Zen Carbon Wheels Xiamen

[Rshackleford]

Dear All,

I have been lurking on the forum for a few months and have really appreciated the insights and reviews provided. I’m currently hesitating between Zen and XMCS for a set of wheels with CX rays. Zara has been very easy to communicate via Instagram. Currently looking at 45mm with 24 internals.

I have two questions that I haven’t found answers here or on WW:
1) How is the build quality of Zen (trueness, spoke tension, etc)?
2) Does anyone have any experience with the H Works SR261 hub? Seems almost too good to be true.

Thank you!

[Cyclinglondon]

Hi all!
After having some glorious conversations with Sander, I took the plunge and ordered a set of Zen.
I went lightweight, 50/50 with a 5mm carbon spoke. Zara advised there is a tiny weight penalty for the hub colour but it’s by the by.
They took around 6 weeks to arrive but I wasn’t counting……lol

Anyway, they came yesterday.
Quality is great, packaging was very very nice. Came with spare spokes, tubeless tape and tubeless valves.

Weight is 1219g which I think is very respectable.
They run fine with the included 36t ratchet.
I did try putting in a 54t but for some reason the cassette won’t spin with them. The facial drag between the ratchets must be too high or the spring rate must be too much. So I put the 36t back in. It’s fine anyway. I was just looking to make them obnoxious.

I’m hoping to get out this week for a spin.
My only gripe is also that now seeing the gloss….i should have done that. But I’m now thinking…..another set?

[Sander2177]

Dear All,

I have been lurking on the forum for a few months and have really appreciated the insights and reviews provided. I’m currently hesitating between Zen and XMCS for a set of wheels with CX rays. Zara has been very easy to communicate via Instagram. Currently looking at 45mm with 24 internals.

I have two questions that I haven’t found answers here or on WW:
1) How is the build quality of Zen (trueness, spoke tension, etc)?
2) Does anyone have any experience with the H Works SR261 hub? Seems almost too good to be true.

Thank you!


) How is the build quality of Zen (trueness, spoke tension, etc)?                                                                                                                                                                                                       I don't check spoke tension I just order my wheels and ride them never had an issue if your goanna check tension may as well just build your own wheels. Wheels are true not much more to say!
2) Does anyone have any experience with the H Works SR261 hub? Seems almost too good to be true.                                                                                                                                  Yes two of my wheelset have H-Works GOOD quality hubs.  SR261 too good to be true what do you mean?

[Cape_Kirk]

...just ordered a 60/60 wheel set with SR261, with cx-rays in paintless glossy...looking forward to put the wheels on my bike

[Sander2177]

...just ordered a 60/60 wheel set with SR261, with cx-rays in paintless glossy...lokking forward to put the wheels on my bike

Gone steel nice nice!

[ScotAm123]

Hi all!
After having some glorious conversations with Sander, I took the plunge and ordered a set of Zen.
I went lightweight, 50/50 with a 5mm carbon spoke. Zara advised there is a tiny weight penalty for the hub colour but it’s by the by.
They took around 6 weeks to arrive but I wasn’t counting……lol

Anyway, they came yesterday.
Quality is great, packaging was very very nice. Came with spare spokes, tubeless tape and tubeless valves.

Weight is 1219g which I think is very respectable.
They run fine with the included 36t ratchet.
I did try putting in a 54t but for some reason the cassette won’t spin with them. The facial drag between the ratchets must be too high or the spring rate must be too much. So I put the 36t back in. It’s fine anyway. I was just looking to make them obnoxious.

I’m hoping to get out this week for a spin.
My only gripe is also that now seeing the gloss….i should have done that. But I’m now thinking…..another set?

How much were they incl shipping tot the UK ?

[Sander2177]

How much were they incl shipping tot the UK ?

If they were
ultralights system limit 90kgs  1309g  USD $542.80 shipping and taxes to UK $100
Superlight system limit 100-110kg 1389g $522.80
Lightweight system limit 135kg 1469g  $50280

shipping and taxes to UK $100
Im in UK shipping is 10-15 days mine to 10days

[Sander2177]

Quick weight-weenie update on the Zenwheels: I picked these up initially as climbing wheels (40mm front, 45mm rear), but after a few rides, they’ve proven brilliant for blustery UK weather. Had gusts up to 25 mph today, and they handled really well.

[iamdanielbike]

No, I don’t think a 1000g wheelset is worryingly light at all — there are wheelsets out there that come in at 650–750g, so it’s not unheard of. When I made my decision, I did put some thought into it. I’m around 75kg on a good day, and if you’ve read the thread, you’ll know my front wheel has a 90kg rider weight limit. So I went ultralight on the front.
For the rear, I could’ve gone with a 90kg limit too, but I chose a wheel rated for 100–110kg to give myself a bit more margin. That’s in line with other respected brands like CRW (Craft Racing Works), which also have 100kg rider limits — and I’ve used those wheels before without any issues.
Yes, in hand they feel light, but if you’re going to ride a wheel with a 90kg rider limit, you just need to be mindful of how and where you’re using it., I’ve also got another set of 60/65 mm wheels with a 90kg rider limit that weigh around 1230g, and I’ve been riding them for months with no problems and I'm in the UK where we are not exactly know for our smooth roads 

So if you're someone considering going down the ultralight route with 90kg rider weight limit wheels, you really need to think about how you're going to use them. Personally, I wouldn’t use a wheel with that limit for anything other than road riding. I know some people use them on gravel, and some are even sold as gravel-capable — but if I were going to run a 90kg limit wheel on gravel, I’d want to be around 65kg myself.
If you're looking for something super lightweight but still robust, brands like XM CarbonSpeed are worth checking out. They use T1100 carbon in their lightweight wheels, which is rare — most brands stick to T1000. And despite being lightweight, many of XM’s wheels have a 120kg rider weight limit, which says a lot about their engineering.
So yeah, it really depends on the brand, the materials used, and how well the wheels are designed. Just make sure the specs match your riding style and weight.

Thanks so much for the quick explainer. If they work for you, they'll sure work for me as my max has been around 68 kg at 166 cm tall. My wife is the same weight but taller at 175 cm. I'm investigating parts for a two all-around builds for both of us, based on the Spcycle SP-R088.

[Sander2177]

Thanks so much for the quick explainer. If they work for you, they'll sure work for me as my max has been around 68 kg at 166 cm tall. My wife is the same weight but taller at 175 cm. I'm investigating parts for a two all-around builds for both of us, based on the Spcycle SP-R088.

That’s ok Ultralights wheels are great for certain senarios and uses but if your doing every day riding I would consider Superlight instead 100-110kg limits and the weight penalty is 80grams.
But if you live in a country with lovely smooth roads then great! Unfortunately I don’t 🤣 the UK is rough as f@ck 🤣

[Sander2177]

Just ordered a set of 45/45 winter wheels for here in the UK yesterday — posted in the Winter Trading Wheels thread because I wanted some feedback and ideas before deciding.

Specs:
   •   Front/Rear: 45mm
   •   Rim internal widths: Front 31mm / Rear 24mm
   •   Rear asymmetric: 32/25mm
   •   Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray
   •   Nipples: Brass
   •   Hubs: H-Works SR 318 Gravel — was going for Ti Grey but now opted for silver with TPI steel bearings (LBLU sealed)
   •   Finish: UD Paintfree Gloss

I also ordered a set of 40/45 climbing wheels to replace the ones I originally bought but sold yesterday to a guy who was desperate for climbing wheels — which actually works out well!

After seeing someone here with the UD Paintless Gloss finish, I got a bit of wheel envy 🤣, so I’m going with that finish too. And I’m also choosing silver hubs this time, rather than my usual black.U

[Cyclinglondon]

Wanted to give an update on these wheels thus far.
Had them out for some short and a couple of longer rides (100km+).
Absolutely no complaints.
Stiff, responsive, minimal to no flex.
I've had them over 70kph and they are absolutely rock solid and stable.
I've also sprinted on them with some decent watts and again, fully stable.

I got PR's up the hills without even really putting in an effort which honestly surprised me too.
Gusty day at the weekend and didn't have any noticeable push from the sides.

All in all, really really impressed for the price.
Only thing I wish I had done was glossy.
But they still look great.

All I can do now is wait, ride them more and see how they go long term!

[kubackje]

Wanted to give an update on these wheels thus far.
Had them out for some short and a couple of longer rides (100km+).
Absolutely no complaints.
Stiff, responsive, minimal to no flex.
I've had them over 70kph and they are absolutely rock solid and stable.
I've also sprinted on them with some decent watts and again, fully stable.

I got PR's up the hills without even really putting in an effort which honestly surprised me too.
Gusty day at the weekend and didn't have any noticeable push from the sides.

All in all, really really impressed for the price.
Only thing I wish I had done was glossy.
But they still look great.

All I can do now is wait, ride them more and see how they go long term!

Give us some photos 😁

[DavidG]

Update here today. Done now maybe 1k km with them and happy with them so far. Very light and stiff but not mad stiff.
However, something which I feel these wheels don't do great is crosswinds. They seem to catch it more than any other wheelset which I have ever ridden.

Hopefully bearings last! I'll put them away now for the winter as I don't think they could do great hete in Ireland :-)

[Cyclinglondon]

Update here today. Done now maybe 1k km with them and happy with them so far. Very light and stiff but not mad stiff.
However, something which I feel these wheels don't do great is crosswinds. They seem to catch it more than any other wheelset which I have ever ridden.

Hopefully bearings last! I'll put them away now for the winter as I don't think they could do great hete in Ireland :-)

Interesting! I have done maybe 500km on mine now and compared to my set of Hunt wheels (50mm as well) I find the Zen much better in the crosswind. Even with a wide carbon spoke.
Mind are also stiff but not to cause any discomfort. Its only having moved from the Hunts to the Zen that I now realise how much flex the old wheels had.
But mine have been rock solid so far. Really stable decending too.