Industry Nine has announced four new carbon wheelsets for mountain biking that conform to the brand’s so-called DUO concept, wherein different rim profiles are assigned to the front and rear wheel, tailoring them to the contrasting demands placed upon them by rider and trail. Made by We Are One Composites in Kamloops, BC, internal rim width is adjusted to the front and rear wheels to deliver comparatively more compliance out front, and comparatively more impact resistance out back.
Introduction of the DUO Wheels is a part of Industry Nine’s complete overhaul of their current range of carbon wheels, with no fewer than eight new wheelsets announced today. XC Racing, Trail, All-Mountain, Enduro, eMTB and Freeride bases are all covered. Without further ado, here’s a quick overview of each.
Industry Nine DUO Carbon Wheelsets
We are seeing something of a trend across mountain bike wheel manufacturers toward this front and rear-specific approach to wheel design. Indeed, Industry Nine are not the first to engineer wheelsets to take into account the contrasting load cases experienced by the front and rear wheel.
While brands like Crankbothers go a step further by varying spoke count, as well as tailoring the rim profile with their Synthesis wheelsets, Industry Nine are satisfied with changes brought about by tailoring rim profile only.
Across the four DUO carbon wheelsets announced today, all of which run on the 690 POE Hydra hubset, the rear wheel sees a narrower internal rim width than the front wheel. Industry Nine says the new range places emphasis on pinch flat reduction, impact resistance, and ride quality improvements. Specs and pricing on each are right here.
Hydra Trail 300/290 DUO – 24 Hole – XC or Light Trail Riding
- Wheel Sizes: 29″
- Internal Rim Width: 30mm Front, 29mm Rear
- Spoke Count: 24
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,550g
- Tire Width: 2.2″ – 2.5″
- Starting Price: $2,350 USD
Replacing the Industry Nine TR280 wheelset is the TR300/290 DUO. The 28mm internal width rim is replaced by a 30mm rim on the front, and 29mm rim on the rear. The latter also has a wider bead wall to increase strength and reduced risk of pinch flats. Both rims are also 1mm shallower for improved radial compliance.
Hydra Trail 300/290 DUO – 32 Hole – Trail Riding
- Wheel Sizes: 29″
- Internal Rim Width: 30mm Front, 29mm Rear
- Spoke Count: 32
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,640g
- Tire Width: 2.2″ – 2.5″
- Starting Price: $2,380 USD
For harder trail riding, that same rim combination – 30mm out front and 29mm in the rear – is offered in a more robust 32 spoke option.
Hydra Enduro 325/310 DUO – 24 Hole – All-Mountain Endurance
- Wheel Sizes: 29″
- Internal Rim Width: 32.5mm Front, 31mm Rear
- Spoke Count: 24
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,650g
- Tire Width: 2.3″ – 2.6″
- Starting Price: $2,350 USD
Replacing the EN315 Wheelset is the Hydra EN325/310 DUO. The outgoing wheelset’s 31.5mm internal width rims give way to a wider 32.5mm rim on the front, and a narrower 31mm rim on the rear. Again, the bead wall of that rear rim is slightly wider for reduced pinch flat risk and increased strength.
Hydra Enduro 325/310 DUO – 32 Hole – Enduro Riding
- Wheel Sizes: 29″ and MX
- Internal Rim Width: 32.5mm Front, 31mm Rear
- Spoke Count: 32
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,740g (29″) / 1,650g (MX)
- Tire Width: 2.3″ – 2.6″
- Starting Price: $2,380 USD
For out-and-out enduro riding, the abovementioned 325/310 DUO is offered in a 32 spoke option.
More New i9 Wheelsets made with We Are One Carbon Rims
Also released today is the 1,470g Industry Nine UL300, a new lightweight carbon wheelset designed for XC racing. It does not share the DUO concept, but features a now industry-standard 30mm internal rim width for the front and rear wheel. This one replaces the UL280 wheelset. With pricing starting at $2,350 USD, there is no increased cost.
Offering a rim that is 2mm wider and 1mm deeper, the UL300 is said to give increased torsional stiffness and better tire support over the 28mm internal width rims of the UL280 wheelset, with an improved strength to width ratio.
Hydra Ultralite 300 – XC Racing
- Wheel Sizes: 29″
- Internal Rim Width: 30mm Front & Rear
- Spoke Count: 24
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,470g
- Tire Width: 2.2″ – 2.5″
- Starting Price: $2,350 USD
Hydra Enduro 310 – 27.5 Trail or Enduro Riding
- Wheel Sizes: 27.5″
- Internal Rim Width: 31mm Front & Rear
- Spoke Count: 32
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,620g
- Tire Width: 2.3″ – 2.6″
- Starting Price: $2,380 USD
While the EN325/310 DUO wheelset is only available in 29″ and MX options, riders of 27.5″ trail and enduro bikes can turn to the new EN310 wheelset, with a 31mm internal width rim on the front and the rear. This one is offered in a 32 spoke count only.
Hydra Enduro 350 – eMTB
- Wheel Sizes: 27.5″ / 29″ / MX
- Internal Rim Width: 35mm Front & Rear
- Spoke Count: 32
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,770g / 1,870g / 1,785g
- Tire Width: 2.3″ – 2.8″
- Starting Price: $2,380 USD
Featuring the widest carbon rims is the Industry Nine EN350 Wheelset, the brand’s first for eMTB. It is said to have a heavier and stronger carbon layup schedule for increased impact strength.
Grade 310 – Freeride, Downhill & Enduro
- Wheel Sizes: 27.5″ / 29″ / MX
- Internal Rim Width: 31mm Front & Rear
- Spoke Count: 32
- Claimed Weight for Set: 1,760g / 1,910g / 1,835g
- Tire Width: 2.3″ – 2.6″
- Starting Price: $2,380 USD
Finally, the Grade 315 wheelset gives way to the new Grade 310. The new 31mm internal width rim is 1mm shallower than the outgoing 31.5mm rim, and again sees a heavier, stronger carbon layup with a wider bead wall for improved impact resistance.
All of Industry Nine’s premium carbon wheelsets are sold with a lifetime warranty that covers the rim, hub shells, spokes, and machined internals. For more information on specs and availability, head to the Industry Nine website.
