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Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Black Flag Pro SL 29 and Charger Pro SL 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

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Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

What could be better than Sun Ringle’s current line of wheels? Even lighter version of Sun Ringle’s wheels, of course. Specifically, the new Pro SL variant which is being offered on both 26″ and 29″ options on both the Black Flag XC wheelset, and the Charger AM wheelset. We’ve been told that 27.5″ options are in the pipeline as well.

This latest line of wheels from Sun Ringle combines the proven durability of their previous wheels with new rims, spokes, and some tweaks of the hub to make them even lighter, stronger, and more stiff. We received a pair of Black Flag Pro SL 29s and Charger Pro SL 26s to put through the ringer, in order to make sure the reduction in weight hasn’t reduced any durability. How much weight reduction? Continue on to find out.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Take the wheels out of the box, and it’s clear why Sun Ringle wheels may be one of the best bargains going – inside you will find everything short of a pump that you would need to set up the wheels. Wheelsets are shipped with adapters for nearly ever axle standard with QR, 15mm, and 20mm thru axle for the front hub, and 135mm QR and 142×12 thru axle caps for the rear. If you choose to run the quick release options, skewers are also included.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Due to the fact that Sun Ringle licenses Stan’s tubeless technology and rim design, the rims come pre-taped with Stan’s rim tape, and in the box you will find tubeless valve stems and two bottles of Stan’s sealant. To cap it all off, 4 spokes and 4 nipples are included should you need to make any repairs. All of this means that you just have to open the box and you’re pretty much ready to go, no need to order additional parts just to make the wheels fit your current bike.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Shown from left to right are the different axle adapters included with the wheels – 20mm thru axle ft, 15mm thru axle ft, QR ft, QR rr, 142×12 rr. Our wheelsets didn’t include instructions for the hub adapters, so if you need a reference the top row is the left or non-drive side adapter, and the bottom row is the right, drive-side adapter.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

All of the front wheel adapter utilize o-rings to stay in place with the exception of the 20mm adapter. Shown on the top two photos, the adapters sit in the hub shell and then the two rings that are included are press fit into the hub shell holding the adapter in place. Ours had an extremely tight fit, so make sure you have everything oriented properly before installing. The bottom two photos show a 15mm thru axle being installed with the simple o-ring fitment.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

The rear hub however, uses a thread on cap for the drive side with a press fit cap on the non drive side. To swap them out, first remove the non-drive cap by giving it a tug with your hands, and then unscrew the drive-side cap. To do this you will need to keep the axle from turning – which is why the non-drive axle face has a slot in it. On the Chargers though, the bond between the drive-side cap and the blue Loctite was strong enough that I had to use an axle vice to gently clamp the axle in place and keep it from turning – worth noting so you don’t chew up the axle trying to get it undone. The QR cap will use a 5mm allen wrench, and you will need a 17mm cone wrench for the 142×12 cap.

Inside you will find the new freehub body that provides 50% faster engagement than the standard Black Flag and Charger wheels. There are 4 pawls with , each with a dedicated, captured spring.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

In order to reduce the weight as much as possible, the hubs has been machined down in order to accept straight pull bladed spokes and remove every unnecessary gram.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Reducing weight was definitely important with the Pro SL line, but it wasn’t at the expense of performance. Between the straight pull, bladed Wheelsmith spokes, and rims constructed from stronger alloys with a taller profile, Sun Ringle says the new wheels are lighter, stronger, better, faster. The SL versions’ rims are 1mm narrower than the previous options making the Black Flag rim 23mm and the Charger rim 27mm.

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

About those weights, you’re looking at 1631g for the set of Black Flag Pro SL 29s, and 1570g for the Charger Pro SL 26s with valve cores installed – meaning both wheelsets came in under Sun Ringle’s claimed weights. If the durability claims turn out to be true, these wheels are looking pretty good for under a grand ($899.99 for 26″ models, and $924.99 for 29″ models)

Sun Ringle Lightens Up: Pro SL Black Flag 29 and Charger Pro 26 Wheels Unboxed, Weighed

If you’re really concerned about weight, we have the small parts covered for you too. Stay tuned as we put Sun Ringle’s newest wheels through the paces.

 

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jose
jose
11 years ago

nice wheels, I am using for racing training this hops and they are amazing!

Sardininan Rider
Sardininan Rider
11 years ago

Black Flag Pro 29er best wheels ever owned. Abused them with rough trails and drops and they’re still true like day one. So,the 3 pawls hub is already a pain in the @ss to lock back in,I can only imagine this one with 4. Great wheels,just make sure to strip away all those gawdy stickers for a total stealth look.

mtbrider
mtbrider
11 years ago

The title is incorrect. Those are the Charger Pro SL wheels, not the Pro model.

Greg
Greg
11 years ago

Does anyone know the Pro SL’s 29er rider weight limit?

Lusus
Lusus
11 years ago

How about an XX1 conversion?

Rob
Rob
10 years ago

I love my BF Pro 29s. Stay straight for light weight, but my God the hubs, man do they roll smooth! So, now you can get a wider inner rim width by going to the Charger SL29 from the older BF Pro, and not gain any rotational weight…..awesome.

Chris Walker
Chris Walker
10 years ago

Anybody having problems with the Black Flag Pro SLs? I was very excited to build up my niner with this recently released 2013 wheelset by Sun Ringle (Hayes) and they don’t seem to be as strong as their spec says. By my second ride on flowing single track XC trails I had twisted spokes and out-of-true wheels. No hard hits, etc. Weird. Customer service denied any problems. Is anyone seeing the same?

Ben
Ben
10 years ago

Chris – I had the same issue with my standard Charger Pro’s when I bought them last fall. About 30 miles of riding and the rear unscrewed a spoke along with several others working loose. After I had my LBS due a true and tension on them I haven’t had an issue since. They seem to need to be tuned up after the first couple of rides and then they are set.

Kevin
Kevin
10 years ago

Does anyone know if the graphics on these new Charger SL’s are stickers like the older models, or are they painted on now?

Lusus
Lusus
10 years ago

painted graphics on the Charger PRO SL. How about that XX1 driver????

Tom in Utah
Tom in Utah
10 years ago

Thanks so much for this post! It saved me a lot of trouble with the 12×142 installation.

dan
dan
9 years ago

looking to get a set for my remedy 9 build. any one have some good miles on these rims? haven’t been able to find any long distance reviews! looking at running the black flag 27.5 15qr 142x12qr.

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