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Just In: Custom WTB Scraper 27.5+ Wheelset with Industry Nine Torch Fat Bike Hubs

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WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (16)

Depending on your point of view, 27.5+ is either an intriguing new size, or a terrible half measure that doesn’t provide any real advantages. The latter is a little hard to back up given that most of us haven’t actually ridden any of the 27.5+ products yet. We would be lying if we said we weren’t at least a little interested in trying out the new size, especially as it pertains to fat bikes. While many riders have already been building up 29+ wheelsets to convert their fat bikes for summer duty, the added girth usually results in a higher bottom bracket and noticeable changes in handling.

Will a 27.5+ set up be the perfect wheel swap for fat bikes? Will all Enduro wheels and tires eventually fatten up so that 27.5+ will become the new middle ground? We’re not sure, but we are excited to do some experimenting starting with the WTB Scraper rims…

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (3)

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (5) WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (4)

Measuring a full 45mm internally with a 49mm external width, the Scraper seems to qualify for the + designation. Next to something like the Ibis 741 27.5″ wheels, the Scrapers don’t appear comically wide, until you realize the 741s are gargantuan compared to rims we were all riding just a few years ago. As one of the first commercially available 27.5″ rims, the Scraper will also be offered in a 29″ diameter to satisfy the 29+ plus crowd though WTB has no plans for a 29″ version of the Trailblazer 27.5×2.8″ tire (more on that later).

The rim uses a double wall construction that is still fairly low profile. Connected with a welded seam, the WT69 alloy rim uses WTB’s 4D angled drilling and an eyelet-less design.

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (6)

Relying on WTB’s TCS tubeless standard, the Scraper is sealed with tubeless tape and a pair of TCS valves.

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (8)

On the scale, rim comes in at 695g which isn’t super light, but should be plenty light to build a faster summer wheelset if that’s your goal.

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (9)

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (11) WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (14)

We chose to build the Scrapers to a pair of Industry 9 fat bike hubs so they would be a direct swap for my personal Borealis Echo. That means a 197×12 rear and 150x15mm front hub which for I9 is a 135mm fat bike front hub with a 15mm drive side adapter. Currently, it seems like this will be the most common use for 27.5+ wheels and tires since most 27.5″ mountain bike frames probably won’t have clearance for the monster treads.

At this point Industry 9’s hubs probably need no introduction, but they are manufactured in Asheville, NC and include some of the highest quality materials you can find. After riding a different pair of I9 hubs on a fat bike all winter, they are still spinning like new which is no small feat considering how sloppy this winter has been.

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (7) WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (12)

At 187 for the front and 356g for the rear, the I9 Torch hubs will certainly help keep the total wheelset weight down.

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (18)

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (17)

WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (1) WTB scraper 27.5 + mid fat wheels i9 industry nine torch hubs (19)

One look at the purple ano of the hubs was all we needed to decide on matching purple aluminum nipples from Wheelsmith. The build finished with32 Wheelsmith DB 14/15g spokes per wheel. After prepping the spokes and using some Phil’s Tenacious oil on the spoke holes where the nipple’s shoulders will rub, the wheelset built up with little fuss. Exactly what you want when building a wheel. The final product

As soon as the Trailblazer 2.8″ tires roll into stock we plan to do a full comparison between a large 27.5″ tire and a 27.5+ to see how the new size actually stacks up. Until then, you can purchase your own Scraper rims from WTB for $149.95.

wtb.com

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dave
dave
9 years ago

you will be comparing a Geax Goma 2.4″?

James S
James S
9 years ago

Actually, the WTB Trailblazer 27.5+ tire is sized so that it fits in a lot of 29er frames. I have seen pictures of a Kona Process 111 with these tires on it (and 27.5 wheels, of course). That might actually be a more common application than as a summer tire for fat bikes.

Adam
Adam
9 years ago

I have a pair of Trailblazers on Velocity blunts on my Tallboy. While the novelty was fun at first, the wheels are about 30mm shorter, tires and rims are quite a bit heavier than the Arch/Ardent 29″ wheels. Mixed feelings, at 6’2″ a 29+ full suspension setup would be more fun IMHO. I think some wide/light 29+ carbon wheels and tires would weigh the same and offer even better volume/roll-over.

craigsj
craigsj
9 years ago

Second dave’s request. Also compare against WTB’s own Breakout 2.5 and Trail Boss 2.4 using the same rims.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

Indeed, everything I’ve seen about 27.5+ is that’s for making standard 29″ frames into midfat bikes, not faster wheels on fatbikes. This is, in fact, the first I’ve even seen it considered.

My Scraper for the front showed up last week, seems like a very nice rim(though it should be, for $135.) I’ll be building it up on a On-One Parkwood, which should fit a Trailblazer tire just fine, (though maybe not with an i45. But WTB has said you can run these tires all the way down to a 22mm IW rim.) Now if they can just get the dang tires out the door.

@dave The comparison you wanted: http://twentynineinches.com/2014/10/05/wtb-trailblazer-27-5-x-2-8-tires-exclusive-b-review-final-verdict/

rick rodeghier
rick rodeghier
9 years ago

27.5 is not a new wheel size , it’s been around longer than you have !

Luke
Luke
9 years ago

You cannot just compare weights with 29+ to 27.5+. Even at the same weight, 29+ will be noticably heavier feeling due to the radius, and the force equation. I drank the 29er cool aid, owned a rigid, hardtail, and 160mm full sus 29er, and found in the end, a 26″ bike is the best for me. 27.5+ would be a great way to put new life into my 29er fully, as I feel the rollover is such a slight difference, that it doesn’t matter more than the force required to spin those things. But I’m a small dude at 5’7″.

craigsj
craigsj
9 years ago

“You cannot just compare weights with 29+ to 27.5+. Even at the same weight, 29+ will be noticably heavier feeling due to the radius, and the force equation. ”

This is wrong. All that matters is weight, the larger wheel rolls slower and thus cancels out the effect of the larger radius. You can simply compare weights.

@groghunter the comparison you reference is filled with factual errors. Would like to see an unbiased comparison including side-by-side photos.

John bryant
John bryant
9 years ago

I made up some 27.5 velocity “Dually’s”which are 39mm int 45 od,front has veetire 3.25 and back will have 2.8 when we can buy them??.Hubs are project 321 all put in an a 29 frame,great in SS.Oh rim weight is 640g.

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