Syncros Silverton SL and 1.0 s: High-end wheels from Syncros in a test duel
Peter Nilges
· 13.04.2023
When it comes to crucial seconds in cross-country and marathon races, there is no way around wheels with carbon rims. And even for use in rough terrain, well-designed carbon wheels are superior to most aluminium counterparts, as our Tests in BIKE 7/20 have proven. In downhill and enduro use, however, many professionals still opt for aluminium. The reasons for this are better emergency running properties in the event of a really extreme overload and the lower, more forgiving stiffness.
Of course, the price also plays a decisive role for the paying customer. Because the production of carbon rims requires a great deal of expertise and manual labour, the prices for the high-end parts are correspondingly high. The cheapest carbon wheels start at around 1200 euros. However, there are hardly any upper limits for the number one tuning part. The Silverton SL wheels from Syncros cost an incredible 4799 euros, with rims, spokes and hub housings made from a one-piece carbon composite. To find out what these absolute high-end wheels can do, we tested them against the Silverton 1.0-s wheel with conventional steel spokes for 2599 euros, also with a carbon rim.
These topics can be found in the test duel of the Syncros Silverton SL and 1.0 s wheels:
Measured values and key data of the Syncros Silverton wheels SL and 1.0 s
Syncros Silverton SL
- Weight: 1260 g (584 g front / 676 g rear)
- Inertia: 753 kg x cm²
- Lateral stiffness: 78 / 67 N/mm (front / rear)
- Inside rim width 30 mm
- Price: 4799 Euro
Structure: Carbon rims with closed rim base and 20 single-crossed carbon spokes each. Carbon hub shell with aluminium sleeve and DT Swiss 240s innards.
Special features: The carbon rims have no spoke holes and are therefore tubeless-compatible without rim tape. The hub shell, rim and spokes are laminated in one piece and are inseparable. No spoke can come loose, which means that the spoke frame remains service-free. In the event of a defect, however, individual parts cannot be replaced.
Syncros Silverton 1.0 s
- Weight: 1341 g (630 g front / 711 g rear)
- Inertia: 807 kg x cm²
- Lateral stiffness: 47.5 / 39.5 N/mm (front / rear)
- Inside rim width: 30 mm
- Price: 2599 Euro
Structure: Carbon rims with 28 DT Swiss Aerolite steel blade spokes each, triple-crossed with DT Swiss 240s hubs
Special features: The Syncros Silverton 1.0 s also come with carbon rims that have the same dimensions as those in the expensive SL version. However, the carbon construction of the rims differs from the classic spoking. All individual parts can be replaced in the event of a defect.
Acceleration and weight of the Silverton wheels from Syncros
The use of carbon makes sense where stability and low weight are important. As both wheelsets have an apparently identical carbon rim, we went in search of noticeable differences.
Completely bare, i.e. without tyres, brake discs and cassette, the test wheels lie on our most meticulous measuring instrument in the test laboratory. The "wheel commuter" was originally developed for the optimisation of golf clubs, but is just as helpful and reliable for our bike-specific requirements. The actual inertia of the object fixed on it can be deciphered within seconds. Once deflected and tick, tick, tick, three pendulum movements later, it is clear how easily the wheel can be accelerated. In addition to the weight, the distribution of the mass plays a major role in the rotational acceleration of an impeller. The further away it is from the centre of rotation, i.e. the hub, the more energy is required to set the wheel in motion. Carbon rims therefore not only have a positive effect on inertia due to their low weight, but also due to their position in the wheel far away from the hub.
Our wheel commuter already reacts to the low mass of a rim tape, which also sits far out. Subjective riding impressions can thus be perfectly substantiated and objectified with figures. One reason why we also use this measuring instrument for all complete bike tests, but then together with tyres, cassette and brake discs.
In our high-end duel, the commuter shows 753 kg x cm² for the Silverton SL wheelset and 807 kg x cm² for the conventionally spoked counterpart. Only 7.2 per cent difference, although the SL set is 81 grams lighter. However, because both wheelsets are equipped with a carbon rim of the same dimensions, the weight saving due to the carbon spokes only has a minor effect. Complete, i.e. with the 2.4 Maxxis Recon Race tyres, brake discs and cassette, our measuring instrument shows 3072 kg x cm² for the SL wheelset. This means that the wheels themselves contribute just a quarter of the total acceleration. The lion's share is accounted for by the tyres, which with their comparatively high weight also sit as far out as possible. In practice, one might therefore assume that there should be no noticeable difference. However, the subjective riding impression of all testers is in favour of the expensive, slightly faster SL wheels. Due to the combination of lower inertia and significantly higher stiffness, all testers attested to the SL set's more lively, direct acceleration.
Peter Nilges, Test Manager BIKE Magazine:
The weight of the tyres has a much greater effect on the inertia and handling of a bike than the wheelset. Only those who really want to pull out all the stops should invest in lightweight wheels.
Lightweight wheelsets in comparison
The comfort of carbon wheels compared to aluminium wheels
If we were mountain biking exclusively on smooth tarmac, an extremely high level of stiffness would certainly be an advantage. In reality, however, we bump over roots, stones and other obstacles that transmit impacts to the rider. This leads to fatigue in the long run, which is why a lower stiffness also results in more comfort.
Stiffness and comfort: The practical test of the Syncros Silverton wheels shows it
High wheel stiffness improves steering precision and ensures a crisp acceleration. If it weren't for the issue of comfort. Stiffer does not necessarily mean better.
Our test laboratory is also ideally equipped to test the lateral stiffness of wheels.
During the measurement, a lateral load is applied to the rim and deflects it by using a ten-kilo weight. The front and rear wheels are measured separately and loaded in both directions to the right and left. The measurement provides information about the steering precision of a wheel and its behaviour under any lateral load, such as when pedalling out of the saddle or cornering. While the Syncros Silverton 1.0 s achieves a fairly decent stiffness of 47.5 N/mm on the front wheel and 39.5 N/mm on the rear wheel, the Silverton SL wheelset takes full advantage of the extremely tensile carbon spokes and the one-piece construction. At 78 and 67 N/mm respectively, the stiffness is 64 per cent higher on the front wheel and 70 per cent higher on the rear wheel. This makes the SL wheels from Syncros, for example, more than twice as stiff as the wheelset from 9th Wave with PiRope textile spokes.
But how does this enormous rigidity manifest itself in practice?
As already mentioned in the acceleration section, the Syncros Silverton SL wheels are characterised by a very direct ride feel. Whether sprinting or just pushing on the pump track, the elegant carbon parts convert every little muscle twitch into propulsion without loss. In direct comparison, the conventional Silverton wheels feel noticeably sluggish and slower.
On rough descents, however, the tide turns. Here too, the SL version stands out with its directness and plenty of feedback from the ground. And this despite the fact that the tyres already filter out some of the impacts that hit the rims. Nevertheless, the stiff SL wheels pass on noticeably more shocks to the rider. As a result, the softer wheels are more forgiving overall and therefore more good-natured. Even on rough uphill sections, the 1.0-s wheels give you the feeling that you are riding with slightly less tyre pressure. On long rides, our choice would therefore be clearly in favour of the cheaper wheels because they tire the rider less.
The Scott-Sram MTB racing team led by Nino Schurter also has access to both wheelsets and switches back and forth frequently. "Our team riders have a free choice of wheels and decide depending on the route," explains René Krattinger, Product Manager at Scott. So there is no perfect wheel for every use, at least when it comes to the battle for medals and seconds.
Depending on the MTB discipline, the requirements in terms of wheel stiffness can differ significantly. In the Downhill World Cup, for example, many riders rely on particularly soft spoked wheels that can "snake" through stone fields and root carpets better and absorb as many shocks as possible.
Service friendliness of the Syncros Silverton wheels
The Syncros Silverton SL wheelset is not only much more expensive to buy. It is also expensive in the event of damage.
The one-piece construction of the Silverton SL wheels is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the extremely high stiffness in combination with the low weight can only be realised through the uncompromising construction, on the other hand, the individual components such as spokes or rim ring cannot be replaced in the event of damage. Repair by an expert is also only possible to a limited extent. Syncros therefore offers a crash replacement for first-time owners, with a 50 per cent discount in the first year. With the Silverton 1.0 s, on the other hand, all parts can be replaced as usual at low cost.
Conclusion on the Syncros Silverton wheels test duel by Peter Nilges, BIKE test manager:
The sinfully expensive Silverton SL wheels convey a super direct sports car feeling and stand out with their superb acceleration and extreme stiffness. On long distances and rough descents, however, the unfiltered feedback is tiring. This is where the conventionally constructed Silverton 1.0 s have the edge, as well as in the event of damage if an individual component needs to be replaced. The high price of the SL version is therefore disproportionate to the increase in performance.
