We caught an earlier pic from one of their designers that showed some interesting numbers and new nomenclature. Now we’ve got answers with the official debut of the all-new Industry Nine Trail Wheels and Torch Hubs.
The new Torch hubs drop significant weight over the originals (used for their XC, Enduro and Classic wheels) and provide a single hub set for all wheel options, from XC to DH. The rear hub comes in about 100g lighter and the front hub ranges from 10g to 55g lighter depending on model. Together, you could save up to 160g on a set according to their product manager. You’ll have the option of 24 or 32 holes, and they’ll work with every current axle standard.
The wheels get two build options, both using all-new alloy rims from Industry Nine, with either 24 or 32 spokes per wheel. All three wheel sizes are represented, too.
Click on through for full tech details, specs and pics…
INDUSTRY NINE TORCH HUBS
The new Torch hubs really seem to have kept what was great about their hubs and improved the rest. They keep the tight 3º of engagement and 120 points of contact in the drive system, but changes were made to reduce drag:
“We went to a slightly shallower tooth profile on the drive ring, and we went from three teeth per pawl to two teeth and changed the angle that they cantilever at, all of which reduced drag,” said Jacob McGahey, I9’s product manager. “But the biggest thing we did to reduce drag was relocate the large bearing between the freehub body and the hubshell. We went to a more traditional design where everything rolls on smaller bearings directly between them and the axle. This removes any unnecessary interaction between the hubshell and the freehub body during coasting. Then we switched to a face-contact silicone lip seal to keep it all clean. Before the freehub body and larger bearing acted as the seal.”
The freehub will be easily removable for cleaning, and the pawls and springs are captured so they won’t get lost.
Visually, the hub shells will be a little leaner, particularly the rear. Where the old rear hub tapered larger on the drive side to accommodate the larger bearing there, it’s now much thinner overall and tapers slightly in the other direction, giving the non-drive flange a bit more diameter. The 24-hole design gets a 2:1 flange count, and the 32-hole hubs are even on both sides.
The front hubs roll on two sealed cartridge bearings, and the rear hubs get four bearings.
Another big change is that now one hub will fit all 135mm-to-142mm (rear) and QR/9mm-thru/15mm/20mmx110 (front) axle standards just by changing end caps. All of them roll on oversized, butted 20mm/17mm axles. The Rear will come in two platforms, a 24 hole 2:1 and 32 hole 1:1, and the 32 hole will come in a standard width (QR, 10×135, 12×135, and 12×142 compatible) and a wider shell for 12×150 and 12×157.
They’ll be available with standard 9/10 speed freehub bodies and an XD1 driver body for SRAM’s XX1 group.
Claimed hub weights are:
- Front 24 – 132 to 140g
- Rear 24 – 255 to 268g
- Front 32 – 142 to 150g
- Rear 32 – 265 to 278g
For those wanting to build up their own wheels with standard spokes, the new Torch Classic hubs have all the same features (axle options, tight engagement, freehub or XD1, etc.) but with angled J-bend spoke flanges. Spoke count options are 28 and 32 hole.
Weights for these are 248g to 268g for the rear and 150g to 155g front. Weight ranges based on axle choices and bearing type – ceramic bearings are offered as an upgrade. Base price is $575 for the pair ($385 rear, $190 front).
INDUSTRY NINE TRAIL WHEELS
The new Trail Wheels all use the new Torch hubs and a I9 designed tubeless ready alloy rim with 28mm outer/23.4mm inner width. The rim will be available in black or silver and offered in two versions: Trail and Trail 24.
The Trail gets 32 spokes and will be available in 26″ and 29er only. The Trail 24 has 24 spokes per wheel and will come in 26″, 27.5″ and 29er.
McGahey: “The 24-spoke Trail wheels are designed as everyday trail wheels for aggressive riding, but more under smoother riders. For riders that have more aggressive terrain or are harder on their equipment, the 32 hole spoke version will be slightly stiffer but provide a bit more peace of mind for long, backcountry rides.”
Claimed weights and specs for the Trail 24 are:
- 26” – Front 650 grams/rear 770 – 1420 grams/set
- 27.5” – front 670 grams/rear 790 grams – 1460 grams/set
- 29er – front 700 grams/rear 820 grams – 1520 grams/set
- Rim Weights – 385 grams (26″), 400 grams (27.5″), and 430 grams (29er)
- Rear Spokes – drive side 2.9/2.7mm butted, non drive 2.9mm
- Front Spokes – disc side 2.9/2.7mm, non disc 2.9mm
- Rider Weight Limit – 200lb / 91kg
- Retail – $1,150
…and the Trail wheel weights and specs are:
- 26” – Front 685 grams/rear 805 – 1490 grams/set
- 29er – front 740 grams/rear 860 grams – 1600 grams/set
- Spokes: 2.9/2.7mm butted
- Rider Weight Limit – 220lb / 100kg
- Retail – $1,170
Both wheels offer plenty of options:
- Stock Colors – All red or all black hubs/spokes with black or silver rims
- Custom Colors – Silver, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Green (Upcharges apply)
- Custom Lacing options – Mix and match spoke colors for a true custom look (Upcharges apply)
- Other – XD1 Driver body for SRAM XX1 type cassette. Lefty and Singlespeed* hubs. Hybrid Ceramic bearings* * Upcharges apply
“We’re in full production building stock wheels for both Trail 24 and Trail for direct sales and to fill shop and distributor orders,” said McGahey. “We’ll be shipping wheels this coming week, and custom orders should be about three weeks out.”
He also mentioned that they have Stan’s NoTubes rims and the new Reynolds carbon 29er rims in stock in various drilling options should you want something a bit more custom. Oh, and I9 is already teasing future developments on the Torch hub platform…
