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@Sumo
I have been riding a pair of Espresso wheels for a couple of weeks now. Giving them back tomorrow.
First impressions were good. The paint was good quality, apart from inside the rim where it was a bit patchy, they spun true and looked decent.
Weight wise, the front felt very slightly heavier than my Omega Mach 1 on formula hub and the rear felt very slightly heavier than my H+Son on formula hub, but not enough difference to notice when on the bike.
The rear came with a sprocket and a freehub, both 16 tooth. I didn't use either, because I ride fixed on 18 tooth. So I can't really comment on them but they looked alright.
I tensioned up some of the spokes to make them even all round, but I understand Mr. Caramel Cycles is getting someone to hand tension his wheels before selling them now. I rode through lots of pot holes, off and up curbs etc. and they have stayed in true pretty well. Only the front has moved about 1 mm around one of the spokes but that's probably because I didn't tension it well enough.
I did notice some of the nipples seemed very slightly different sizes, not really enough to cause a problem, my spoke key still fit them all, but I guess it comes with the price.
After 2 weeks of riding they hardly look touched apart from a bit of grease from my chain. The paint hasn't scratched at all. I can't comment on the braking surface as I don't use them.
The Quando hubs feel a bit grindy if you hold the wheel in your hand and spin it, but it wasn't noticeable on the bike and they didn't feel like they got any worse over the 2 weeks.
Overall I am very impressed, for under £100 for a new set of wheels, they are the business. They look good on my bike, and that's what really matters. I'm not a massive fan of the Espresso Logo but that's just being picky. O yeah, and the logo is directly opposite the valve hole so you can find it easily, nice touch. If I was building up a bike on a budget and wanted deep section wheels these would be my first choice.
(The reason the front wheel isn't on my bike in the photo's is because I got a puncture on it today, sucks.)
Front
Rear
Hub