Superstar DHX Wheelset – First Look

We’ve had some Superstar DHX Wheels on our new DMR Bolt build for a couple of weeks now. They are crazy cheap but does cheap mean low quality?

In a word – no. Certainly not as far as this wheelset is concerned. The expectation was certainly just cheap and cheerful but what we got was far from it.

Firstly the service from Superstar is pretty amazing and it’s worth mentioning that Superstar didn’t come to us and ask us to test these wheels, we wanted to run them so we approached them. From the day they were ordered they took approximately 20 hours to arrive on our doorstep in a very neat and well thought out wheel box with the wheels well secured inside. Beyond that we realised we’d ordered the wrong rear axle size (schoolboy error). A quick email, an almost immediate reply and a new correctly sized replacement axle was on its way to us. Impressive and it was explained to us that many customers order the wrong sized axles so they are always prepared for the inevitable panic induced phone call or email.

The wheels themselves look fantastic, far superior than the £129.99 price tag would ever indicate. The wheelset utilise the DHX rim which is manufactured for Superstar and are designed to be value conscious and durable. Superstar admit that they aren’t the lightest on the market but they will withstand some hefty abuse. On visual inspection they are certainly burly and look like they can take a beating. A nice understated graphic on the rim only further cement the quality look of the wheelset.

They are equipped with Switch EVO hubs with the rear being a 32 hole full cartridge bearing, sealed hub with 27 points of engagement. The hubs again look burly and have that proper ‘Downhill Hub’ look to them. The neatest feature of the rear hub however is its adaptability. They will fit pretty much any axle size going and is supplied with the adaptors of your choice (as long as you choose the right one of course!). Additional adaptors can be purchased to convert the hub to QR, 10mm, 12mm and Syntace X12. Switching the adaptor couldn’t be easier – simply use two 17mm cone spanners to slide out axle and insert new adaptor. Job done!

Likewise the front hub is fully adaptable to QR, 9mm, 15mm or 20mm by simply pulling off the end caps and pushing in new ones. Can’t be much more simple than that.

Superstar are clearly aware of customers requirements and offer a full support package to their wheelset buyers including 2 years warranty, a crash replacement discount scheme and a very cool lifetime free truing service which is where the very well designed box comes in handy. Pop them back in the box, tape it up, send them off to Superstar and Boom! wheels re-trued and sent straight back to you.

Initial runs on the wheels have been good so far. Throwing a fair old amount of rock gardens, drops and flat landings at them have provided no dramas whatsoever. Still running sweet.
The fact is that at just under £130 these are an absolute bargain. The price tag does no justice to the quality of this wheelset and the adaptability and extra after sales service make this more than a worthy consideration for your hard earned. £130 doesn’t get you much these days, certainly not in the mountain bike world, but a full Downhill wheelset can be yours for exactly that.

We’re going to get lots of time in on these wheels and we’ll have a full review coming soon.

Superstar DHX Wheelset
Prices from £129.99
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/dhx-wheelset.htm