Review: Novatec Factor 327 Wheelset

Nov 11, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
Novatec Factor wheels


“What wheels are those?” That question was a common occurrence almost every time I headed for the woods on the Factor 327 wheelset, and in each case required a brief explanation about where these stealthy carbon hoops were born. In a nutshell, Factor is an offshoot of Novatec, and Novatec is an offshoot of JoyTech. Based in Taiwan, JoyTech produces millions of hubs each year, with a strong focus on the OEM market. Novatec's focus is on the higher end side of the market, which is where the Factor carbon wheels fit in.

Factor 327 Details
• Intended use: all-mountain / enduro
• Wheel size: 27.5"
• Rims: carbon fiber, 23mm internal width
• 3° between engagement points
• Driver: Shimano or SRAM XD
• Hub options: 9/15/20mm (front); QR, 10,12x135, 142x12mm (rear)
• Weight (actual, w/ rim strip): 1830 grams
• novatecusa.net/factor

Aimed at satisfying the needs of all-mountain riders and enduro racers, the Factor 327's carbon fiber rims measure 30mm externally, 23mm internally, and use a traditional bead hook design rather than the hookless design that's become more prevalent over the last few seasons. Those rims are laced up to Novatec hubs with 28 spokes for the front wheel and 32 for the rear using bladed J-bend spokes. Equipped with a Shimano-compatible freehub body and the tubeless tape that provided by Novatec, our test set of 27.5” wheels weighed 1830 grams. MSRP is $1800 USD.


Novatec Factor wheels
60 engagement teeth reside inside the hub shell.
Novatec Factor wheels
The pawls are oriented so one set of three engages at a time, giving the freehub a minimal 3 degrees between points of engagement.


Construction

According to Novatec, the high compaction carbon fiber used to construct the Factor 327's rims is reinforced with Matrisilk, fibers that are intended to increase the carbon's strength and durability, similar to the function of rebar in a concrete structure. The extra deep rim profile (they measure 32mm tall) is also designed to add stiffness, and allows slightly shorter spokes to be used.

Novatec's XD602SB rear hub may not have the catchiest name, but it's not lacking when it comes to desirable features. One of the hallmarks of a high end wheelset is a quick engaging hub, and by using 60 engagement teeth combined with 6 double-toothed pawls, Novatec is able to achieve a very quick 3 degrees of rotation between engagement points. The pawls are slightly offset, so that three pawls engage at a time, while the double teeth on each pawl are intended to keep them from slipping at inopportune moments, like when you're putting everything you've got into beating your buddy to the top of a steep hill. There's a thick rubber seal in place to help keep water from making its way into the pawls, and our wheelset came with a more-than-generous helping of grease to keep everything rust-free.


Novatec Factor wheels
The Factor wheels use a hooked bead rim profile and have an internal width of 23mm.
Novatec Factor wheels
The silver spokes on each side of the nipple hole are a nice touch, giving the wheels a custom built appearance.


Installation

Setting up the Factor 327 wheels tubeless didn't pose any major problems – the various tires used during testing fit snugly, but not inordinately so, and in all cases it was possible to get everything seated and sealed using a floor pump. The deeper dish profile does require a slightly longer valve stem, but there are plenty of options currently on the market, although it's not a bad idea to toss a valve extender into your pack to prevent the worst-case-scenario of going to fix a flat only to find out that your tube's valve stem isn't long enough.


On the Trail

There's no doubt about it, this is one seriously stiff set of wheels. I'd previously been running a pair of aluminum wheels with similar dimensions and a similar weight, and within the first few hundred yards of rugged trail the difference in stiffness was immediate noticeable. Now, it is possible for wheels to be too stiff, but that wasn't the case with the Factors – they never felt overly harsh, although the fact that they were mounted to a bike with 150mm of travel did help out. More than anything, they felt extremely precise and responsive, no matter how hard they were pushed through corners or plowed through rough terrain. Stomping on the pedals to sprint out of a turn or power up a hill was always met with a crisp transfer of power, and the freehub pawls clicked smoothly, without slipping or emitting any pops of complaint. With a weight of 1830 grams this isn't the lightest carbon (or aluminum) wheelset out there, but all the same it never felt sluggish or unwieldy when accelerating from a standstill.

Regarding durability, we didn't hold back during our time on these wheels – they were used by multiple riders on some of the steepest and chunkiest trails around, with conditions ranging from moon dust to deep mud, and emerged relatively unscathed. I was certain that there would be some water or grit behind the freehub body, but the rubber seal worked perfectly to keep the elements at bay. The rear wheel did develop a slight wobble after a not-so-smooth landing, but a few minutes on the truing stand got everything straightened out again. I also managed to slightly burp the rear tire once after landing a little sideways into a turn, but the tire stayed mounted to the rim, and held enough air pressure to finish the run. Other than that instance, there weren't any issues running 2.3" tires around 25 psi.



Pinkbike's Take
bigquotesIf I were writing this review a few seasons ago, this would be the point where I wholeheartedly endorsed the Factor 327 wheelset. After all, they're stiff and reliable, with an excellent ride quality out on the trail, and they've got the looks to match. The trouble is, they're a little late to the party, and there are a number of wider, lighter, and less expensive carbon wheels on the market. However, that doesn't mean they should be ruled out completely, and for riders who prioritize strength and durability over rim width and weight these may fit the bill. - Mike Kazimer


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143 Comments
  • 75 0
 I was really hoping that it was going to be a light bicycle wheelset with novatec hub for 500 bucks.
  • 13 2
 Hope Pro II laced to DT-Swiss EX500. Strong, lite, and within your price range.
  • 9 0
 You can still just go to LB website and get that wheelset you were hoping for.
  • 3 1
 I'm not in the market at the moment. Good points though guys. I've got DT 630FR's laced to DT 350 hubs. Dream wheelset finally done. Built by hand. Gonna last forever for me.
  • 2 0
 Probably would LB wheelset for a 27.5 or a 29'er on my next bike.

At which point... the 630's are going on the dirt jumper Big Grin
  • 1 1
 a dollar a gram...ya I am ordering LightBicycle am and that is when my Crossmax sx's are dead. Nice try Joy.
  • 2 3
 I'm going to take my hard earned money and buy...Novatec? Nope.
  • 3 0
 Ryan,, you might already be without noticing it. They make hubs and rims for a wide variety of brands that are essentially rebadging Novatec stuff. I have ended up lacing Stans Rims to Novatec 4 in 1 hubs (so you can swap out any and all pre boost axel standards) for a good few years now and they have been rock solid.
  • 4 7
 Best hub I've ever ridden and by 3 degrees he means 240 points of engagement, almost double of chris king or I9 and cheaper to boot... I have that rear hub laced to light bike 30mm's been bombproof for 800 miles...
  • 8 14
flag Try-All (Nov 12, 2015 at 10:33) (Below Threshold)
 @Manchvegas are you f*cking retarded? 3 degrees is 120 points of engagement, the exact same as i9. Also Novatech should design their own shit and not steal it from i9.
  • 7 4
 before all you neg rep trolls get too carried away by someone without all the facts that likes to use foul language to try an look like they know what they are talking about... these wheels have been out since sea otter 2013 and were run by Kyle Strait first and yes, they have 240 POE, if you don't take my word for it, you can listen to novatec tell you themselves here... www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/Novatec-2013-Sea-Otter-Classic,20581/faultlinetv,5726 Trolls, be trollin... @Try-All
  • 4 14
flag Try-All (Nov 12, 2015 at 13:03) (Below Threshold)
 If those hubs were running a 240 POE then it wouldn't be 3 degrees, it would be 1.5. It's pretty simple math fuckwit. Maybe you should look at something the company is making and not something from 2013.
  • 8 0
 Try-All, the novatec hubs have two sets of pawls that are offset slightly, this effectively doubles the number of engagement points. You are right about these being industry 9 rip-offs though. These wheels are way too expensive for what they are. Also, don't be a jerk.
  • 4 0
 This has gone way too far down the rabbit hole. @Try-All is correct, a 60 tooth drive ring, with a set of three pawls would get you 6 degrees of engagement. Since this uses a second set of offeset pawls, it doubles the engagement, and brings it to 3 degrees. The stepped pawl design is there for additional contact with the drive ring, to prevent slipping/damage under high loads.

@manchvegas You might have been a little off, but no one can judge a New Hampshirite. Live Free Or Die,
  • 3 0
 agreed, after thinking about it 360 divided by 3, yeah, 120... I get it. If all six stepped pawls were engaged though it would be 240 with 1.5* Still, no reason to be a dick about it...
  • 1 1
 Also, I've had this hub for a while. (you can buy the hubs separately) and so what if it's an I9 knockoff ? It's half the price of an I9 or Chris king and has been flawless for many miles...
  • 1 0
 As the owner of two sets of LB wheels, I couldn't be much happier with them (Besides their limited Novatec hub range available). But in the last year or so quite a few competitors have entered the market with similar rims and lower prices.
  • 1 0
 Like whom? Much interest.
  • 55 7
 When riders like Jared Graves are using aluminum hoops with "not super tight spokes" for flex, and Yoann Barelli doesn't trust carbon rims in a race, makes me wonder why should anyone else buy a set of carbon rims?
  • 37 1
 Because.
  • 4 1
 same reason why 23mm width is too narrow, because, yknow, most winning eduro racers dont already use 23mm anyways
  • 13 6
 Maybe those guys just say so because they have to ride what they get from the sponsor.
  • 16 2
 Because us mortals need a way to get faster. Graves and Barelli would be fast on lead rims
  • 18 1
 Graves is sponsored by DT Swiss. They have carbon rims. He races alu rims. Why?
  • 17 0
 i think its to do with the fact that if it does break in a race they have a 5 minute penalty if a replacement is fitted, an alloy rim can be beaten and bent back into shape. CF not so much.
  • 32 9
 I think we can't know why are they riding what they are riding... we are all temporary agglomerations of atoms that were colliding through billions of years, we become a life form that comes to this world through love flaps, already formed by genes that will steer all our lives, then we have our parents and education, all in environments creating infinite numbers of possibilities and limitations. Out of that comes a choice of a rim for Enduro race. We may delight ourselves with the beauty of bliss provided by these two expressions: "I don't know" and "I don't give a f*ck"
  • 10 16
flag torero (Nov 11, 2015 at 5:18) (Below Threshold)
 Alu is better. Carbon is only good for roadies and XC.
  • 4 2
 Carbon can be too stiff. A square edge hit that would destroy a tire on a carbon rim might be fine on an alloy rim. The alloy rim can and will bend and maybe let you finish the run but a carbon rim won't deform in the same way.
  • 8 5
 As much as I do dislike Carbon rims for AM riding because as you say carbon can be too stiff, it is extremely unlikely for it to fail to an extent not allowing you to finish the run. I saw people running cracked rims for months. Carbon rims tend to crack around the hit but keep the composure around the crime scene. The real problem starts when you go tubeless as this means game over. while even dented alu rims are more likely to keep air. In reality you could even treat such crack with epoxy and be fine with it, but whenwe talk super expensive rims, that feels a bit off. It is the price that negates the usage. When you buy Ti frame it actually is better than alu or steel in every single aspect.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns would you ride DH on a cracked rim?
  • 4 5
 No, but I know a dude who did rode AM on one for almost a year. I also know a dude who glued a broken Scott Genius LT. Having said that, it is not my game. I can be ok with a welded 200$ hardtail or a 20$ rim bent back to relative normalcy by viciously stomping on it, but when carbon cash comes into play I expect the claimed resilience. I can buy a carbon frame on sale any time of the day, hell I'd buy a fork with carbon crown, bars and brake levers as a last resort but the rest is not my piece of cake. I just meant that while there is a lot to dislike, there is no point in exaggerating things
  • 5 0
 isnt gwin on dt swiss alloy rims as well?
  • 1 3
 You know you can actually repair carbon fairly easily too. Way easier than aluminum.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RDG1MQ0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
  • 4 1
 @dpfeiff12 lol thats not repairing it...thats covering it. Big difference Once the material has cracked its cracked, period.
  • 1 0
 Buddy has been riding dh on a repaired carbon rim for 3 months now
  • 4 0
 Syndicate uses enve's...
  • 3 0
 In my opinion for the avarage rider carbon is better, but not a necessity. Most of us will enjoy more the lighter wheel and not really feel the extra stiffness. However people like Graves ride on another level and are actually capable of breaking carbon wheels. Regarding repairing carbon, thats really not a solution mid-race for these guys.
  • 1 2
 same reason they have those GAUDY ass ENVE decals, just trying to show off they spent too much money.
  • 34 8
 The Emperor has no clothes? Really, carbon wheels: (1) cost 3 to 5 times more than aluminum, (2) are not lighter, (3) are arguably more prone to failure, (4) are not used in competition by many pros because they are too stiff, and ... (5) don't even look as good as an anodized aluminum rim because nobody shows the cool carbon wave any longer.

Get a nice set of Notubes Arch or Flows for $450 and live happy thereafter.
  • 10 1
 Agreed.
  • 13 0
 Has it occurred to you that many pros do not have a carbon wheel sponsor? Are Enve wheels holding back Ratboy and Minnar? I'm not convinced that what you see spinning on pro's bikes is the best indicator of anything. I'm not in favor or against carbon wheels. I have not bought them because I simply don't have that kind of money. If someone gave me a killer deal? Money out of the equation I would whole heartedly rock a set. No question.
  • 6 3
 Sorry Emperors new clothes have ENVE written above "handwash only". 1800$ is for upper class wannabies. @DARKSTAR63 DT Swiss used to make enduro carbon rim. ZTR, Mavic and WTB don't make ones. We'll see how it goes for Sunringle in coming years. We just covered 90% of high performance rims on enduro/DH circuit. It is up to sponsorship indeed. However I will not sponsor companies making carbon rims sponsoring riders.
  • 1 0
 Like I said, it's a luxury item. I don't see the advantage and therefore won't spend the money. All rims have a short hard life when you are racing bikes. Unless you have serious coin you have to keep it reasonable in this area. I don't think there is room in the market for everyone to sell carbon hoops. It's a niche item, that's all there is to it, I don't suspect a big conspiracy.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns Stans is making a carbon enduro rim. Check out the Bravo
  • 18 1
 I hate when people push a competitor's product on a review... but I'm gonna do it.

Nox Composites... look em' up. And why the heck hasn't PB reviewed a set?!

Just like he said, these wheels seem like too little, top late to the carbon party. Especially for the $$
  • 16 16
 why do i hate it when people call wheels "hoops" ? anoying. F'ing anoying
  • 7 0
 Like calling a helmet a lid.
  • 3 0
 Cool that they're from Tennessee.. I like it there. But no 26! Frown
  • 6 3
 @gooutsidetoday - go inside today, call Nox composites and tell them to send wheelset to Pinkbike for a test. I like you ambition, but we must understand that although consciousness can in fact affect things in the universe, it is not that powerful to make an object go back in time and appear at Pinkbike HQ so that you can read a comparative review when you want it. If you haven't read it here then it is highly probable and loical to think, that they haven't yet received such product for testing or they haven't yet written an article about it. Be patient and plan for the best. No disrespect nor harm meant - I am taking my antidepressants and listening to lectures of astro-physicists.
  • 6 0
 Tennessee, China?
  • 2 1
 I'm pretty sure that the Nox carbons are the lowest quality rims I've seen. A 130lb. girl that isn't aggressive broke two in a row in two runs. Then another guy I race with broke his first run.
  • 1 0
 I don't claim to be a shredder, but I've rode my Nox Composites Teocalli 275's at Keystone Bike Park for 2 days solid, I've rode the Monarch Crest Trail, and some other rough/rocky trails and have about 700 miles now on them.. And I'm 265lbs. They're on my SB5c. I know several other guys who run the same wheel, and it's the same story. They're exceptionally good wheels @dualsuspensiondave
  • 16 2
 $1800? wtf? I bought a set of 29er 'light bicycle" wheels, with novatec hubs 30/35 mm wide rims 700.00 shipped . I weigh 230, and beat them, almost a year and so far no issues. and they weigh the same as those.
  • 1 0
 What hubs did u get 771/772 or the 881/882?
My first LB set came with hope2pro, but after riding aluminium set with novatec hubs I figured that the price difference is not worth it. Want to order my second carbon set now and cant decide which novatec hubs to get.
  • 2 0
 Novatec hubs are pretty good, but if you want to set the wheels up with higher spoke tension [mine were set to an average of 120 kgf], they tend not to last very long. I warped the bearing seat on mine and there is now a slight amount of play in one direction.

My suggestion would be to spend a bit extra on the hope set, I think it is an extra 100-150; to replace my novatec 772 rear is already 50... Plus I already had to replace both sets of bearings. If you don't mind fiddling with the novatec's it will probably save you a little.
  • 10 0
 Lets see..
Roval Fattie SL's : 30mm internal width, DT Swiss hubs, 1580gr's, $1500
-OR-
Novatec 327s: 23mm internal width, NOVATEC hubs, $1880gr's, $1800
Hmmmmmmmm.....
  • 3 0
 even the ALU fatties weigh less than the Novatecs, and are less than half the price. tough sell
  • 11 1
 Stopped reading after I saw $1800.
  • 10 0
 Somebody sell me your 26" wheelset
  • 9 0
 Novatec & $1800... yeah, no thanks.
  • 7 2
 Don't worry, Black Friday is coming and the ordinary laws of markets will be bent as if a paralell universe got too close. Stuff will be bought based on % of sale, blood will be shed, the rich will be torn out of their comfort, thrown to the streets, into the cold that we endure everyday.
  • 1 0
 Revolution!
  • 6 1
 For the same money, you could have a custom wheel builder build you a set with Nox rims, DT Swiss 240 hubs, and Sapim spokes, shipped to your doorstep. Wider (29 mm inside width) and 100 g lighter, too.
  • 8 0
 my crossmax sx are lighter and cheaper. no thank you
  • 4 0
 I'll never buy a set of Novatecs again. Freehub ate itself after a year of riding. It literally got destroyed just from being ridden. The pawls over-engaged, and started to tear back the housing. It was IMPOSSIBLE to find a replacement freehub for that no-name brand hub (SpeedTuned?). I ended up getting a Hadley, which I'm super happy with.
  • 3 1
 X 2 on the Hadley's. They might not have a good website (or one at all), but they make hubs that last decades, not just a season or two.
  • 5 0
 I didn't realize that left field went that far out ...

recently ordered a l-b 38/32i AM 27.5 wheel set built with BHS hubs, will cost me $800 all in and weigh 200g less
  • 6 3
 Or get yourself some mavic crossmax enduro. there made of this indestructible (ha!) supposedly cheap amazing stuff called cheeasal (or summat like that) that never needs truing (double ha) and the bearings last forever honest.(as long as you don't loose that cheap plastic special tool) and the rims are so narrow that the tire never rolls of! (as long as you don't go round a corner or land hard or use less than 35 psi and weigh more than a puppy)
there perfect. o no wait they cost more than carbon. oops my bad sorry. best stick to the lead hope wheels then, plus should help stave of radiation sickness if you ride alot of granite.
  • 3 1
 My Crossmax have been bullet proof.
Had the Enduros. Now on the newer Ltd. version.
Stiff, light, strong and they feel great.
Hubs are ultra reliable and a breeze to service.
23mm internal may not make very one happy but they've been perfect with the Vigilante/Ardent tire combo I run (and many other tires I've tried too).
Look great too - those French have a way with style.
  • 3 0
 Have to admit, I had some Novatec hubs that didn't last long at all. But, I've had other Taiwanese hubs do the same, always trouble with the pawls not engaging on the teeth without slipping. Best hubs, anyone, for long term service and light weight?
  • 1 0
 I had a really frustrating issue with a Novatec hub as well.
  • 2 1
 i9's, all the way.
  • 2 0
 Long lasting and dead easy to service = DT Swiss. Their only drawback is engagement. If you want high engagement go I9.
  • 2 0
 Like others have mentioned I9 are good. Though I prefer Hadley hubs. High engagement and lower rolling resistance than I9s.
  • 2 0
 Hooked rim profile, 23mm int and 1830 grams,1800 USD. These are facts that do not match with each other. too heavy too narrow for some and too damn expensive! my alu wheelset is 23mm int.,1740 gr with rimstrp and 250 euros. they are quite stiff, they required truing once after too seasons and quite srong too. why should anybody buy this concidering the other carbon options in the market?
  • 8 5
 I'm sorry, but I will never trust carbon rims. I get that they're stronger and lighter, but I have this fear with pretty much all carbon components that someday I'll be riding along and they will snap for no damn reason.
  • 29 9
 That's an irrational fear.
  • 11 15
flag Matt76 (Nov 10, 2015 at 23:35) (Below Threshold)
 @seraph. No it's not!
  • 9 3
 @Matt76 Yes. Yes it is.
  • 4 8
flag WasatchEnduro (Nov 11, 2015 at 8:59) (Below Threshold)
 No. No it's not.
  • 2 1
 not
  • 3 1
 Irrational fear.
  • 2 0
 nuh uh
  • 3 0
 What's your frame of reference? Are you paralyzed because of carbon wheel failure? Have you even seen failure in person?

All my bikes have carbon wheels and I'm a heavier rider, no issues ever.
  • 1 0
 actually one time my friend's carbon bars snapped on a ride and he sliced his chest open. That's probably where my fear comes from. While a realize that carbon is stronger, It snaps instead of bends. That's what I'm afraid of. Sure, if you just replace them every few years, you'll be fine, but I don't mind the weight and plus I'll save a few bucks. But if you wanna use carbon, that's fine, and I'm not gonna criticize you for your choices
  • 2 1
 When I decided to go with carbon bars, I bought ENVE as they seem pretty stout and I felt more secure about them. They should hold up pretty well.
  • 3 0
 @Alias530 Yes I have. I've been mountain biking for 25 years and have seen many stronger,faster,lighter,better carbon products snap and fail! Wouldn't piss on the stuff if it was on fire. Good luck with yours dude .When it fails catastrophically and unexpectedly let me know .
  • 3 0
 @zephxiii. You hope!!!
  • 4 0
 You can build two sets of LB/240s for that price. And then take your grandparents out for a nice dinner or two. And still have money to spare.
  • 2 0
 Yeah they are stoned if they think they can charge those prices for their brand. Novatec is highly regarded as junk hubs.
  • 2 0
 1800 does seem like a lot of money My WTB KOM i25s hand laced to CK hubs cost like 1300 bucks. They may not be the stiffest rim in the world, but I'd rather splurge on the hubs and have semi-replaceable rims while still having a couple of bucks left over for some sweet rubber. Or you could build up a wheelset with some Frequencys or Flows if you really want stiffness for not a huge weight penalty. If I went to carbon rims it would only be to have rims that were wider and lighter than what alu could offer, otherwise I don't really see the point of a much more expensive carbon wheelset.
  • 4 0
 60 engagement teeth reside inside the hub shell, but with 3 degrees engagment point? Hows that possible?
  • 1 0
 First thing that confused me too! Stupid calculator is giving me the wrong answer.
  • 6 0
 360 divided by 60 is 6. So if you had only one pawl, you would get 6 degree engagement. But this hub has two (sets of) pawls that engage out of phase with each other, reducing the engagement angle to 3 degrees.
  • 2 0
 Did you read the article? "by using 60 engagement teeth combined with 6 double-toothed pawls, Novatec is able to achieve a very quick 3 degrees of rotation between engagement points. The pawls are slightly offset, so that three pawls engage at a time, while the double teeth on each pawl are intended to keep them from slipping at inopportune moments".

360 degrees / 60 engagement teeth = 6 degrees between each engagement point. Offset one of the sets of pawls by 50% and you get your 3 degrees.
  • 2 0
 thrse are the best sounding hubs i've ever heard. i'll never buy any, but i literally held my mate's bike up for a minute to listen to the sound. i even made my wife listen to it. unreal sound.
  • 5 0
 Industry Nine called -they want their design back.
  • 1 0
 This wheelset appears to be the worst of all worlds... Almost. Not wide, not light, not cheap... Yes stiff. Ibis 741/941 with DT350 or Light Bike Carbon Rims + hub of your choice for 700-1500 MSRP are both vastly superior options.
  • 1 0
 worst hubs ever. Pretty sure spank uses a cheaper version of these and I've destroyed two of them already. The engagement rim on the inside of the body breaks free under high torque. Pretty sure it will happen on these, since adding more points on engagement wont help with this issue.
  • 2 0
 Everyone should check out zelvy carbon if your in the market for carbon wheels by far a better product
www.zelvycarbon.com
  • 1 1
 Too narrow. You can easily build up a dtswiss or hope hubset and any one of many aluminum rim choices that are a modern width at the same weight or within 50 grams less than half the money. If you destroy a rear rim a year like I do you replace another $70-$100 rim after salvaging your thrashed rim for a season and viola! Good to go for another season! Affordable to do the same with this rim? Easy to find a matching replacement?
  • 1 0
 Oh Pinkbike...Common sense dictates that something that is worse than (in the case with this particular wheelset) another product option that is less than half the price is a "no brainer." As in; If you buy the $1800 wheelset you have no brain. Or hate the idea of having money, retiring early, spending more time with family, being able to afford MTB vacations, the list goes on.
  • 1 0
 If these are anything like reputable carbon wheels, they'll last more than a season. I'm not advocating THESE wheels, but GOOD carbon (Roval, ENVE, etc) will last.
  • 1 0
 No 26", will buy then!


Carbon is still too expensive in wheels. I got my Superstar carbon AM wheels for under £400 during one of their 'offer code' periods. Lighter than these too.
  • 4 0
 too expensive, too narrow & two years behind the rest
  • 1 0
 I'm still not sold on carbon parts. Im so afraid of riding my bike to the trail head and having my carbon wheels, bars seatpost, frame and brake levers simultaneously explode. That happens with carbon right?
  • 1 0
 Good looking wheel set but not for the price! You can build up a better wheel set that's cheaper and lighter. For the person that can't be bothered to shop around or build a custom wheel, I guess these will fit the bill!
  • 1 0
 Why is the picture quality beyond poor? Lately all the pictures posted bring me back to the days of mario bros and large, block-like pixels. Minus the fun.
  • 2 2
 Dumb article start doing articles about how one can build a nice wheelset with aluminum rims and bladed spokes relatively cheap that are just as light as these over priced plastic wheels
  • 3 1
 Far too narrow, 28 to 30 id is where its at now.
  • 1 0
 Blackhawk Wheel Co rims are also pretty skookum for AM/Enduro/Downhill.

www.blackhawkwheelco.com
  • 2 0
 327! I had that motor in my 69 Camaro. I'd rather have a 427.
  • 2 1
 Lol. In what world would it be a good idra to jump into the carbon wheelset market, especially with THAT price... Good luck.
  • 3 2
 Every carbon rim will eventually break, longest I've had one last was 13 months. Not. Rich. Enough.
  • 5 1
 Over a long enough timeline, absolutely everything on a bike will break though.
  • 5 0
 Of course, that cliche applies to everything and rationalizes nothing. I would rather my shit live a long and prosperous life. But when the time comes there is nothing worse than sending a $400 carbon rim to the dumpster when you can, instead, send a $100 alloy rim to the recycler.
  • 2 0
 Carbon fibre can be recycled though it must be said.
  • 4 0
 Technically, yes. But the infrastructure to do so is lacking. I have several aluminum recycling options within minutes but zero carbon recycling options within 150 miles.
  • 2 0
 My only question is: WHY?
  • 3 0
 1800$ holy cow
  • 2 0
 not even straight pull hubs
  • 2 1
 Over priced wheelset that have no benefits to them other than draining your wallet.
  • 2 0
 1800 holy us dollar ? light bicycle ftw if you want carbon rims.
  • 3 1
 Derby wheels with i9 hubs. Win win.
  • 2 0
 Hooked bead, narrow width and not in 26.... Lame!
  • 1 0
 Why debut a product without it having the most current standards? oh because they make standards all the time.......
  • 2 0
 Stiff heavy expensive.Whats not to like?
  • 4 2
 1$ per gram! Not bad!
  • 6 0
 1730g for my flow ex's on hope pro 2 evo, all for 650!
  • 7 0
 a dollar a gram?!!?

sign me up.
  • 2 0
 26" it's life . Smile
  • 3 6
 Always makes me laugh when you see manufacturers saying "we've done this and that to make the carbon stronger and more durable" You never ever hear that with aluminium rims do you! Que the carbon fan boys!!
  • 10 1
 Matt76 - why are you so weirdly anti carbon in all your posts... its like carbon ran off with your missus or something. Stop being such a Luddite.
  • 5 1
 So wrong it is almost funny.

As an example, SRAM Rail 50 - Described by sram as 'An alloy wheel that does what other alloy rims can't'.

'WIDE ANGLE rim design for superior stability' - Capital letters their choice in it's description - 'WIDE ANGLE™
Take corners as fast as you want. SRAM wheels have a wider rim profile without significant added mass. This profile holds tire shape better, preventing tire roll and giving you superior comfort and traction around corners.
19mm XC Racing
21mm Trail
23mm All-Mountain'

'TAPER CORE Profile' - Capital letters their choice in it's description. 'TAPER CORE™
Strong in the right places. The sidewalls of SRAM rims are reinforced along the wings to withstand major impact. But the sidewalls then taper in along the center—reducing overall mass. The result is a very light rim with excellent dent resistance.'

'SOLO SPOKE design with stiff steel spokes' - Capital letters their choice, and also no other wheel has stiff spokes!



Wow, 23mm internal width . . . . stiff spokes . . . . thicker material used . . . . Innovations each and every one I'm sure you will agree. All on an Alloy rim no less. And that is just the first wheel that came up on google. I imagine most others would just prove you completely wrong @Matt76
  • 3 0
 Everyone does it. Alloy or carbon. To pretend otherwise is just not true.
  • 1 4
 @Karve. No......I just live in the real world and I'm not won over by sponsered riders or marketing bullshit.
  • 3 0
 sounds more like you live in a closed minded world to me ...
  • 1 0
 Its called realistic dude.
  • 2 1
 well, no, noooway
  • 1 0
 what the f is matrisilk
  • 3 4
 Worst. Hubs. Ever.
  • 2 5
 1800$ and NO eyelets ? Yeah it is technology!
Also 27.5 - its boring!
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