It’s been a pretty busy year for SRAM so far, what with the launch a new Boxxer, the RS-1 and Guide brakes, Debonair Monarchs, Bluto and Rise XX wheels. And it seems there’s still new product to reveal…
Hot on the heels of today’s X1 1×11 trickle down story, SRAM are also releasing the Roam wheelset at two lower price points with the introduction of Roam 40 and Roam 30 wheels. Both wheel sets will see the same technology seen in the more performance orientated Roam 50 and 60 but will feature hubs produced in house. Roam wheels are being marketed as the most versatile wheels in the SRAM range for the widest array of uses and users, think Trail/XC/AM or just riding and will be available in all three wheel sizes.
Roam 40 will be available at £529 a pair, Roam 30 at £378.
Both the Roam 40 and 30 share the same asymmetric aluminium 6061 T6 rim, 21mm internal/25.5mm external, as the Roam 5o with Taper Core™ profile to produce a light but strong design. Similarly both will share the higher end product’s Solo Spoke design, needing one spoke length throughout the wheelset and will use bladed spokes with a tapered thread in the nipple to reduce rotational forces slackening spoke tension over time.
Sharing the same internals as the more expensive X0 hub, Roam 30 and 40 will come supplied with aluminium hubs built in house by SRAM. These have a variable diameter 17mm axle, reinforced directly where force is applied and run on four sealed beings. The sealed Speedball™ bearings are a custom design with different internal and externally facing seals; a contact seal on the outside to resist moisture and dirt penetration, while the inside is simpler design to reduce friction. Time has been taken to design the hubs so that no pre loading of the bearings is necessary. A spacer tube supporting the inner and outer XD drive bearings ensures no pedalling forces are applied to either bearing.
Both 10 speed and XD drive hubs are available.
Roam 40
Roam 40 are supplied with double butted bladed spokes with aluminium nipples used. The Roam 40 hubs have a four pawl ratchet which lows up to 52 points of engagement, at 6.9º. The wheelset comes fully taped and UST certified out of the factory and weighs a claimed 1.615g in 27.5.
Roam 30
Roam 30 has straight gauge spokes and brass nipples.
The rim is sleeved rather than welded and whilst not meeting UST Certified status can be considered Tubeless Ready when used with sealant.
The Roam 30 hubs have a two pawl ratchet allowing 26 points of engagement, at 13.8º.
Weight is a claimed 1,785g a pair in 27.5.