Wheels may not come to mind when you think Ibis, but with their new options that may soon change. Adding a whopping 6 new rims to their line up, Ibis will now have 9 different models to choose from with carbon and aluminum options. Not only are there new rim widths available, but Ibis’ 741 and 941 rims also get a boost in strength with new 742 and 942 options. All together, you’ll have a lot more options if you’re building up a new Ibis or if you’re just looking for a set of stand alone wheels…
Even though you’ll still find the 741 and 941 wheels in the line up, the 742 and 942 wheels are the new wide top dogs in the range. Still technically 41/35mm outer/inner width, the ‘2’ in the name denotes the new, stronger rim. Using a new hybrid carbon fiber layup with the addition of a high strength carbon/epoxy prepreg layer, the rims should have a new level of impact strength especially when combined with their 5mm offset rim design. Ibis claims the carbon tech with the rim design and 19.5mm section height makes a rim that is better able to deal with localized impacts (rocks, hard landings, etc.). Essentially, the rim is stronger without adding weight. Specifically, it’s actually lighter with a 7.5% decrease in weight but 30% increase in strength. Combined with the new Industry Nine hubs, the 742/942 are up to 104g lighter than the previous 741/941 (1630g/1690g vs 1734g/1768g). The addition of the Industry 9 hubs also adds a Centerlock option for their wheels with all of the new I9 builds running Centerlock with Enduro bearings with Shimano or SRAM XD free hubs and I9’s 60t, 6 pawl free hub design. Why would anyone stick with the previous 741/941 wheels? Now there is a significant savings to be had with the new wheels selling for $1799 while the previous models now sell for $1099.
Completely new to the carbon options are the 735/935 wheels. Basically just narrower versions of the new 742/942 wheels, the 735/935 are 35mm/29mm wide externally/internally and also make use of the new spoke offset but in 2.5mm rather than the 5mm of the wider rims. The narrower rims also still use the new carbon tech for improved impact strength over the 741/941 just in a size that matches the weight of their 928 carbon rims. All of the new carbon wheels are tubeless ready and built with Sapim CX-Ray spokes, and Industry 9 centerlock hubs with Enduro bearings and Boost 110/148mm spacing only.
Ibis is also taking the opportunity to launch a line of aluminum wheels with their 738/938 models. Offering the same 35mm inner width as the 741/742/941/942 wheels, the aluminum rims have a narrower external width at 38mm but the same 19.5mm section height and 5mm spoke offset. Built with the same Taiwanese made Ibis hubs with a 36t, 4 pawl free hub system as the original 741/941 wheels, and Pillar DB 14/15 spokes the wheels are the budget option of the spread at just $549 per set. The trade off obviously comes from the wheelset weights of 1880/1935g (27.5/29″).
We know we just threw a ton of numbers at you, so for a wheel by wheel break down, check out the chart above (click to enlarge). Note that while all of the new wheels are only offered in Boost 110/148 spacing, Ibis says if there is enough demand 100/142 builds may be an option. All of the wheels will be available starting May 1st.
