good looking pair of wheels - i much prefer the look of the more narrow blade depth on carbon spokes. great weight too considering not eking out every saving for a weight weenie build.

Cheers — I was aiming for a proper performance / weight-weenie build.

I could’ve gone all-in with one of the ~230g 20/20 spoke hubs and dropped from a 425g rim to something like 395g, which would’ve put the wheelset around the 1100g mark.
But I already had the DFS 55/55 and R2 built up with 3.2mm spokes, and honestly, the wheels have been excellent so far — stiffness is really solid.

I did consider going up to 3.8/4mm spokes on that setup, but after riding them, there’s just no need. Because of that, I stuck with a similar approach on the 65s, and with 24 spokes in the rear you obviously get the stiffeness with the slimmer spokes

I’m currently out in Mallorca riding the 55/55 DFS setup, and they’ve been great on the climbs — really responsive.

I went with the R2 hub mainly for its ability to balance spoke tension and improve lateral stiffness, but I won’t lie — the aesthetics played a part too. They’re a seriously good-looking set of hubs.

Will be interesting to see what my mate Ryan thinks once they arrive and get built up.

I know it’s a fairly standard open-mould profile, and realistically most places could source something similar if you spec the same hub. You do pay a bit extra for that, but even so, at around £800 delivered, it’s hard to argue with the value.

The only thing is I’m riding 28mm tyres on the 55s but I’m definitely going to move to a 30/30mm and 30/32mm set up once the tyres need replacing same with the 65s as I already have a set for the build

[Sander2177]

Cheers — I was aiming for a proper performance / weight-weenie build.

I could’ve gone all-in with one of the ~230g 20/20 spoke hubs and dropped from a 425g rim to something like 395g, which would’ve put the wheelset around the 1100g mark but the wheels also need to be stable and to light and the front wheel would probably flap about if it got to windy.

But I already had the DFS 55/55 and R2 built up with 3.2mm spokes, and honestly, the wheels have been excellent so far — stiffness is really solid.

I did consider going up to 3.8/4mm spokes on that setup, but after riding them, there’s just no need. Because of that, I stuck with a similar approach on the 65s, and with 24 spokes in the rear you obviously get the stiffeness with the slimmer spokes

I’m currently out in Mallorca riding the 55/55 DFS setup, and they’ve been great on the climbs — really responsive.

I went with the R2 hub mainly for its ability to balance spoke tension and improve lateral stiffness, but I won’t lie — the aesthetics played a part too. They’re a seriously good-looking set of hubs.

Will be interesting to see what my mate Ryan thinks once they arrive and get built up.

I know it’s a fairly standard open-mould profile, and realistically most places could source something similar if you spec the same hub. You do pay a bit extra for that, but even so, at around £800 delivered, it’s hard to argue with the value.

The only thing is I’m riding 28mm tyres on the 55s but I’m definitely going to move to a 30/30mm and 30/32mm set up once the tyres need replacing same with the 65s as I already have a set for the build