User manual
Equator wheels are assembled from standard components available practically anywhere. Below you will find a detailed description of individual components together with information on how to care for and service the wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should always ask yourself what purpose you are buying the wheels for and what you expect from them.
Tubular wheels are suitable for professional racing use, while clincher and tubeless tyres are better suited for other situations.
If you ride only occasionally and do not race, we recommend clincher wheels which offer high durability, long lifespan and easy maintenance.
If you are a passionate fan of classic road cycling or a racer, we recommend tubular wheels which bring the maximum benefit of low weight, partly thanks to the simpler rim construction.
Tubeless setups are suitable for more comfortable riding both on and off the road, making them a good choice for gravel riding.
Lower rim profiles are lighter, easier to control in crosswinds and suitable for hilly terrain or lighter riders. Higher rim profiles are heavier but offer better aerodynamics, greater stability and stiffness. Thanks to their inertia they maintain speed longer.
Regarding MTB wheels, MTB PRO WIDE are purely racing wheels focused on low weight and stiffness. The MTB WIDE version is designed for everyday riding with an emphasis on durability, longevity and reliability.
Tubular tyres are mainly suitable for racing use or for riders who prefer the traditional setup. They offer excellent riding characteristics, are safer in case of a puncture compared to clinchers and have low weight. The disadvantage remains the need to glue them to the rim, more difficult repair of major punctures in the field and a higher purchase price.
Clincher tyres are heavier, but their advantage is a lower price and simple installation. Tubeless tyres are similarly heavier but provide excellent vibration damping, low rolling resistance and very high puncture resistance – small punctures during a ride often go unnoticed. The downside is more complicated installation. A large puncture can still be repaired by inserting an inner tube.
For MTB wheels we clearly recommend tubeless tyres, which are the industry standard. They allow lower tyre pressure with higher air volume and punctures are significantly less common.
Both tubular and clincher Equator wheels are suitable for tyres with a minimum width of 25 mm. If you want to achieve maximum aerodynamic benefit, the tyre should match the outer width of the rim.
For MTB wheels we recommend tyres with a width of 2.25"–2.4".
On clincher wheels make sure the brake pads are positioned correctly, as indicated by the yellow sticker near the valve hole. The brake pads should be approximately 3 mm below the upper edge of the rim as indicated by the label.
In general (for both tubular and clincher wheels) intermittent braking on long descents is recommended – similar to an ABS braking style. This significantly protects the rim and minimizes mechanical wear or overheating of the rim.
Also regularly check the brake pads (sufficient thickness and cleanliness) and keep the braking surface free of dirt.
Most issues can be solved with advice or recommendation. Before sending your wheel for service, send us an email at info@equator-cycling.com describing the problem (preferably with a photo). We will contact you.
When sending wheels to our service centre it is necessary to include the service protocol (download link below).
All Equator wheels – road, gravel and MTB – use the Centerlock mounting system. Rotors are not included in the package.
Road wheels: front 12 x 100 mm or 15 x 100 mm, rear 12 x 142 mm.
Gravel wheels: front 12 x 100 mm, rear 12 x 142 mm.
MTB wheels: Boost front 110 x 15 mm, Boost rear 148 x 12 mm.
Yes. The rim must be selected from models available on our website. Wheels are then built using DT Swiss spokes and hubs according to your selection.
We ship via DPD / GLS. On the day of shipment you will receive a tracking number and an SMS directly from the carrier with all delivery information.
Shimano HG, Shimano Microspline, SRAM XD, SRAM XDR, Campagnolo
Yes. When tyres are ordered through our e-shop, installation is provided free of charge.
This is completely normal – everyone has a different preference regarding freehub sound. If the sound seems too loud, we recommend adding a small amount of grease inside the freehub. We do not recommend removing grease to make it louder, as it may shorten the lifespan of the freehub body.
Need advice or consultation? Feel free to call us at +420 732 654 969 or email info@equator-cycling.com
Maintenance and Installation
1. Cassette installation
Follow the installation instructions provided by the cassette manufacturer or use a professional service.
2. Installing tubular tyres / mounting clincher tyres
Follow the installation instructions of the tyre manufacturer or use a professional bike service. We recommend TUFO tubular tyres glued using TUFO double-sided tubular tape. Unlike liquid and aggressive adhesives, TUFO tape is gentler on the rim and helps prevent damage or delamination of the carbon surface when removing tubular tyres improperly.
Recommended pressure: according to the manufacturer for tubular tyres, maximum 8 bar for clinchers.
If you receive wheels with tubular tyres already glued (this service is offered free of charge), inflate them immediately after removing them from the shipping box.
3. Installing the wheels into the bike frame
Use the supplied quick-release skewers (included in the service package) or thru-axles supplied with the frame. Professional installation is recommended.
4. Brake pad installation
Use only the supplied brake pads (included in the service package). Using other brake pads may cause irreversible damage to the braking surface. For clincher rims ensure precise alignment of the pads according to the marking on the rim.
5. Maintenance
- Take good care of your wheels. Clean them regularly and remove dirt especially after riding in rain or dusty conditions. Do not spray hubs with high-pressure water.
- Keep the braking surface and brake pads clean. Check brake pads before every ride. Remove any debris, especially sharp particles which could damage the braking surface. If significant wear is detected, replace the pads immediately.
- Regularly check the condition of the hub bearings. After riding in rain or dusty environments have the rotating parts checked and re-greased by a professional service.
- If the wheel shows lateral wobble, have it trued by a professional service.
- If braking is jerky or produces squealing noise, inspect brake pads and rim surface. This is usually caused by debris or residue on the braking surface. It can be removed using fine sandpaper (1000–1500 grit) or the rough side of a kitchen sponge.
- If the rim is structurally damaged (for example cracked after hitting an obstacle), stop riding immediately and contact us.
- During long descents allow the rims to cool by releasing the brakes after each corner. Continuous aggressive braking may cause extreme temperatures and permanent rim damage which is not covered by warranty.
Spare parts and prices
Shipping and handling of 180 CZK must be added to the listed prices.
Brake pads
Use the supplied brake pads designed specifically for our wheels. Using other pads may permanently damage the braking surface.
Our brake pads combine natural cork with PCM rubber (Phase Change Material). The material remains stable under temperature changes – it does not soften or harden – ensuring consistent braking performance in cold weather as well as during long summer descents.
Price per set (2 pcs) including shipping: 299 CZK
Spokes and nipples
Spokes: Sapim CX Ray (Equator disc brake wheels), Sapim Race (Equator rim brake wheels), DT Swiss Aerolite (Equator MTB PRO wheels), DT Swiss Competition (Equator MTB wheels)
Nipples: DT Swiss
Hubs
Road and Gravel wheels use PowerWay hubs, MTB wheels use DT Swiss hubs.
Rim
Tubular rim price: 6 000 CZK
Clincher rim price: 7 500 CZK
MTB / Gravel rim price: 7 700 CZK
Black rim price: 8 700 CZK
Rims are not sold separately – they are available only as service parts for our customers.
Warranty and service
After inspection our service department will contact you with a proposed solution and price.
Wheels must be sent clean. Otherwise a cleaning fee of 200 CZK / pair will be charged.
Warranty conditions
The seller provides a 2-year warranty for structural defects for the first owner. Proof of purchase is required.
Service address
Equinox Europe
Vavrečkova 5657
Building 34 – Areál Svit
760 01 Zlín
Czech Republic
info@equator-cycling.com
