The Easton Havoc UST 26 is a hardcore wheelset that blurs the lines between downhill performance and – at 805g for the front and 1,050g for the rear – trail/enduro weight.
We fitted our 26in set with 150mm rear hub (which can be converted to 12x157mm) to a downhill test rig and got hammering.
At more than 500g lighter than the stock wheels, the drop in weight was immediately noticeable and made the bike feel much quicker. Coupled with the snap of the virtually silent freehub, the low weight results in great pick-up and acceleration. The 23mm internal rim width delivers a decent tyre profile too and we love the look of the chunky CNC’d hubs with their proprietary internally/externally laced spokes.
The wheels feel incredibly stiff laterally, especially when squaring off turns or tackling technical high lines on cambered root sections.
After several months of use, including muddy winter uplifts, granite rock gardens and (whisper it) power hosing, the Havocs have come up straight as a die with only a couple of predictable sidewall dings offering testament to their abuse.
The improved sealing on the rear hub seems to be holding up well so far too. They’re also available in 27.5in or with a 10x135mm/12x142mm rear hub.
These are World Cup winning wheels and that comes at a price, and that’s really our only sticking point with the Havocs. You have to look past a lot of high performing wheels at lower prices.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.