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Halo Vapour 50 650b wheelset


Halo’s Vapour range has literally expanded for 2016, with broad 35mm and plus-size 50mm versions now on the menu.

The 45mm internal width of the latter rims makes them proper tyre fatteners for riders after a squarer profile and maximum width from their ‘plus’ tyres, rather than just trying to squeeze fatter rubber into a 29er. They convert to tubeless easily with Gorilla Tape and Schwalbe valves, and you can get tyres on and off without levers if you’re patient. They’ll even bang into place with a high-volume track pump and stay inflated first time, unlike some ‘plus’ wheels we’ve tried. Burp resistance is good right down to lower teen pressures and we’ve had no dings despite feeling the rim multiple times on rocky trails.

The asymmetric tensioned, double butted spokes have stayed tight and even. The 12-degree engagement of the proven 6Drive hubs helps liven up the feel of the average-for-size-and-price 2,540g (1,190/1,350g) weight and you can spec them with even faster Supa Drive hubs. Either way they’re swappable between QR/15/20mm front and QR/12mm rear, in standard width or Boost versions.

Really well built, tubeless friendly, tyre fattening plus-size trail wheels at a reasonable price

Price 450$

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