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NOX debuts new wide, rim brake S36R carbon clincher for road & cross

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NOX_S36R_carbon-clincher_rim-brake_road-gravel-cyclocross-rim_brake-track
images courtesy of NOX

We were teased of several new full carbon clincher rims from Tennessee-based NOX Composites last spring, and it looks like now the last road versions have made it through production and is ready to head out to customers. The new S36R is being touted as a premium, do-it-all carbon road race clincher targeting reduced rolling resistance, reduced drag, better braking, and more stiffness. The new rim’s designation means it is symmetric, 36mm deep, and rim brake only, and at that depth sits on the shallow end of medium depth all-purpose road wheels. They follow up on the similar shaped A36D rims that have been out since the start of last summer. Check out the full details after the break…

NOX_S36R_carbon-clincher_rim-brake_road-gravel-cyclocross-rim_white-decals NOX_S36R_carbon-clincher_rim-brake_road-gravel-cyclocross-rim_bead

As part of the new trend of wide rims for fat tires for road, gravel, and cyclocross riding, the S36R gets a big 20.5mm internal width (28mm external) with NOX’s fully-molded bead hook. This width is also NOX’s driver for lower rolling resistance, spreading out the tire for less energy lost in tire casing deformation while riding. Additionally to make them roll even faster, they are compatible with being set up tubeless with rim tape.

From an aero standpoint, NOX calls the rim a tapered parabola, which gets its widest point mid way through its depth (not at the brake track), much like the familiar Firecrest rims. This NOX says is proven to offer the “best compromise of aerodynamics and excellent cross wind performance.”

For better braking the S36R uses “world-class, friction impregnated resins” which essentially amounts to mixing an abrasive into the resin that permeates the 3K weave brake track, so the rims end up with embedded extra friction that cannot just wear off over time. NOX says stiffness is their specialty, and this rim is built to last. It is also why NOX offers this premium rim with drilling for more spokes than often seen in rim-brake carbon wheels, as they like to work with customers to select spoke type, count, and lacing tailored to each rider’s weight and riding style.

The rim, available now, comes in at about 410g, is available in 20, 24, 28 & 32 hole drilling, and retails for $480 a piece (the same pricing as the A36D.) Complete road wheel builds start at $1430 with about a two week lead time

NoxComposites.com

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago

“As part of the new trend of wide rims for fat tires for road, gravel, and cyclocross riding”. Seems like in ill-timed release for a rim brake carbon rim, while the industry is in the middle of a paradigm shift to disc brakes for that target market. Looks like a nice rim but a few years too late.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

What perils will a rider face if they build these “rim brake only” rims to a disc hub?

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago

Never mind, I see the A36D. Nice stuff. Has me thinking of another Tennessee rim co, why Pacenti never got into carbon?

UtahNOW
8 years ago

Yeah, 100% BS. The wheel can handle being locked out at a very high speed. A skidding tire won’t put that much torque on the wheel unless you’ve got a 3″ wide road tire that won’t skid.

sad
sad
8 years ago

@Veganpotter they usually say the strain of the disc on the hub/spokes to the rim is too big.
it’s bull though. 99.9% of the strain is on the hub (it’s rather obvious since hubs accept nearly zero deformation). then again it doesn’t help me trusting the engineering when the argument is brought up.. specially on 2k to 3k unknown wheelsets, that aren’t better than lightbycles and others.. :/

Corky
Corky
8 years ago

Tubeless?….. I guess not as it isn’t mentioned…….if not then yeah epic fail.

Pit
Pit
8 years ago

Nice, these rims are a tad lighter than 202 clincher rims. I think that 28mm is gonna be tight on a lot of road frames.

Tony Brand
8 years ago

AWESOME! Been looking forward to these for some time now. I absolutely love my NOX Skyline rims built up on absoluteBLACK BlackDiamond hubs with Sapim Super Spokes…came in at 1336gr. Stiff, light and wider…no compromise.

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

I’m sure they are nice, but $480 nice? I’ve used Chinese rims with some success, and they go for about $175. I could see these at $300 or $350 if there is a real company standing behind them.

PsiSquared
PsiSquared
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Note that not all Chinese rims are the same. I’m guessing that Nox is standing behind these wheels.

UtahNOW
8 years ago
Reply to  PsiSquared

Definitely not all the same but also, probably not worth what they’re asking either. I honestly think the $175 rims are probably cheaper than they should be(making a relatively small amount per rim but making money on volume). No way in hell that there’s 3x the cost/labor going into these. Of course, you’ve got other expenses but they should never add up to such a difference. I can imagine a $1300 retail rim from US produced ENVE is more reasonable in terms of fair cost/labor/profit ratios than these guys. Of course, most people can’t pay that

JayFrance
JayFrance
8 years ago
Reply to  UtahNOW

Your comment is ignorant to the current world situation. Labor rates for quality produced chinese and taiwanese carbon products are not cheap… you seem to imagine these products made by kids in sweat shops at $0.01 an hour. Fact is, skilled labor is well-paid and well-treated and they are using state of the art materials (I believe these guys use Toray fiber) at state of the art facilities. Thinking a product is worth 2-3x more simply because it is made in the US is ignorant given labor rates are really not that different any more. If this was the case, why are all of Enve’s other components priced high when they aren’t made in the US? The answer is there is more to the story like QC, engineering, testing, product support and a host of other things required to bring a good product to market.

Myke
Myke
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom

@Tom is that really a serious well thought out comment?

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

@Myke with the funky spelling – it is what it is. Carbon rims are becoming a commodity business. Unless a mfg can produce a product with a truly unique competency, I’m personally not willing to shell out 3 times as much for a competing product. Heat is not what kills my rims, it’s potholes/impact damage. Assuming the rims cost twice as much factoring QC, construction materials/time etc, a 40% markup on a commodity product is more than I am willing to bear. You obviously feel different, so enjoy them.

tandellcycling
8 years ago

interested in A36D CX carbon rims with asymmetric profile

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