Review: TUNE TSR 35

The original Review by Veloderoute, has been translated to English.

Tune and the wheels ... a specialist business TUNE TSR 35: the aluminum clincher tubeless ready non-disc version Tune is a German company well known to our readers (you can read about our visit to the Black Forest), which has earned its fame through its ultralight components. And among its flagship products, the hubs have always held a prime place! Over time they pushed back the weight limits, and despite their "exotic" status they could seduce the most demanding... even winning a few mountain stages on the Tour De France! On the quest for the lightest wheels, Tune has previously associated their hubs with ultra-light rims, notably from other German artisan carbon specialists. Over time, Tune has also gained extensive expertise in the wheel building however. The wheels are hand-assembled in Germany by their in-house expert wheel builders assisted by high-precision measuring devices. Attention, this is not the good old spoke tension meter found in home-workshops, but a specifically developed workstation, controlled by a powerful computer, which ensures a build quality, to our knowledge, second to none.

Not the kind of wheel building setup find at your bike shop ... In recent years, Tune’s wheel offerings has increased, including offering custom wheel build combinations, yet both fast (delivery of custom wheels within a few weeks), highest wheelbuild quality, and also excellent value for money. In addition to the lightest hubs and the lightest carbon rims, a large variety of wheels are now on offer to cover all uses and budgets. TSR35: dream spec at a great price point! For our test, we received the latest TSR35, a pair of wheels that brings together all that you could currently want from an aluminium clincher wheelset! First of all, a very low price (815 €), we will come back to it, but above all beautiful TUNE hubs, Sapim CX-ray spokes (simply the best). Best of all, is that even if these wheels are in the catalog as presented here, however, they are assembled to order and as a result you can order your very own variation if you desire so (color selection of hubs, spokes, different axle standards, freewheel standard, tubeless preparation)

With a weight of 1499 grams, the TSR35 compete with the carbon competition.

On paper, the main attraction is the particularly innovative rim, since it offers characteristics generally reserved for carbon (aerodynamics and full black look), while preserving the big advantages of aluminium (braking performance, internal width, lower price point). At 35mm the rim offers a "high" profile (for aluminium), and wide internal width of 20mm (24 external), a black durable double anodised finish, and they are also tubeless ready. The rims have discreet black on black anodised tune logos which are a nice understated touch. The weight of the rim is 480 grams, about 30 grams more than the average of the “light weight” low profile aluminium rims, but is largely "compensated" by the famous hubs Mig70 (70 grams) and Mag170 (170 grams). Despite their impressive low weight, these hubs are considered “the wise-choice” at Tune, the culmination of many years R&D. At the same time a little lighter than the previous generation, they are reported to also be much more reliable. Combined with CX-ray bladed spokes, Tune achieves a final weight of 1499 grams (on our scales) ... just under the symbolic 1500 gram mark

At 170 grams the rear hub, the Mag170 remains the references for any light weight wheel build! Road test Wrapped in Continental GP5000, the TSR35 did not disappoint us ... even surprised us for their value

The internal width of 20mm makes a difference: on the TSR35's the GP5000 25's ... are 28mm

Even if the final overall weight is rather "in the norm" of high-end wheels, the initial impressions are very pleasing. The acceleration is very good, and the stability in line with the latest generation of "modern" wheels (19mm internal and more). The hubs are very smooth, and the freewheel is much quieter than most so-called exotic hubs. In short, we were already sold on the first kilometers of riding these wheels. On the flat, the wheels maintain their speed well. The slight increase in weight over same height of equivalent carbon rims provides a small increase of inertia, which is sensible and useful in this context. Tested on a stormy day, the TSR35's held themselves quite well through gusts of wind. The rim profile is somewhere between a "V" and u "U", the TSR35 clearly do not provide quite the same performance of a true "U" profile when the winds are swirling and / or sideways ... however come headwind or tailwind, it is difficult to differentiate the aerodynamic gap between the two architectures

A profile somewhere between the old "V" and the new "U" ...

On the climbs there were no complaints. For this weight, the performances is quite respectable. We do not take-off, but the low number of spokes (20/24) is effective, and notably the wheels remain light footed. Even if the strong calves will find a certain laziness on climbs (especially when out of the saddle), the wheels scored applause. Overall, everything they release in dynamism is in favor of versatility, a character trait that will make them suitable for a variety of bikes. Downhill... it's a revelation. While accelerating, holding cornering speed, gyroscopic stability... yes! But especially while braking! Not because it's aluminium, but because it's one of the best braking surfaces we've ever tested. The finish of the braking surface (machined and anodised after shot peening) offers a touch-at-once, very frank and progressive feel. The test was performed with the Swiss Stop BXP brake pads (supplied with the wheels), and offers such outstanding performance as we have not often experienced before. Unfortunately, the beautiful black anodising, which adds to the unique aesthetics of these wheels, seems to mark under braking over time. Time will tell the ability of the double anodising treatment to resist brake surface wear.

The machining of the flanks, yet discreet, provides particularly powerful braking. Obviously incomparable to carbon, but even above average for aluminum rimed wheels!

Compared to… It is always difficult to decide when buying a set of wheels, even if in this case, the budget makes them very competitive. Of course, if we had to compare them to two immediate alternatives, we would consider the following two cases: Compared to a 35mm carbon wheel, one gains especially in braking performance, but also in internal width. The weight is equivalent. However, we lose a little stability in side winds. Compared to low profile aluminium rimed wheels, we also gain in braking performance (because this braking track is really out of category), we add 30-40 grams weight per wheel, but we improve significantly the performance on flat ground. In short, we win especially in versatility.

Conclusion These TSR35 wheels have serious advantages. They are incredibly versatile wheels, and can be used for all riding situations. Their price, especially given the quality of the hubs, spokes and build, is particularly attractive. If they don't have any weak points, they have in any case, two very big strong points: the braking, and the expert wheel building of Tune, hand-made in Germany. In a nutshell: an ideal set of road wheels for those who want just one set of wheels.