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NAHBS 2015: New HED 24″ fat bike rims have all the width, a little less height

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HED’s rolling out a smaller brother for its fat bike rims, ushering in more options for smaller riders or those that just want a snappier ride.

“I think if fat bikes had not evolved from mountain bikes, they would have started with 24 inch,” said HED’s Andy Tetmeyer. “It provides the same outer diameter as a normal 26″ MTB tire, but has all the flotation and traction of a bigger fat bike tire.”

“The benefit is better handling because the bike’s geometry doesn’t have to be adjusted to accommodate the bigger wheels. Plus, for shorter people, it provides better stand over. That becomes particularly important if you’re stepping off the bike into deep snow.”

They’ll also be lighter. The rims will be about 40g lighter than a 26″ model. And the tires will be lighter, too.

It’s a single wall design, just like their 26″ version. These are handmade prototypes that were riveted together with a carbon plate to hold it together for the show, but production models will be welded. Look for it to go on sale in August or September.

They’ll have a carbon fiber version soon, too.

On all of their fat bike rims, they found washers that are steel with neoprene laminated to the underside, eliminating the need for rim tape to go tubeless. They say it’ll save about 10g, but it’s really more about ease of use.

Got a rim with a flattish bed? They’ll sell a pack of these washers so you can put them on your own wheels, regardless of brand.

HEDcycling.com

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gringo
gringo
9 years ago

Another wheel size. yawn. To his credit though, nowhere in this post does the word ‘standard’ appear, for once…………pretty happy about that.

Charlie Best
Charlie Best
9 years ago

Fat bikes are the new recumbents,

people will argue against this, but inside they will know it’s true, and they’ll die a little.

Sevo
Sevo
9 years ago

Fatty up front and one of these in the back, fat bike 69er. This is going to be fun

Jo-slow
Jo-slow
9 years ago

“I think if fat bikes had not evolved from mountain bikes, they would have started with 24 inch,”

I would have to ride a 24 fatbike to be convinced, but I think that dude is right!

Charlie Best
Charlie Best
9 years ago

Recumbent heritage aside, 24″ fat bikes are not “new” news, Specialized have one in their 2015 range, in fact we’ve sold one through our store already.

On-One bikes have an adult sized 24″ fat bike too I believe.

Mick
Mick
9 years ago

@Charlie Best… The article only states this is a new rim for HED…No where in the article does HED claim to have invented 24″, they only announce that they have a rim to address more aftermarket options in this size… (deleted) and tell your customers that they can now buy HED rims for their 24″ fat bike…

FullFaceKenny
9 years ago

(deleted) I want my quick releases, quill stems, and Bubonic plague back like the good ‘ole days.

Charlie Best
Charlie Best
9 years ago

I understand the content of the srticle thanks Mick, but the all the “all the width, a little less height” could lead people to believe this was a HED innovation, which it aint.

(deleted)

ABW
ABW
9 years ago

McMaster-Carr sells neoprene/stainless sealing washers as well: http://www.mcmaster.com/#94709a111/=w6yjt7

Seems like an elegant way to go tubeless. Anybody have any experience building/riding tubeless using these?

Putin
Putin
9 years ago

Charlie Best is the Best!

MattS
9 years ago

If we look at the way 26″ mtb wheels, then 29, then 27.5 came about, we can see the fat bike format following a similar trajectory. With the outside diameter they have now, they just don’t make sense. Ride height is too high, as anyone riding narrow, packed snow trails will tell you. Bringing the outside diameter down with a smaller rim would also allow for a wider tire for more float. 24 makes sense….we’ll see where it all goes.

Eric
Eric
9 years ago

24″ makes sense if you still subscribe to the 26″ is best school of thought. That’s been disproven time and again, most recently in an extremely scientific and repeatable method by bikeradar.com The *only* thing 26″ is best at is descending large hills.

Drew Diller
9 years ago

@Sevo, I like the way you think.

I think wheel diameter should be a function of a person’s body height and their ability choose to ride whatever they want.

Klunker
Klunker
9 years ago

I’m way too old to change anymore…bought a 29’er when they were the coolest thing and found I enjoyed riding 26″ bikes more.
Bad habits? Could be.
Also bought a Pugsley, and have enjoyed it immensely…as a bushwacking adventure bike.

Have fired up the acetylene torch set my Father willed me, and built a cargo bike. I can see my next project could well be a 24″.

Oh, and those rubber-coated washers: go to a hardware or building center and buy the screws contractors use to hold sheetmetal siding and roofing down. Rescue the washers.

Capriolo
Capriolo
9 years ago

Vee tire lists the 24×4 tire as 694 mm OD; typical 650b tire OD is 698mm. Best not to subscribe to 650b school of thought, either.

Lars
Lars
9 years ago

My LBS tried to get me a set of the neoprene washers and HED said they were no longer using them. Wow that was a fast product cycle.

Fred
Fred
7 years ago

How is using 28 or 32 steel & rubber washers going to save weight vs. just a layer of 1″ tape run over the nipples?

Won’t the rubber compress over time relaxing the spokes to a degree in an inconsistent manner?

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