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review
Quick releases & skewers
Pro-Lite Brunico skewersPro-Lite Brunico skewers

Pro-Lite Brunico skewers

6
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 9, 2009

1
£79.99

VERDICT:

6
10
cosmetically stunning skewers, but they're pricy and need a strong hand
Weight: 
92g
Contact: 
www.pro-lite.net
How we test

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These Brunico skewers are a good quality, nice-looking set that'll complement a posh wheelset well. Testing their claims of universal compatibility, I’ve paired them with eighteen- year old Campagnolo road and modern Shimano MTB hubs with no discernable problems.

Titanium rods not only keep the weight low but are phenomenally strong and resistant to corrosion, overcoming the problems of stretching that can occur with other metals. However, a liberal application of ti-prep or similar compound is recommended to safeguard against chemical seizure-especially paired with cross or mtb wheelsets.

However, while superbly tactile, the lacquered 3Kcarbon weave closures are an exposed cam design involving a curved plastic washer pressing against the toothed washer which in turn grips the dropout. This demands greater force to achieve the same security as traditional, enclosed designs- for this reason they wouldn’t be my choice for anything other than a modern frameset with vertical ends and lawyers lips.

Similarly, our test pair has shown greater susceptibility to grit and other muck, requiring more frequent cleaning and lubrication to maintain a smooth action. On the plus side there’s ample length to accommodate rear triangles ranging from 126 to 135mm wide and they posed no problems when paired with suspension forks.

The Brunico are undeniably beautiful skewers that add the finishing touch to an exotic wheelset but they’re expensive in comparison with pure ti variants and time triallists or those seeking to purge every last gram from their bikes will be arguably better served by Allen key stub designs.

Verdict

Pricey, if cosmetically stunning skewers adding the finishing touch to money’s no object road wheels.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Pro-Lite Brunico skewers

Size tested: n/a

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 Brunico are lightweight titanium/carbon fibre quick release skewers designed to complement top-end road wheelsets.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

3K carbon weave exposed cam design, titanium rods 43g front 45 rear.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

What you'd expect for the asking price.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

43g front, 45 rear

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performance is excellent with either road or mtb spacing and road or mtb hubs. However, grip wasn't comparable with closed cam designs on older frames with horizontal drop-outs and plain fork ends. Time triallists and those seeking to purge every last gram should look to stub-type designs.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Has the exotica factor and look superb on any decent quality wheelset.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

They're pricey relative to some competition and some would reason they're only worthwhile on a featherweight build or wheelset.

Did you enjoy using the product? In the main, yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? In certain circumstances

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Ti skewers
Skewer
Pro Lite
Brunico
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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1 comments

Avatar
Barry Fry-up | 15 years ago
0 likes

if it's light skewers you want, you need to try these guys:

http://www.heylight.de/produkte/schnellspanner.htm

21g!!!

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