There’s nothing like flexing for a big occasion, and French boutique wheel manufacturer RAR is letting the industry know they still have it. In its 20th year of business, RAR launched a new hyper-light and tech-heavy design, the RAR AURA wheelset.
RAR AURA Wheelset
The new RAR AURA wheelset is the first ultra-light wheelset built using high-modulus carbon and titanium (you read that right) hybrid spokes. RAR claims the carbon/titanium spokes are narrower and up to 300% stronger than the market’s best stainless-steel spokes. The RAR design team says the carbon/titanium spokes increase wheel performance tenfold.
The new spoke also helps with ride comfort and significantly reducing wheel weight. If this spoke lives up to the hype, it could be a breakthrough, and could be the jumping-off point for stiffer, lighter wheel builds universally.
But it’s not just the spokes that are lightweight.
For the AURA wheels, the updated hub is based on a lighter version of their RAR ESO V2 hubs, the UL+. The new design comes stock with Cycling Ceramic bearings for some extra speed.
What is the Rim?
The new AURA rim uses high-mod carbon fiber and a dual-core rim concept. In this production method, the rim is beefed up in high-impact areas and thinner in others. RAR claims this gives the rim resilience in the face of poor road conditions and a quick spin-up from the lower rotational weight.
The shape is slightly ovalized, and the wheels are offered in a 24mm or 40mm depth. RAR notes that both 24 mm and 40 mm shape designs hug the tire and maintain a very aerodynamic interface, working aerodynamically with the bladed carbon/titanium spokes.
RAR AURA Rim Options
The RAR AURA is available in both tubular and clincher/tubeless versions in two rim depth options:
- 24mm Rim: The climber’s wheel; agile and responsive, built to the mountains while filtering out road buzz.
- 40mm Rim: The all-arounder wheel: fast and dynamic, versatile but still super lightweight considering the 40mm depth.
*Both rim options have a width of 28mm external and 21mm internal rim.
RAR AURA Wheelset Weights and Pricing
- 24mm Tubular Version: 795g/pair
- 24mm Clincher/Tubeless Version: 980g/pair
- 40mm Tubular Version: 920g/pair
- 40mm Clincher/Tubeless Version: 1,050g/pair
- Price: $4,700/4,499€/pair – Free 5-year warranty
Supplied with Padded wheel bags and valve extenders
To purchase or learn more, check out: Roues-rar.fr/en/
