Nukeproof are quickly becoming the kings of sensible, long-lasting kit, so what does Andi make of the Nukeproof Horizon V2 wheelset?
What are they?
They’re wheels and they give your bike something to roll on. It’s quite amazing in fact, that bikes are such simple machines and simply removing any one item would make one impossible or highly dangerous to ride. Then again for this same reason investing in the right products can really make a major difference to your bike, and wheels are perhaps one of the best areas to see a marked change in performance when swapping them out.
Nukeproof have been making wheels, or at least hubs, for as long as I can remember, and this set of Horizon wheels is the 2nd generation model. The V2 actually refers to the new rear hub design which comes with an improved 102 points of engagement meaning a satisfying buzz and faster pawl engagement while accelerating and putting the power down. A 142mm hub can be converted to 135mm QR while a 148mm HG/XD hub can be converted to 141mm by simply changing the end caps. There are also caps and conversions for 157mm wide wheels too.
The rims are made of a special alloy blend known only to Nukeproof and feature a 30mm internal rim width (35mm external). Each wheel is laced up with 32 spokes using easy to source J bend spokes in a simple 3 x lacing pattern.
Both 27.5in and 29in wheel options are available and wheels come pretaped and supplied with valves so that you can quickly run them without tubes.
What are they for?
With a 30mm internal rim width, 32 spokes and alloy construction it’s clear that Nukeproof isn’t looking at the XC market for the Horizon V2. If you’re up on your hub spacings then you’ll notice that the Horizon V2 is aimed at the more rugged side of the market sporting hubs that will happily slide into downhill frames, enduro rigs, trail bikes, or even ‘downcountry’ machines.
I’ve been testing the wheelset out on my Pole Taival using an optional Shimano HG freehub so that I can also test the 10-speed Microshift Advent X drivetrain. There is also SRAM XD and Microspline options available too.
What are the features?
While these alloy wheels might not be quite as flashy as a pair of carbon wheels, they are packed with well thought out features that are sure to impress most mountain bikers.
In addition to the various hub spacing and adapters and the updated 102 points of engagement, the Nukeproof Horizon V2 come with Enduro ABEC 5 bearings for smooth running and longer life between service intervals. Preventing mud and grime from getting at those silky smooth bearings are high-quality LLU/LLB seals that offer a greater interface fit to form a better seal. To my immense pleasure, the hubs on the Horizon use 6 standard bolts to keep hold of the discs, plus the hubs have been passed through the CNC machine a little longer to reduce weight.
The alloy blend while as secret as the KFC recipe is said to offer similar strength to 7-series alloy but be as ductile as 6-series, offering a neat balance of stiffness, weight and strength.
While not really a feature of the wheels themselves, I am very happy to see that Nukeproof clearly lists spoke lengths on its website. It might not seem like much but there are other wheel manufacturers who make this information extremely difficult to find, and I’m happy that Nukeproof has done their best to make it accessible.
Any problems?
Not a single problem. They’ve spent all their time on my Pole Taival, a surprisingly capable and speedy bike even through rock gardens. I’m pleased to report that not only are the Nukeproof Horizon V2 wheels still round and true but the spoke tension hasn’t been an issue either. The rims have taken a bashing but I’ve not dented them yet and the hubs are actually spinning more freely today than they were out of the box (an actual benefit of the 85% grease covering the Enduro bearings offer).
Unsurprisingly the hubs are very well sealed against the elements, and the updated freehub is exceptionally fast to engage.
If I was pressed to comment negatively about the Horizon V2 in any way it would be their weight. Although they are lighter than the original V1 wheels thanks to the additional hub machining, my 29er wheelset weighs in at 1995g, not super lightweight, but then again they’re not meant for weight weenies. I personally much prefer a slight weight penalty and reliable rims than a wheelset that would turn to a Pringle after every hit.
Will you keep using them?
They’ll live on with the Pole, but I do have other wheels to test in the meantime. I don’t expect to encounter any issues from these excellent hoops. Another amazing product from the Nukeproof folks.
What I love
- Well made, no fuss, strong.
- Tape and valves fitted out of the box.
- Affordable.
What I would change
- Perhaps a little lighter.
- Where’s the purple option?
- Errrmmmm.
Review Info
| Brand: | Nukeproof |
| Product: | Horizon V2 |
| From: | Nukeproof |
| Price: | £399.98 |
| Tested: | by Andi Sykes for 2 months |
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Have you got a set of vernier to check the swage of the spokes?