Their Matchstix Axle tool system may have stolen the show, but Industry Nine had plenty of other products that were new, even since we saw them at Euro Bike. The biggest news (no pun intended), had to be the addition of their first plus size wheelset named the Backcountry 450. Purpose built for what they consider to be the optimum size for performance plus size riding, Industry Nine also had new options for trail, fat bikes, Cyclocross, and more…
Built using a foreign sourced aluminum rim designed to their specifications, the BC 450 measures 45 mm internal/49 mm external. To be available in 27.5 and 29 inch options, the rim features a narrow bead channel with an aggressive ramp to make seating tubeless + size tires as easy as normal mountain bike tires. Created as a true plus size rim, recommended tire size is from 2.8-3.5 inches. Weight is claimed to be 600/ 640g per rim (27.5/29″) and 1950/ 2025g for a complete wheel build with Industry Nine Boost compatible hubs and aluminum spokes. Complete wheel sets will start shipping in three months for $1255 in standard colors.
For even bigger news, check out the newest fat bike wheels from i9. Finally getting the green light from HED, i9 will be shipping 100mm wide B.F.D. carbon rims built to their fat bike hubs with aluminum spokes. The wheels will run $2850 and are a month out from delivery.
While not a completely new wheel, the Trail 245 uses a wider rim that features what i9 is calling their Second Generation Tubeless. The 24.5 mm internally wide rim features wider bead seats by 1-2mm and a 0.5mm shorter bead wall for improved tire performance. The rims also use a thicker, tapered bead wall for better dent resistance.
Going forward, i9 will be offering RockShox Torque Cap compatible end caps for front hubs. The end caps simply increase the surface area between the hub and the fork interface which supposedly increases front end stiffness.
Representing the company’s latest option for cyclocross, the Pillar Carbon Ultra Light CX is easily one of the lightest tubeless disc brake specific cross wheel sets on the market at 1280g. Meant for 33mm tires and up, the carbon rims have a 24 mm internal width. Pricing and availability TBD.
Finally, it seems no high-end wheelset is complete these days without color matched decals. Industry Nine is joining the party with a custom decal program with colors to match all of their standard spoke colors. Consumers will be free to mix-and-match or choose whatever standard colors they want for an additional $50 per wheel set.
