I have been riding the new Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 TLR Carbon Road Wheel Set and first impressions are the wheels perform flawlessly.  The Aeolus Pro 5’s are full carbon, 50mm deep tubeless ready wheels that have the right amount of durability, weight and aerodynamics.

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 TLR Carbon Road Wheelset Review

The Bontrager cycling products are part of Trek’s line of cycling offerings.  Trek purchased Bontrager Cycles back in 1995 and Bontrager continues to be part of the Trek cycling lineup.   The Aeolus Pro5 Carbon Wheelset is Trek’s venture into producing a great asian built carbon wheelset at an affordable price compared to their Bontrager US built carbon wheel designs.  Having the wheels built in Asia rather than the US, allows Trek to offer the wheels at a substantial discount over their US built wheels in the Bontrager Aeolus XXX line.

The Aeolus Pro5 are a proven 50mm-depth shape used in many other aero wheel designs.  Combined with aero spokes, the wheels offer really good aero dynamics and handling.  The front wheel uses an 18 aero bladed spoke design, while the rear uses 24 aero bladed spokes.

For those that like the ability to go tubeless, the Aeolus Pro5 can be run either as a traditional tubed wheel or tubeless (TLR).  For road wheels my preference is to use tubes rather than going tubeless.  If I was racing, I might opt for tubeless, simply because it would make the wheels lighter and presumably faster.

After taking the wheels out on several rides, they perform extremely well.  During climbs and accelerations the Aeolus pro 5 wheelset felt very responsive without loss of power.  When taking turns I felt the wheels tracked really well, providing extra confidence.  As expected crosswinds did make the bike a bit sketchy, but no more than other 50mm rims I have used.

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 Changing Flat Tires

I have been using the Aeolus Pro 5’s now for a few months and in that time have experienced 2 rear flats.  I am using Continental Gator Hardshell 25mm tires and normal tubes with 60mm stems.  I usually run the tires at 90 to 100psi.  I found the tires a bit tough to remove and also a little tough to access the tube.  It’s a pretty tight fit.

Normally when I change a flat I use 2 plastic Pedros tire levers and that seems to work for me, but you do have to use a little bit of strength to remove one side of the tire.  After prying one part of the tire off the rim , the rest of the tire usually comes off rather smoothly.  I found that the space between the tire and the rim where you access the tube is pretty tight.  This is especially true near the tube nozzle.

Replacing the tube is pretty straight forward.  With the Aeolos rims I recommend not pumping up the tube until after you pry back the tire around the rim.  I was able to hand pry the tire back on except for a small area where I needed to use the tire levers.

NOTE: Watch out when prying on the tire that you don’t accidentally pinch the tube.  Otherwise you may have to replace the tube you just put on (YES I HAVE DONE THAT).  Also make sure you’re off in a safe place if possible, away from the road.  One guy here in Austin was killed while changing a flat when a truck hit him.  It was sort of a freak accident, but still had he been further off the road, it might not have happened.

Black Prince Brake Pads

The Aeolus Pro 5 come equipped with Black Prince rim brake pads.  As with any carbon wheelset, you will want carbon specific brake pads.

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 TLR Carbon Road Specifications

How much does the Aeolus Pro 5 Cost?

Front retails for $529.99.  Rear retails for $669.99.

How much does this wheelset weigh?

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 TLR Road Wheel weighs 705g front, and 900g rear.

Is there a weight limit?

Bontrager Carbon wheels do not have a weight limit. Your frame will have a weight limit that you want to base rider weight off of.

How deep are the rims?

The Bontrager wheels have a 50mm depth OCLV Carbon rim (27mm outer, 19.5mm inner width).  

Are the spokes bladed?

YES. The spokes are DT Aerolite spokes and come with Alpina locking nipples.  Bontrager uses stacked lacing alignment to provide a better spoke bracing angle for a stiffer wheel.

Are the Wheels Tubeless?

YES. The wheels can either be setup tubeless or with tubes.

What types of brakes come with the Aeolus Pro 5 wheelset?

Bontrager includes Black Prince carbon pads, which are recommended for carbon wheels.

What is the spoke count and weight for the front/rear wheel?

What kind of warranty is offered on the Aeolus pro 5

All Bontrager wheels come with a 2 year warranty against materials and manufacturing defects for the original owner only.

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 TLR Carbon Road Wheelset Review – Bottom Line

For those looking for a fantastic wheelset for their road bike, the Bontrager Aerolus Pro 5 seems to hit all the right buttons.  It performs really well, is priced much less than many comparable wheels on the market.  With Trek’s exceptional warranty the Aeolus Pro 5’s certainly is worth checking out.

Check out more about the Aeolus Pro 5’s on Trek’s website (https://www.trekbikes.com/)

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