Easton's new EA90 SL Disc wheels are reasonably light and very wide but also supposedly very tough, making them almost perfectly suited for cyclocross - James Huang / Immediate Media
There's no need for a machined brake track on the EA90 SL Disc wheels so Easton uses a sleek all-black finish on the rims - James Huang / Immediate Media
The rims measure a generous 19.5mm in between the bead hooks, which produces a bigger contact patch and more air volume than traditional rims for better traction and a smoother ride - James Huang / Immediate Media
The rims come pre-taped for tubeless use and the requisite valve stems are included, too - James Huang / Immediate Media
Easton builds the EA90 SL Disc wheels around its long-running M1 hubset. Past bearing issues have supposedly been squelched with the revisions instituted in 2013 - James Huang / Immediate Media
The six-bolt interface precludes the use of some Shimano rotors but allows for bigger bearings - James Huang / Immediate Media
The hubs are easily converted between quick-release and thru-axle fitments - James Huang / Immediate Media
Is wider better when it comes to bicycle rims? Easton certainly thinks so, and its new EA90 SL Disc wheels continue the company’s recent trend toward broader profiles and easy tubeless compatibility.
The new rims measure a modest 27mm in depth but a whopping 19.5mm in between the bead hooks. As compared to more traditional rims – which can be as much as 6.5mm narrower – this spreads out the tire casing and creates more air volume for a smoother ride, better grip, and fewer pinch flats.
There's no need for a machined brake track on the ea90 sl disc wheels so easton uses a sleek all-black finish on the rims: there's no need for a machined brake track on the ea90 sl disc wheels so easton uses a sleek all-black finish on the rims
The wide-profile rims plump out any tire as compared to a more traditionally sized rim
Furthering the fight against flats is the rim’s tubeless compatibility with pre-installed airtight tape and included valve stems. As always, you can run standard tubes if you wish, too.
Those rims are built around Easton’s long-running M1 hubs, which feature oversized bearings and axles, easy conversion between quick-release and thru-axle frame fittings, compatibility with the latest 11-speed cassettes, and common six-bolt disc rotor interfaces. Past bearing durability issues that plagued older M1 hubs have supposedly been solved with the latest revisions – but if you’d still rather build the rims around your own hubs, Easton will also offer the 455g R90 SL Disc rims separately.
Easton builds the ea90 sl disc wheels around its long-running m1 hubset. past bearing issues have supposedly been squelched with the revisions instituted in 2013: easton builds the ea90 sl disc wheels around its long-running m1 hubset. past bearing issues have supposedly been squelched with the revisions instituted in 2013
Easton builds the EA90 SL Disc around its long-running M1 hubset
Actual weight for our test set is 1,562g (689g front, 873g rear, thru-axle, pre-taped with valve stems) – spot-on with the claimed figures. Suggested retail price is $950 / £900 / €1180 / AU$TBC.
