SUNringlé Black Flag Pro Wheel Set Introduction

Posted by FatBob on February 27, 2012

A while back, we tested a set of SUNringlé Charger Expert wheels and found them to be an absolutely excellent bang for the buck wheel set. Since then, we have been busy testing complete bikes, so not many part reviews have come through for us. However, recently, we did test of the $510 Stan’s Crest Wheelset and found them wonderfully light but not as durable as we need in order to give them a thumbs up. To my surprise, we got a bunch of questions and comments from people unhappy with the review. In addition, if we could not endorse the Crests, readers wanted to know where else to look for something similar. What wheels are light, but still up to the task of being ridden by manly men and womanly women day in and day out? Are there light wheels out there we can tell you to trust. The first company I emailed was SUNringlé who quickly delivered a set of Black Flag Pro 29 wheels to our door step.

First off, let’s just get it out there; the $675 SunRinglé Black Flag wheels (1726 grams claimed)are not as light as the $510 Stan’s Crest set (1575 grams claimed). If that 150 grams turns you off, thanks for visiting, and keep saving. I have not seen any wheels as light for the money. My question is: Do you really want to risk durability to save a little weight? The Black Flags are a little heavier and cost a bit more but if they are stiffer, don’t have an overly generous 190 weight limit, and last longer with less headaches – don’t you feel it’s worth the weight penalty and extra money? If you do, read on to the end.

Weight with rim tape and valve core. 960 grams rear

Weight front wheel with valve core and rim tape.880 grams front

The Black Flag wheel set is a XC /Trail wheel set. This means they can be raced in cross country events, marathon events, or ridden on your daily rides in the woods. The Trail label covers a broad range, but seems to have the connotation of finesse, not reckless abandon. If you plan on doing jumps and drops or plowing through rock gardens, look at SUNringlé Charger Pros instead. The Pros carry a 120 gram weight penalty (claimed) and have 4mm wider inner rim diameter, which gives tires a more square profile. For everyone else, the Black Flag wheels seem more appropriate. I do not see any weight limits to the SUNringlé Black Flags, just a usage description.

SUNringlé uses Bead Socket Technology (BST) licensed from Stan’s No Tubes. This system works with most tires on the market other than, from our experience, UST tires (universal standard tubeless), as it seems the beads are too tight to fit on the non UST wheels. BST technology allows you to use lighter tires and convert them to tubeless. The most reliable tires to use with the BST bead hooks are tubeless ready tires. I like both systems; BST and UST both perform well, if executed well.

The wheels come with all the axle end caps you need to covert your front wheel to any axle standards commonly used. It comes with open drop out standard quick release end caps, 15 qr, and 20 mm. The conversion can be done with no tools, if you have good finger strength. If not, check out our short video below. The rear wheel can also be converted to the over-sized axles common on new frames, but the adaptors must be ordered separately.

Also in the box is everything you need to convert to tubeless: Stan’s sealant, yellow rim tape designed to cover and seal the spoke holes, tubeless valve cores, instruction on how to convert the wheels and two quick release axles. This kit is very well equipped, especially for the price we have been seeing online. Around $625.00

The Black Flags come in black and silver or black and black. We have the black and black. They have black rims, black hubs and mostly black spokes with a couple of stylish white spokes. The spoke nipples are anodized red. The hubs are straight pull spokes as opposed to j-bend and the 29er wheels have 28 spokes. The bearings are “high quality” bearings. To be exact they are “Premium EZO Japanese Bearings”. They feel and spin very smoothly. If $675 is not in the budget, check out the Black Flag Experts for $475 a set

Rather then talk about engagement points and hub internals, we want to talk about the ride quality, durability, and overall value. Do you the reader get what you pay for compared to the overall market? Who should buy these wheels, and who should not? Do they perform within their advertised usage? These are the things we will report back on in the review.

As usual, if you have any specific question, please leave them in the comments section.