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review

Halo Aerotrack wheelset

8
£185.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Great value, ultra dependable fixed/single-speed hoops
Weight: 
2,023g
Contact: 
www.isondistribution.co.uk

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With super smooth hubs and superb lateral stiffness, Halo’s Aerotrack wheels are undeniably fine, bombproof wheels for daily road and/or winter service but weighing 993g and 1030g (front and rear respectively) you wouldn't put them on a lithe track or TT mount.

The garish neon green and black colour scheme topped off with pink 25mm courier rubber is certainly eye-catching and a touch out of place aboard my 1950’s Road Path bike but those with more conservative tastes will be pleased to note they come in a choice of three alternative colours. Our test pair featured powder-coated rims that are de rigeur amongst the brakeless fraternity and distributors Ison confirmed my suspicion that regular pad contact would result in the ultra durable coating eventually flaking or peeling.

To some extent pairing them with a mid range side-pull misses the point but it's a necessary evil when testing on public roads. In this context, the sidewalls were passable braking surfaces in the dry and positively scary in the wet. Lloyd at Ison suggested a tendency for road riders to opt for the marginally shallower machined front rims and full colour rear. This is fine so long as you're not tempted to flip the wheel round to take advantage of the freewheel side.

On the subject of hubs, these large flange solid axle beauties are amongst the smoothest and best sealed of the 120mm spaced track variants I’ve come across – especially at the affordable end of the market – and would probably stand up to a bit of off-season single-speed cross or grass track if the mood took you. The trade off for their rugged charm and durability that shrugs at poorly surfaced roads and lanes is slightly ponderous climbing. There’s no doubt the Areotracks are a fantastic off the peg wheelset but those desperate to blast along would be better served by buying a set of hubs and lacing them to lighter hoops

Verdict

Great value, ultra dependable but hefty fixed/single-speed wheels.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Halo Aerotrack wheelset

Size tested: 120mm

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Aerotracks are an ultra dependable street fixed/singlespeed wheelset that come in two forms- painted for deciples of the brakeless fixer faith and machined sidewalls for those using them with stoppers.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Deep section aero rims laced to large flange track/single speed(flip-flop) rear hubs 32 holes. Machined or in this case Powder coated rims.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10

A bit hefty but the emphasis is upon strength and dependability.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Weight tells on longer climbs.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

£185 pair is very good value given the components and build quality.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall the Aerotracks are very well suited to the hurdy gurdy of city riding with stout, moderate section rims and very smooth, yet serviceable hubs that should stand up to winter's wrath much better than most track units. Not the quickest I've used but they deliver a magestic, magic carpet ride through city streets and lumpy lanes alike. Not my choice for TT or track meets but early signs suggest they'd entertain a bit of cross with suitable rubber.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Smooth, sexy hubs and an equally smooth dependable ride.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Hefty and painted sidewalls not the best on public roads: I would've preferred a machined front rim. However, the garish colour scheme grew on me!

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, depending on their riding style

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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