Long-term test of RAR Even 40 rim-brake wheels

While disc brakes have flooded the road market, rim brakes continue to resist, thanks to a few frame, component, and wheel manufacturers, as seen in this review of RAR Even 40 wheels. Offered at a competitive price, they were subjected to a test spanning over 3500 km, alternating rides in all conditions, including mountain rides and a descent of Mont Ventoux, not to mention a few races. Verdict.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: 3bikes.fr

The RAR brand (for Roues ARtisanales, or “Artisanal Wheels”) already boasts a wealth of experience in custom wheel building, having been founded in 2007. At the time, this bespoke market was still in its infancy, whereas today, competition is much fiercer, when it’s not individuals themselves building wheels by separately purchasing rims, spokes, and hubs and assembling everything with a tensiometer.

Building on its past, RAR explains that it aims to select the best in each component making up the wheel and makes it a point of honor to ensure consistency in production, despite human intervention. Throughout the assembly process, the serial numbers of the components are archived, as are the details leading to the finished product (assembly specifications, calibration of measuring devices). So confident in its production, RAR guarantees its wheels for a period of 5 years.

The classic road range starts at €699 for aluminum Tempo wheels and culminates at €3299 for carbon Exalt wheels with ceramic bearings. In between, it’s possible to choose your rim depth from a wide range, from 24 mm up to 90 mm, including 40, 50, and 60 mm, not to mention the disc wheel. Note that the Even 40 wheels are actually 38 mm deep.

Furthermore, RAR offers a custom range allowing for personal options to be chosen when the user’s needs are specific, such as an unusual build and/or power output, a quest for minimal weight, or personalized aesthetics (logos, rim color, spokes, and hubs). Here, regarding dynamic behavior, RAR plays on different parameters such as:

– The rim, for example, the choice of different fibers, stiffer or lighter.

– The number of spokes, between 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 spokes.

– The lacing pattern: radial, 1-cross, 2-cross, 3-cross.

– Spokes of adapted section: more or less rigid or elastic depending on the desired feel.

– Hubs of different design: straight-pull for straight-head spokes, standard flange for J-bend spokes.

– Hubs of different geometry to influence performance

A judiciously priced product

For this test, the Even carbon 40 mm model in tubed/Tubeless and rim brake version was used as a companion for a Specialized S-Works SL6. This rim depth is recommended for its versatility between flat terrain and mountains, for its low sensitivity to crosswinds, which is more suitable for lighter riders, and finally, handling is supposed to be better. The internal width (hook to hook) is 18 mm, while the external width is 25 mm.

The weight of the Even 40 is 1430 g. It should also be noted that the wheels come with rim tape, specific brake pads, valve extenders, quick releases, and good quality wheel bags. Aesthetically, users will certainly praise both the classy look of these wheels, which perfectly “dress up” any bike, and an exemplary finish upon closer inspection.

In terms of price, with the test hubs (RAR First reference), the price is €1399, which remains reasonable given the overall quality of the product. This amount is comparable to – and often lower than – that of major brand wheels. Based on this build, it is possible to significantly upgrade with the luxurious ESO hubs, saving 80 g and offering even superior bearing quality, but the price then rises to €2099.

Finally, as mentioned above, for specific needs, while staying with this rim model, it is possible to opt for a custom build by, for example, adjusting the number of spokes.

On the road, versatility

The very first ride was done using the brake pads – yellow Swisstop pads for carbon rims – already mounted on the bike. Braking was then very disappointing. From the second ride onwards, and with the pads supplied by RAR, braking distances were significantly reduced. Generally speaking, braking was rather good, though certainly aided by Direct Mount calipers, without, of course, reaching the efficiency of a disc system. The very strong decelerations required by the descent of Mont Ventoux on the Malaucène side did not cause any scares or overheating of the rim itself, as is sometimes the case with lower quality tubed rims. For the few rides carried out in the rain, as expected, it is necessary to anticipate braking more to dry the rim over a few meters. Here, the phenomenon is quite spectacular, allowing for good deceleration once the rim is cleared of excess moisture.

In terms of behavior, in the realm of efficiency/versatility ratio, it’s flawless. Whether on straightaways swallowed at high speed or long, very steep climbs during which the bike computer tends to display a single-digit speed, the wheels feel present. Obviously, in both cases and for dedicated use, wheels with 60 mm rims or 24/30 mm tubulars, for example (to save 150 g or more at the periphery), there are more performant options, even within RAR’s own range. But with the rim depth of the test wheels, the user can use just one pair of wheels all year round, without being penalized or having to overthink the route to take or the weather to expect. On this last point, it’s worth noting the very low sensitivity to crosswinds, barely higher than a pair of low-profile aluminum wheels, and probably well aided by the “U” structure and the rim width (25 mm, as a reminder).

The fluidity of the bearings is another source of satisfaction and even improved over the first few hundred kilometers, coinciding with the appearance of the typical freehub body noise – quite normal, of course, but relatively pronounced in this case.

On high-speed descents, the bike remains very stable and easily controllable, and when entering corners, it doesn’t need to be “forced” as is often the case with deep-section rims.

In terms of pure performance, the watchword is again versatility. The RAR Even 40 wheels are sufficiently stiff – and never touch the brake pads – when maximum effort is applied, such as during a sprint or a strong acceleration, but they did not feel sluggish at low speeds using small gears. This certain elasticity, combined with unfailing comfort, will accommodate a wide range of physical conditions. Thus, both racers and touring cyclists can use this pair of wheels to their advantage.

Excellent at all levels

By comparing the performance level of the RAR Even 40 with their price of €1399, the user will be far from ripped off. Comfortable all year round, on all terrains and in all weather conditions, these are the do-it-all wheels. Of course, it is always possible to do even better in terms of weight or aerodynamics or even bearing quality, but this would require either significantly increasing the entry price (including at RAR) or equipping oneself with an additional pair of wheels for specific needs such as use on gently rolling terrain or, conversely, for high mountains.

As they are, this model is certainly an excellent choice for those who do not wish to change wheels according to the type of ride planned, while keeping their budget within reasonable limits.

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