Scrub Alloy Trail Wheelset Review

These Scrub Alloy Trail wheels from one-man-band UK outfit Scrub are what I’d actually spend my own money on.

• Price: £350.00
• From: scrubwheels.com

What’s the phrase…? ‘Do as I say, not as I do’? That’s definitely the case with these wheels. Meaning, I’m guilty of espousing the virtues of spending money on wheels over spending money on anything else on your bike. And in a way, my espousings are true. Great wheels really do have a big effect on your ride.

But would I spend a significant amount of money on wheels myself? Nope. No way. Why? Because there’s no way you can protect them from unexpected damage. I’ve dinged and dented every single (rear) wheel I’ve ever had (if I’ve had it for more than a few months). £1,500 wheels: dented. £700 wheels: dented. £300 wheels: dented. I’m spotting a theme here.

And yes, I have dented the rear wheel of these Scrubs too. Maybe I should have been running an aforementioned CushCore insert at the time – doh! Thankfully the dent was straightenable and the rim still works as tubeless just fine (touch wood).

These Alloy Trail wheels from one-man-band UK outfit Scrub are what I’d actually spend my own money on. There’s nothing weird or proprietary about them. They can be quickly, easily and affordably swapped to any of the freehub types required (XD, HG, MicroSpline). They weigh under 2kg (this set came in at 1,860g). I can get spare spokes for them if one breaks. I can even do an old-fashioned (why has this become old-fashioned by the way?) rim swap should I need a new rim lacing up to a perfectly still-good hub.

The pickup engagement is fine. The freehub noise is fine. The tubeless valves work fine. The aesthetic is inoffensive and goes with anything. The bearings are still running nicely. There’s just not a whole lot ‘wrong’ with wheels like these Scrub Alloy Trail wheels apart from the fact that they aren’t as light as more expensive ones.

This product features in our Daytrippin Kit Essentials buyer’s guide

Review Info

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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