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Velocity USA Offers New High End Blunt SS Wheelset with Industry Nine Hubs

Written by Zach Overholt
16 Comments
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If you’ve decided you want to upgrade to some wider rims but aren’t looking for something of the carbon variety, Velocity USA has a new option worth checking out. Based on their latest mountain bike rim, the Blunt SS, Velocity is teaming up with another domestic manufacturer for a killer wheelset. Calling it their top shelf mountain bike build, the wheels use equally top shelf hubs in the Industry Nine Torch Series. Combined with DT Swiss Competition double butted spokes and alloy nipples, the wheels still build out to a respectable weight in spite of 32 spokes per wheel and the wide aluminum rims…

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velocity blunt ss rims (1) velocity blunt ss rims (2) velocity blunt ss rims (3) velocity blunt ss rims (4)

Even though it weighs in at just 425g for the 29″ rim, Velocity’s Blunt SS is a stout rim at 30mm wide externally and 26.6mm internally. Reinforced at key areas the rim is designed to resist impacts while a beefed up spoke bed allows for higher tension builds without risk of the nipple pulling through. Running Velocity’s Ibeam bead hook, the rims are tubeless compatible through the use of the company’s own tubeless tape and valve kit that is available with the wheels for an additional $29.99. Available in black, silver, white, and polished (adds $40), each 32 spoke wheelset is built with DT Swiss Competition double butted spokes and Sapim alloy nipples.

Offered in 27.5 or 29″ sizes, both wheelsets will be compatible with most current (not Boost) axle standards thanks to the swappable caps from Industry Nine. Consumers will be able to choose from 9mm qr, 15×100, and 20mm thru axle for the front and 135mm qr, 135×10, 135×12, and 142x12mm thru axles in the rear, but the wheels will only ship with one set of end caps. Remaining end caps for one of the other axle configurations are available through Industry Nine. The Torch hubs also allow for 9/10/11 speed Shimano/SRAM freehubs or the SRAM XD driver.

Starting at $1,049.99, claimed weights are listed at 745g/870g for 27.5” wheels, and 790g/915g in 29″. Hand build in Velocity’s Grand Rapids, MI headquarters, the rims are manufactured in their Jacksonville, FL factory, with the hubs coming out of Asheville, NC.

velocityusa.com
Zach Overholt
5,727 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Wheel science
Wheel science
9 years ago

Velocity has taken a huge step back in quality since moving production from Australia. As a wheel builder I can not recommend any of their products. The seams don’t line up well and you have to convince the rim to be round using uneven spoke tensions. Quality high end rims want to be round naturally and are almost perfectly built by just starting with even spoke tension all the way around. I have not experienced one velocity since the change of production that builds correctly out of dozens built.

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Anthony
Anthony
9 years ago

They missed the boat on those prices.way too much competition like for instance i9 trail wheels with the i9 spokes for the same if not slightly less ? Don’t get it maybe I’m missing something

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-s
-s
9 years ago

I have a set of original Blunts mated to Chub hubs, and a set of P35’s with I9’s. Both sets are killer. These should be a great set of wheels for anybody looking to upgrade.

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mattie d
mattie d
9 years ago

I laced a set of the 29er rims to DT350 hubs, 32/32. Set came in around 1720 IIRC. I’ve dented the bejeezus out of them running 26 psi, but I was able to pull them straight. The rims came in underweight at around 405 per.

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Dustin
Dustin
9 years ago

I just got a set built up with Sapim CX-Ray spokes. Very light and sturdy. I haven’t gotten much riding in on them yet, but the tubeless setup with Maxxis Ardents was by far the easiest I’ve ever experienced. Just mount, soap the bead, and inflate.

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Bob
Bob
9 years ago

“Available in black, silver, white, and polished”

Shouldn’t that read Available in polished, black, silver and blue?

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pile-on
pile-on
9 years ago

@Bob–haha I see blue too, maybe its like that ‘dress’ that was making the interweb rounds awhile back.

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Sevo
Sevo
9 years ago

Anthony-Probably should do some price checking because you’re comments are way off.

The Blunt SS is a hell of a rim. I’m not sure how Velocity did it. Price is reasonable for what it is. Weight is dead on for a narrower rim but it’s a wide rim so even better. Made in the USA. Some of the best rims you can get. The I9 hubs area a nice option for sure, though their stock hubs (velocity’s) are a sleeper value hubset. That said, these may be my next purchase

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RC Speed
RC Speed
9 years ago

Are these rims welded, sleeved, ect?

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Jube
Jube
9 years ago

They look like a nice set of wheels, and it’s nice to see they are using quality hubs from I9. The price does seem a little high for an aluminum rim. For a few dollars more you can get a set of carbon wheels with Hope, King or I9 hubs from Enduroworx. They make killer custom road, mountain and fat bike wheelsets using quality carbon rims. Having a quality wheelset is one of the best upgrades you can do for a bike.

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Anthony
Anthony
9 years ago

@ sevo – how do you figure. I9 torch $1190 usd these are ” starting ” at $ 1049

Why price the wheel at the same Price point as the aluminum i9 with the i9 proprietary spokes ? It better yet pony up another $200 and get the carbon ibis rim with the DT rear Hub.

Still don’t get it. It’s aluminum it should be prices at 800 to 900 max inmo

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Cheese
Cheese
9 years ago

From velocity’s website:
“We use a unique sleeve joining process to create our rims.”

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Jeff
Jeff
9 years ago

@wheelscience – I am finding the same thing with Stans Arch EX.

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Joe
Joe
9 years ago

!00% agree with wheel science there, not sure how velocity is roll forming their rims now but they need to get that rim rounded at the joints!

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Adam
Adam
9 years ago

It is nice to see I9 hubs built up without the silly alloy spokes. Every time I ride with someone that has them they break a spoke. Good luck finding the right length and color when you break one. We are in the east coast rocks and steel spokes hold up much better.

I built up a velocity dually 29er recently and it was the easiest build I have ever done. Possibly due to the width (39mm internal).

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Wheel science
Wheel science
9 years ago

I stand by my statement. Ask any professional wheel builder.

Velocity has an image problem, that problem being they have the image of being high quality and are far from it currently.

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