Miche X-Press – Hjul för racer- och bancyklar

With an asking price around the £200 mark, Miche's Xpress are a very worthy wheelset for mid to upper end road fixer builds. They might lack the outright rigidity of a deep section aero rim but machined sidewalls and super smooth CNC machined hubs complete with sealed cartridge bearings mean they'll laugh at the grottier months- they're good enough to double as track hoops too. Smart, contemporary graphics might clash with classic builds and draw unwanted attention to bikes locked for long periods in and around slum neighbourhoods but they're pretty much perfect for general road duties.

Emerging from the box, the Xpress extrude trademark Italian flair-luxurious, deep anodising seemingly nonchalant subjected to the witches' brew of salt, grit and general road slime whereas the large flange hubs not only look gorgeous but deliver a responsive yet surprisingly forgiving ride over most surfaces. Double fixed will certainly warm a purists' heart, allowing a choice of ratios at the flip of a wheel but Miche also cater for the flip/flop fraternity. As you'd expect, machining is to very high standards and with a lick of lube, most sprockets breeze along the threads effortlessly but a generous application of marine grease is advisable to prevent potential seizing of alloy and Cro-moly offerings.

Traditional 122mm spacing means they'll slot straight aboard Road Path/track frames but necessitates axle replacement on conversions and/or those with 135mm rear triangles. Thirty-two spokes laced two cross might lack the out and out zip of radial patterns but arguably strikes the best compromise between performance and reliability-the rims will even entertain 32mm rubber. Build quality has been tested by distressingly frequent encounter with pothole infested roads but I'm pleased to report no loss of tension or hint of the dreaded wobble, reinforcing increasingly positive feedback from the dispatch mob.

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?The Xpress are predominantly a road fixer wheelset, capable of track and TT duties with a choice between large flange, sealed double fixed or flip flop hubs and five anodized sidewall colours to suit most tastes and frame livery.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?32 hole mid section rims with machined sidewalls laced two cross to CNC machined,sealed double fixed cartridge bearing hubs. Entertains tyres up to 32mm wide.
Rate the product for quality of construction: 8/10
Rate the product for performance: 8/10
Rate the product for durability: 8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable: 7/10 - 943g front 1,120g rear
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable: 8/10
Rate the product for value: 8/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose:The Xpress certainly live up to their name, striking just the right balance between performance and reliability- quick on the uptake but strong enough for mean, pot-holed city streets. Throughout several weeks mid winter riding ours have laughed at the cocktail of salt, slime and pot-holes run with 700x24 tyres. Large hub flanges look great and contribute to a friskier ride-especially on the climbs, although there seems a slight trade-off in terms of comfort on longer commutes.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product:Great looks and excellent build quality makes for an extremely proficient one-does-all wheelset.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product:Nothing, only the rims are just a fraction narrow should you feel the calling of fixed/singlespeed cross and 700x35c rubber.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

A fine pair of road fixer wheels with a moderate price tag .
road.cc test report