With Trek going all in with the Stache +, it should stand to reason that Bontrager will be offering up a line of plus sized accessories. Already offering the Chupacabra tire for 29+ (27+ Chupacabras are coming), the big story is the addition of the Line Plus wheelset. Borrowing from many of the current Bontrager wheel technologies, the Line Plus is a wider version of their Line mountain bike wheelset that should be a great addition to your bike+ whether you need Boost or standard hubs…
Earning its plus sized moniker from a wider rim section, the Line Plus uses a 44mm external/39mm internal profile that uses proven Bontrager TLR tubeless technology. In addition to offering Boost 148/110 spacing for a stiffer wheel build, the rims use an Offset Spoke Bed for reduced dish and even greater stiffness.
Line Plus wheels will initially be available in 29+ diameters and in either standard 142×12/15×100 or Boost 148×12/15×110 spacing. Both hubsets use a Rapid Drive freehub body and stacked lacing with DT nail head spokes. Weights are claimed to be 2036g for the pair of non-Boost wheels, or 2052g for a set of Boost wheels, with pricing set at $1000.
The Chupacabra tire is currently available in 29×3.0″ with a folding bead, 120 tpi TLR casing. Built with a dual compound 62/60a durometer tread, the tires have a claimed with of 850g and sell for $119.99.
It’s crazy to think that a 33mm external/28mm internal width rim is narrow, but compared to its bigger brother, the Line Elite is a bit skinnier. Meant for aggressive mountain biking or Enduro racing, the Line Elite uses the same TLR and OSB rim design and will be available in both 27.5 and 29″ diameters. Both wheel sizes will be offered in standard 142/100mm hub widths, and there will be a second 29er wheelset available with Boost specific hubs. All of the Line family uses stacked lacing, 28 DT 14/15G spokes with Alpina locking nipples, aluminum rims, 6 bolt rotor mounting, and either Shimano 10/11 or SRAM XD freehub bodies. Pricing is set at $999.98 for the set.
Enduro is all about going as fast as possible while keeping the rubber side down which usually means a delicate balance between tire weight and all out grip. Starting with the tread pattern from the G5 downhill tire, Bontrager introduced Core Strength subtread protection to make the new SE5 Team Issue tire durable enough to survive but light enough to fly. As Bontrager Tire Product Manager Al Clark put it, when they introduced Inner Strength side wall protection to their tires, it decreased side wall cut reports by almost 100%. Pretty impressive and makes Core Strength sound even better as the next level up in protection with a 3 piece breaker instead of Inner Strength’s two.
Available in 27.5 and 29″ sizes, both 2.3″ wide with a 61/50a dual compound, the tires have a claimed weight of 935g for the 27.5 and 990g for the 29″ and will sell for $74.99.
