Weight without skewers 1,596g / Supplied with skewers
Contact: www.extrauk.co.uk

Easton is a relative newcomer to the wheel market and its wheelsets are already gaining popularity. In-keeping with most high-end race wheels, Easton uses double-butted straight-pull spokes, albeit with a twist: instead of having a head in line with the spoke, Easton’s straight-pull spokes are threaded at both ends and screw directly into the hub flange. A small drop of Loctite is applied at the hub end, so the spokes won’t spin when you attack them with a spoke key. Overall spoke tension is excellent and no doubt accounts for Easton’s very positive ride characteristics. They are, however, slightly harsher than the Mavic and XTR wheels.
Like Mavic, Easton has opted for a rim with narrow internal width, as it’s a good way to save weight. At 18mm it’s slightly wider than Mavic’s offering, so there is no problem running a 2.2in tyre. It is this measurement that determines the base width of your tyre, so if you want to use a fatter tyre you really want a rim with a 19mm internal width or wider.
To preload the cartridge bearings, Easton uses a small spring situated between the axle end cap and bearing. We initially thought that it may be the springs that were affecting bearing smoothness, but when we removed them the bearings felt exactly the same. We should stress it’s not that the hub bearings are rough, they just aren’t as silky smooth as some.
Freehub engagement is one of the fastest on test, and the three sets of double pawls — secured by a spring clip — are pretty much industry standard, so you know that they will be reliable and easy to service. Interestingly, the XC One front hub is the only one on test not to have knurled end-caps — we’re not sure why this is the case but we had no problems with the front wheel slipping, as the supplied Easton skewers held everything in place without complaint.
Our only concern with the Easton XC One wheels is bearing longevity — not only are the cartridge bearings small, the sealing isn’t great and the bearings aren’t super smooth from new. That said, the XC Ones are fast rolling, the freehub pick-up is quick, and they have proved to be very strong.

MBR RATING: 9/10